Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 13th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 13, 2023
Yesterday was such a lovely day and the weather was so kind to us as we drove down to my mother’s. I’m amazed how engineers and roadbuilders are able to keep the A465 open and traffic flowing while the dual carriageway is being built from the Dowlais Top to Hirwaun, the last section to be constructed. My mother was on good form and had prepared the most wonderful meals for both of us, although it’s noticeable how frail she is becoming. She is such a perfectionist that I wonder how on earth we are going to find suitable help so that she can remain at home as we look ahead. In the afternoon, after a welcome siesta, Toby and I enjoyed a couple of hours on the beach. We only met three other dogs and their owners and two quite spectacular kiteboarders. As a result of our late arrival back at Belmont, today’s message will be very short.
​July 13th marks the feast of St Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, (6th May 973 to 13th July 1024), patron of Benedictine Oblates. I won’t attempt a summary of his rather complicated life, or was it the times that were complicated and the circumstances of his life? In spite of it all, he lived a holy and devout life, dedicated much time to prayer and the care of the poor and founded and endowed monasteries. Though married, he remained celibate and took monastic vows in the Abbey of Verdun, but the Abbot wisely ordered him under obedience to continue to serve as Emperor. It was he who convinced Pope Benedict VIII to include the word ’Filioque’ in the Nicene Creed, which to some extent led sadly to the Great Schism in 1054. We pray today for all our Benedictine oblates throughout the world.
​I won’t comment on today’s Gospel, but here it is:
“Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’”
Mt 10: 7-15
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
