Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 14th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 14, 2023
I apologise for there being no message today. Yesterday turned out to be such a busy day, that in the end there wasn’t a spare moment to sit down and write. I hope today will be different.
Today we keep the feast of St John of the Cross, the 16th century Spanish Carmelite, known as the Mystical Doctor, for his outstanding writings on prayer and the spiritual life. May he pray for us and the whole Church today, where I believe more prayer and less talk is needed.
Today is also the 23rd anniversary of my election as Abbot of Belmont. The brethren here were reminiscing last night how Br Mario had just made his First Profession and Fr Alex was a novice, when I left Peru for a few days to be present at the election at Belmont, never for a moment imagining that I would be elected abbot. As I begin my 24th and last year, I ask for your prayers as the communities in England and Peru discern the way forward and prepare to elect a new abbot. May St John of the Cross guide our hearts and minds.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
