Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 16th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 16, 2023
Decorating Paschal Candles
Well, tonight I’m writing this message not in my cell at the monastery, but in a comfortable, air-conditioned lounge at Lima airport. Because several roads were closed due to flooding, Fr Alex brought me by a way we’d not tried before, and amazingly it took half the time we usually take. Sadly, many homes have been flooded and crops and animals lost here around Lima, Lurin and Pachacamac. Yet, this pales into insignificance when compared with northern Peru and such towns as Piura, Chiclayo, Sullana and Tambogrande. Apart from the rains and the intense heat that accompanies them, it’s been a wonderfully fulfilling visit in many ways and I’ve been very impressed again by my Peruvian brethren. Some will be glad to hear that Fr Alex will be at Belmont in September to lead two icon courses: details in due course. I’ll be adding a few photographs of the community as also of the novices painting paschal candles with Fr Alex.
I won’t say much about the Gospel today as I don’t have it before me. It’s from Luke 11 and is about the power by which Jesus casts out devils, as some were complaining that he did so by the power of Satan himself (herself?). But Jesus reminds them that a house divided within itself is bound to fall, so would Satan cast out his own? This is a call for unity in the Church and for unity among Christians against evil of all kinds. Let us join with Jesus in ridding the world of sin and evil, harbouring in the reign of God and his kingdom among us
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
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.
