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
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.
