Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 16th November 2023
Abbot Paul • November 15, 2023
Yesterday was an extremely busy day for those of us taking part in the Benedictine superiors’ meeting at Ampleforth. I was up well before 5 o’clock although the monastic timetable only begins at 6am with Vigils. The sessions have been intense and demanding, with just a short break after lunch. Today we will have the same exhaustive timetable, which I hope will be as rewarding as yesterday. Tomorrow, the meeting ends and I will be driving back to Belmont. I pray the weather is kind.
In today’s Gospel from Luke, (Lk 17: 20-25), the Pharisees ask Jesus when the kingdom of God is going to come. They fail to grasp the meaning of his reply that it’s not a question of looking to the future, for, in fact, the kingdom is already among them, for where Jesus is, there is the kingdom. “For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.” Speaking with his disciples, he says that before the end of the world takes place with all its attendant signs, the Son of Man “must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.” First must come his Passion, Death and Resurrection. Only then will the time be ready for the end and kingdom to come.
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
Nothing that is precious and dear to God is simply discarded: homily by Abbot Brendan.
Awaken with a Rule! The St Benedict Week Conference at Norwich organised by the Lay Community of St Benedict
Dom Robert Igo OSB Elected President of the English Benedictine Congregation at Historic 100th General Chapter.
We were delighted to welcome back the Old Boys and Girls of the School to mark the centenary of its foundation.
