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.
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.
