Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 19th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 19, 2023
We are in the Week or Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity, which began yesterday. Even if you are unable to take part in an ecumenical prayer service in a local church, please do pray at home for this intention for which Christ himself prayed at the Last Supper, when he asked his Heavenly Father, speaking of his disciples, “Father, that they may be one as you and I are one,” such was the strength of the unity he wanted his disciples to share and build upon.
Today is the feast of St Wulstan, the 11th century Benedictine monk and Bishop of Worcester, a truly great Englishman and one of whom we can be proud as Catholics. He was brave enough to stand up to the Norman conquerors and denounce their barbarous customs such as slavery and their gross injustices towards the country they had conquered. He refused to give up his see in favour of a Norman protégé of the King and remained in post until his death on this day in the year 1095.
Today we continue reading from Mark, (Mk 3: 7-12), in which Jesus seeks a moment’s solitude, retiring with his disciples to the lakeside, but huge crowds follow him, not only from Galilee, but from almost every part of Israel. In order to save them from being crushed by the crowds, he asks his disciples to prepare a boat, so that they can distance themselves a little. More and more were coming to be healed and they all wanted to touch him. Unclean spirits would cry out, “You are the Son of God.” He rebuked them, as that was not the way he wanted to be known. Jesus still walks among us today and he wants to heal those who are sick. Let us not run away from him ourselves or discourage others from seeking his presence in their lives.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
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28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.