Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 19th May
Abbot Paul • May 18, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Thursday, 19th May 2022
In England today we keep the feast of St Dunstan, the Benedictine monk, whose life spanned the tenth century, (909 to 988), and who died on 19th May. He was successively Abbot of Glastonbury, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury. He restored monastic life and reformed the English Church. For a long time, the most popular English saint, he was canonised just forty years after his death. At Belmont and in all Benedictine monasteries we also keep two of his contemporaries, St Oswald and St Ethelwold, also monks of the Order, Now, this is St Oswald of York or of Worcester, not the seventh century Northumbrian saint. Born in 925, he was nephew of Archbishop Odo of Canterbury and sent by him to become a monk at Fleury, a centre of reformed Benedictine monasticism in France. In 961, he was consecrated Bishop of Worcester by St Dunstan and collaborated with him in the restoring of Benedictine monastic life to England as well as in the reform of the English Church. In 972 he was appointed Archbishop of York. He died in 992. St Ethelwold of Winchester, (904-984), was one of the leaders of the tenth century monastic reform movement. A close friend and companion of the king Athelstan, he was ordained a priest before entering the monastery of Glastonbury. The king then appointed him Abbot of Abingdon and ordered him to restore the monastery there that had fallen into ruins. He was renowned for his kindness and holiness, but was also a goldsmith of exceptional talent. When I read about these medieval monastic saints, how I long to place myself under their direction and teaching. If only we had men and women of their outstanding calibre and sanctity in the Church today, a Church, I feel, in desperate need of reform and, of course, that goes for monastic life too.
Today’s Gospel reading from John is particularly short, just three verses, (Jn 15: 9-11). “Jesus said to his disciples:
‘As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments
you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
I have told you this
so that my own joy may be in you
and your joy be complete.’”
There’s a deceptively simple beauty and depth to this passage. We are to remain in that love which Christ has received from the Father and has shared with us. This is perfect, divine love, the love of loves, and we remain in his love by keeping his commandments, above all that we should love one another as he has loved us, an unconditional love that knows no limits. We pray that we might always abide in Christ’s love, that his joy be complete and our joy be assured for all eternity. Think of the joy of the saints: that is the joy that will be ours, a joy we often experience even now, in this world.
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.
