Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 1st June 2023
Abbot Paul • May 31, 2023
Yesterday was the day I traveled from Belmont to Thessaloniki. It was a wonderfully relaxing day with enjoyable flights, easy passage through airports, especially Frankfurt and Thessaloniki, and the joy of seeing old friends, friends I have known for almost 60 years. Now comes the prospect of a whole week with no specific commitments, time to rest, time to read and the perfect quiet of Mount Chortiartis, where my friends live, way above Thessaloniki, looking out towards the Thermaic Gulf. It’s perfectly quiet here apart from the birdsong, ideal for rest, reading and a little prayer. I plan to take things easy and rest.
It’s four years since I was here and in that time my dear friend has slipped firmly into the grips of Alzheimer’s, so I can see that in some ways it’s going to be a difficult visit. It’s a great blessing to be together again and I thank God who has made this visit possible. We have so many happy memories. It’s good to be in Greece again and to have the opportunity of worshiping in the local Orthodox churches, a form of worship so centred on God and the union of heaven and earth in Christ.
I’ll try to get back to the usual format tomorrow. In the meantime, be assured of my prayers.
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
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
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.