Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 20th October 2022
Abbot Paul • October 20, 2022
Anyone walking around the gardens at Belmont in the past few weeks will have noticed that St Michael’s star and sword were missing. They were, in fact, being renovated and regilded. Yesterday, in a simple ceremony, they were returned to the patron of Belmont Abbey and now shine gloriously in the bright autumn sunlight. I attach a few photographs to this message. Taking advantage of the hire of a cherry picker, our head gardener and maintenance manager, Mr Elwyn Williams, did the job. We concluded by reciting together the prayer to St Michael.
Our Gospel passage today is somewhat disconcerting, but we must bear in mind that Jesus was contemplating his own Passion, Death and Resurrection while warning his disciples of one of the unfortunate consequences of faithful discipleship. The text is taken from Luke, (Lk 12: 49-53). Jesus begins by telling them, “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!” The baptism he has to receive is the death that leads to life, not only for himself but for all those who will come to believe in him. All four Gospels attest to the anguish and distress this caused Jesus as he suffered in the flesh. The fire he is to bring on earth is the fire of repentance, conversion, faith and baptism that will radically change the world and usher in the kingdom of God, the fruit of Pentecost to be brought about by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Next comes the enigmatic statement that describes divisions in the family and in society caused by allegiance to the faith and the faithful following of Jesus. “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” These words of Jesus not only reflect his own experience on earth but also that of the apostles and their contemporaries, the first generation of Christians. Sadly, it also reflects the experience of Christians through the ages. The faith that should and could unite us often divides us, and not just into denominations or ecclesial bodies. Think of divisions within the Church, brought about by theological, liturgical or political viewpoints or the way we see marriage and divorce, human sexuality and gender issues, and so much more that seems to divide us, often leading the hatred and sectarianism. In the heart of the Church, we continue to pray for unity and fraternal charity, that in Christ we might all be one.
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.
