Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 22nd September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 22, 2022
Yesterday was St Matthew’s day and so the feast day and birthday of our Br Mateo here in Peru. He was born the year following our arrival in Peru in 1981. We had a special lunch with his favourite foods (majado de yuca and ají de gallina) all washed down with fresh maracuya juice and pisco sour, a particular favourite of mine. I’m afraid you’ll have look those up, as I’ve no time to explain! Then this evening, after supper, there was the birthday cake, with a programme of songs and poems. Peruvians take birthdays very seriously, even in monasteries! These celebrations are great at bringing people together. I’ll add a few photos. The rest of the day was taken up with interviews, quite tiring, and a long class with the novices and postulants, great fun.
Our Gospel today comes from Luke, (Lk 9: 7-9), in which Herod expresses his curiosity over the identity of Jesus. Who can he be? Luke tells us that he’s puzzled, when hearing about the wonderful things that Jesus is doing and wonders whether, in fact, this might be Elijah or one of the other prophets of old returned to life, or even John the Baptist. But then, Herod had had John beheaded, so who could Jesus be? Herod had heard so much about Jesus and was now curious to meet him. Sadly, curiosity doesn’t necessarily lead to faith and, in the case of Herod, it certainly didn’t. We pray that our curiosity about Jesus and our Christian faith will lead us to grow in our love of God and our commitment to the Gospel and to Jesus.
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.