Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 24th November 2022
Abbot Paul • November 23, 2022
I am always amazed at the amount of time and energy parishioners are willing to expend in the organisation and running of the many events that contribute to the pastoral, liturgical and social life of the parish and its missionary outreach. Last night, Fr Augustine and I attended a meeting of the Belmont Summer Fete Committee. We are there to support and encourage the fantastic ladies who have all the ideas and, with the help of many volunteers, do all the work. Where would we be without them? We are all immensely grateful. And this is the story of most parishes that I know or have worked in. Peru was no different. There, too, ladies did the most extraordinary amount of work, as well as having a job, keeping a home, looking after children and grandparents and keeping an eye on their husbands.
Yesterday was a windswept day with a lot of heavy rain. Walking with Toby between showers in the afternoon, I took the photograph which adorns this short message.
​Today the Church remembers the Vietnamese Martyrs, 117 canonised of the
4,799 who were martyred for the Catholic faith between 1745 and 1862. Christians were martyred in horrific ways in Vietnam, their bodies were mutilated and some were tortured with the use of psychoactive drugs. Many were branded on the face, and whole towns known to hold Christians were wiped out. An 1862 treaty with the French granted religious freedom to Catholics, but did not stop all persecutions throughout the country. Most recently, in the last century, the Communist government tried to purge the nation of religion, and more than 600,000 Christians fled, leaving everything behind. We ask the intercession of the Martyrs and pray for the Church in Vietnam and for Vietnamese Christians throughout the world today.
​In our Gospel reading from Luke, (Lk 21: 20-28), Jesus speaks to his disciples of the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and of the religious persecution that will take place when the Roman Empire turns against Christians. “For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.” Sadly, throughout the history of the Church, persecution has happened many times, and in many countries, and is taking place even today in a number of countries. Christians must always be prepared to suffer persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ and the Christian values he taught. Jesus also speaks of the Second Coming: “They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.” We know neither the day nor the hour, but we must be prepared. Jesus will give us the faith and courage to be brave and to hold our heads high, for he will be with us to grant us the freedom of the beloved children of God.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. 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.
