Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday - 25th April 2024
Abbot Paul • April 25, 2024
Yesterday was my last full day in Peru and what a day it was. In addition to all the usual things we do every day in a monastery, the services and periods of reading and prayer, a full programme had been arranged for me. In the morning after Mass, a 20 minute car trip along the PanAmerican Highway to Punta Hermosa, an exclusive beach resort, which many people have now made their permanent home, to have breakfast with a dear friend of the monastic community and of the Cistercian nuns before us. Apart from the wonderful company of a deeply religious lady and retired diplomat, I have never been served such a splendid breakfast in my entire life. It was quite spectacular and included everything you could think of, yet all beautifully understated in its presentation. All this on a balcony overlooking the beach and ocean.
In the afternoon I had the visit of a dear friend for a heart to heart. I served him lunch, but couldn’t bring myself to eat anymore after the breakfast I’d had. The monks had arranged early Vespers, so that a party could take place in my honour. This also involved our oblates and friends of the community, a professional singer with two guitarists and two young professional dancers. There was the most amazing programme of Peruvian music and dancing, plus songs and poems by the monks. As always in Peru, the noise was well above safety levels and my ears are still ringing. Will I ever hear properly again? There were speeches, food and drink in abundance and general dancing of the traditional Peruvian huayno from the Andes. So it’s really very late indeed as I sit to write these few words. I shall leave the Gospel commentary for today, if you don’t mind, as I need to get to bed. Tomorrow, i.e. today is going to be a very long day indeed.
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.
