Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 29th September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 29, 2022
Today we keep the feast of St Michael and All Angels, Belmont’s patronal festival, and the day on which many of us took our temporary or solemn vows. Today is very special to Dom Simon and Dom Leo, as they celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of their Monastic Profession, so our special prayers and congratulations to them. Sadly, I won’t be there to join in the celebrations, although we will be offering Mass for them in Peru, remembering that both served in Peru for a number of years and did sterling work.
Yesterday Abbot Benito and I were able to conclude the Canonical Visitation of our Peruvian monastery just in time for Vespers, but what hard and tiring work it was. Still the results were excellent and everyone was happy with the outcome. Fr Alex has been reappointed as Prior for another four years, until the next visitation. There will be a number of changes, that will prove beneficial for the community, especially as it grows in number, (12 monks at present), and some aspects of life become more complicated and will need more attention. It’s an observant, joyful, united, prayerful and hardworking community and really stands out for the quality of its monastic life. It’s been a joy to spend these past two weeks with them and will be sorry to leave after lunch today. I love the rhythm of monastic life here, which is so close to the Rule of St Benedict.
It’s late and I’m very tired, as yesterday also included quite exhausting and unexpected treatment on my shoulder at a specialised hospital. Apparently, I need another eight sessions. I have no idea how I’ll arrange that in Hereford! I won’t add anything else and no commentary on the Gospel reading. I hope you’ll forgive me. There are, however, photographs of the brethren.
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.
