Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 5th October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 4, 2023
I write once again from Greece, from the ancient, heroic city of Thessaloniki, where I am spending a week with old friends and enjoying abundant rest, peace and quiet. After a good night’s sleep, Mass and a long breakfast, we decided to go out and visit one of the many local war cemeteries. We drove over to Zeitenlik, the largest military war cemetery in Greece, a vast complex and final resting place of 20,000 or more allied soldiers, Greek, Serbian, French, Italian, British and Russian. Among the 2,000 Brits, there are men from the Empire: the Indian subcontinent, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. There’s a separate Indian war cemetery not far from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, but you need to obtain the key to gain entry. Our visit gave rise to a long discussion on war and the futility of war, then to fervent prayers for all who gave their lives or lost their lives in every war since time began and are still losing their lives now as wars continue.
Today the Church remembers St Faustina, the Polish nun, whose devotion to Our Lord’s Divine Mercy has spread throughout the world, bringing many to salvation in Christ. She died in 1938 at the age of 33. She was the first saint canonised in the Third Millennium.
Our Gospel today comes from Luke, (Lk 10: 1-12), and recounts the sending out of the seventy-two others, disciples and followers of Jesus, on the mission to go ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for his coming. He began by telling them, “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” He gives them strict instructions as to how they should behave and conduct their activities. Essentially, their task is the preach the Good News that, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” Wherever Jesus is, there is the kingdom. Wherever Jesus is, there is salvation. As we welcome Jesus into our lives each day, let us also pray for vocations and encourage any we might see.
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.