Message of Abbot Paul - Thursday 8th December 2022
Abbot Paul • December 7, 2022
Today, right in the heart of Advent, we keep the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, nine months before the celebration of her Nativity on 8th September. Mary was conceived without original sin and remained without actual sin throughout her life, hence she alone could conceive the Word, the Son of God, and carry him in her womb for she was the Temple of the Lord and Gate of heaven. For this we give thanks today and keep solemn festival. The Gospel chosen for the feast is that of the Annunciation, (Lk 1: 26-38). The angel Gabriel’s message begins with the greeting, “Rejoice, you who are full of grace. The Lord is with you.” Mary is already filled with grace and without sin from the moment of her Immaculate Conception, for God is truly with her. It is the Father’s will that she conceive the Saviour of the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary is left free to choose whether she will cooperate with God or not, so much does God love and respect her. After prayerful reflection and consideration her answer is, Fiat, “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to thy word.”
We pray today that we might do God’s will as Mary did, and so play our part in the salvation of the world. Amen.
The Immaculate Conception is the patronage feast of Kylemore Abbey, so I ask you to pray for the community of nuns as they continue their retreat.
It was wonderful to see so many people at the annual torchlight procession in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We also enjoyed an evening of wonderful magic and music with Fr Dominic and friends... all in a good cause.
At a solemn Mass, the feast of St Basil and St Gregory, Br Alban makes his promises as a claustral oblate.