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.
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.
