Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 12th December 2023
Abbot Paul • December 12, 2023
Today’s will be a short message as I spent yesterday afternoon with a local dentist, who was attending to a loose crown. She will be replacing it in the course of the week. My experience with Peruvian dentists in the past has always been excellent. In the morning, I accompanied some of the brethren as they coated chocolate chip panettones with melted Belgian fondant chocolate. You can’t help but admire their patience and talent.
Today in the Americas we keep the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, that icon of a pregnant indigenous woman, Mary Mother of all God’s children, written with natural dies on the cloak of St Juan Diego, to whom she said, “Am I not here with you, I who am your Mother?” Today she will say these words to each one of us, and especially to Br Antonio, who will be making his First Profession.
Today’s Gospel passage is that of the Parable of the Sheep that went astray, from Matthew, (Mt 18: 12-14). As a story it’s an exaggeration. What shepherd would leave ninety nine sheep in the fold and go off to look for the one who had strayed? But that’s the whole point, God’s love for us is so great that he alone of all shepherds would. And that’s what Jesus came to do, to seek out and to find those who were lost and had gone astray. Jesus will not rest until each one of us is safe in his arms.
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.
