Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 17th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 16, 2023
Just a short message today to let you know that yesterday I arrived as planned at Prinknash Abbey just in time for the opening of the Visitation, which is always a moment of grace for a monastic community. We then worked all day, stopping only for the Divine Office, a half hour of mental prayer together in choir and simple meals. Today we continue after the early morning offices, breakfast, Terce and the Conventual Mass. I ask for your prayers.
Today we celebrate the father of monastic life, St Antony of Egypt, who was born in the year 251, and was among the first to hear the call of Jesus to follow him in the monastic life, albeit as a hermit. Many disciples soon flocked to follow his example and teaching, as a result monastic communities came into existence. We ask his intercession today for monasteries of monks and nuns throughout the world, but especially in Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East, the cradle of Christianity, where Christians live under persecution, causing many to migrate as refugees. May the Lord look on them with his loving mercy and may we receive them with generosity and kindness.
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.
