Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 19th July
Abbot Paul • July 19, 2022
Yesterday it was back to work with a vengeance. We worked solidly from nine till five with just a break for Mass and lunch and two short coffee and tea breaks at eleven and four and no air conditioning. Still, my room is cool and, unlike at Belmont, here I sleep like a log! Today, as promised, I’ll be accompanying my brief message with photographs of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Torbryan, a must if you’re in Devon. But first, today’s Gospel, which comes from Matthew, (Mt 12: 46-50).
Jesus is speaking with the crowds, when his mother arrives to see him with other family members, whom Matthew calls his brothers. They are standing outside the house where Jesus is. A man goes to inform Jesus, but Jesus replies, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then, stretching his hand towards his disciples, he says, “Here are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus might seem somewhat offhanded with his mother and family, but he uses their visit as an opportunity to teach the crowds this new relationship that he is building up among his followers and the meaning of what his Church is going to be, a fellowship, a brotherhood, a community, God’s family. There is no indication here of rejection on the part of Jesus or that he did not go ahead and meet with them. We also know that Mary was the first to hear the word of the Father and do God’s will. The question for us is whether we are prepared to do God’s will or not.
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.
