Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday - 19th March 2024
Abbot Paul • March 18, 2024
​Today is the Solemnity of St Joseph, so we pause to celebrate the carpenter of Nazareth, who acted as earthly father to the incarnate Son of God. Could he, even in his wildest dreams, ever have imagined that this would happen? Today, we recognise him to be Protector of the Church, as in his earthly life he was protector of Mary, the Virgin Mother of God and of her son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Gospel reading today comes from Matthew, (Mt 1: 16, 18-21, 24), and begins with the very last sentence of the genealogy of Jesus that precedes the account of the circumstances surrounding his conception and birth. “Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.” Matthew tells us that Joseph was the husband of Mary and that she was the mother of Jesus, known as the Christ, the Messiah or Anointed One. Matthew takes great care, as do the other Evangelists, to make clear that he was not the father of Jesus.
​Matthew begins his Infancy Narrative by saying, “This is how Jesus Christ came to be born.” This short sentence already gives the hearer an indication that this is no ordinary person and no ordinary birth. Also, from the start, he talks about “Jesus Christ” and not simply about Jesus. The story he is about to tell could not have been invented! “His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally.” The scene is set. Mary and Joseph are betrothed to be married, when it’s discovered that Mary is pregnant “by the Holy Spirit.” The account of the Annunciation is found in Luke’s Infancy Narrative, but not in Matthew’s. Here the story is told through the eyes of Joseph rather than of Mary. What we are told of Joseph is that he is a just man, “a man of honour,” and so to avoid scandal, not so much for himself as for Mary, he decides not to proceed further with the marriage but to divorce her privately. Just when he’s made his decision, he has a dream.
​“He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.” In Luke the angel of the Lord appears to Mary to ask if she is prepared to become the mother of the Saviour, whom she must name Jesus, whereas in Matthew the angel appears to Joseph in a dream to encourage him to take Mary as his wife, for the child in her womb has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. She is to have a son whom he must name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Joseph does not doubt or question the word of the angel, but on waking up, does what the angel has told him to do. Joseph is portrayed as a man of faith, humility, tenderness and obedience. Joseph is such an attractive figure, it’s little wonder he is so admired and loved by Christians everywhere. May he pray for us today and pray for our families and for all those who stand in need of God’s love and protection.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
