Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 19th September 2023
Abbot Paul • September 18, 2023
One of the saints remembered today is St Januarius, Bishop of Naples, whose phial of coagulated blood liquifies on this day in his hometown of Naples. Although not a popular name in the U.K., I know a number of people called Jenaro in Spain and Latin America, and Gennaro in Italy. To them all I wish a very happy feast day
As I mentioned yesterday, l am in Paris, Vanves, to be precise, for a meeting. It’s been a long day and it feels like two days wrapped into one. I was up at 2am, after just three hours’ sleep, and drove to Birmingham Airport through a heavy mist and torrential rain. Although the place was packed with holiday makers setting off, I was able to negotiate security very quickly and settle down to a good breakfast to set me up for the day. There seemed to be a lot of heavy drinkers about the place. Why, I ask myself, would people need to be drinking gin and tonic, lager, sparkling wine and vodka before 5am? The flight to Paris was comfortable and on time, but immigration at Charles De Gaulle was a nightmare for British citizens. Why could not our government have negotiated a deal with the EU like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein for us to continue passing through the EU channel. I was with a couple of British businessmen. I won’t repeat their comments. It’s annoying, embarrassing and totally unnecessary. Eventually, I had a comfortable taxi ride to Vanves, and so our meetings began with Midday Office and a delicious lunch. Being hardworking foreigners, there was no siesta, so it was work until Vespers and Mass, supper, then some free time before bed. I’ll say Compline before putting the lights out. Tomorrow we’ll have a full day’s work, beginning at 8am.
I don’t have tomorrow’s Gospel to hand, although I know it’s Luke’s wonderful account of the raising of the son of the widow of Nain, (Lk 7: 11-17). Let us keep in our prayers today all mothers who have lost a child, that the Lord will look on them with compassion and love.
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.
