Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 21st March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 20, 2023
Today we celebrate the original feast day of St Benedict, that of his Passing or entry into heaven, for he died on this day in the year 547, aged around 67 years’ old. He died at Monte Cassino, surrounded by his monks, for whom he had written the Rule that bears his name. It always strikes me that there’s not a word in that rule, “a little rule for beginners”, as Benedict describes it, that is superfluous or meaningless, even for us who live by it today. I’ll just say a few words about one of the important themes we find there.
​One of the monastic values and traditions St Benedict was most keen on was stability. In fact, it is one of the three Benedictine vows. It is a word derived from the Latin verb stare, meaning to stand, to stand still, to stand firm, to remain and to rest. The experts tell us that stability refers essentially to a monk’s standing in choir, in his choir stall, surrounded by his brethren. But it is also a vow that refers not only to staying put in one place. Rather more importantly, it also refers to what we do in this one place, i.e. pray. We pray together in choir, singing God’s praises and listening to his word. But in order to do that well, we have to pray alone and in silence, in our cells or wherever we happen to be. It also means assiduously reading the Bible, studying the Scriptures, ruminating on the Word of God, practising lectio divina, which should always lead to mental prayer or the prayer of silence.
Stability is also about growing in love for the monastic community, with the brethren that God has chosen for us, loving our brothers with patience and humility, generosity and joy, seeing Christ in them. This is equally true of those who are married and live a family life. In fact, at the very top of the ladder of humility, beyond the last rung, we find that perfect love which casts out all fear, the goal of the Christian life. So today let us pray for the gift of stability, especially if we are monks, but also if we are married or single, oblates, parishioners or friends of Belmont. We pray for that real stability which, for all of us, means being anchored in the very heart of God.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. 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.
