Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 22nd November 2022
Abbot Paul • November 22, 2022
This week we have a spate of feast days as we speed towards the end of the liturgical year and the beginning of the Church’s New Year on Advent Sunday. To mark the beginning of Advent, we’ll be having our Advent Carol Service at Belmont this Saturday evening, 26th November, at 7.30pm, a service of wonderful readings and glorious Advent music. Everyone is welcome. Do come and join us. Getting back to today, we keep the feast of St Cecilia, the Roman virgin martyr, venerated by all Christians, who died a martyr’s death on this day in the year 230. There might well have been an earlier Sicilian martyr of the same name. She was martyred at the same time as her husband, Valerian, who had respected her virginity and was baptised through her influence and holiness, and brother-in-law, Tibertius. She is, of course, the patron of church music, composers, musicians, especially organists, and singers. Her popularity testifies to the importance of music in the Church’s liturgy.
Our Gospel passage for today comes from Luke, (Lk 21: 5-11), and describes a visit that Jesus made to the Temple in Jerusalem. He listens as people talk about its beauty and wealth, its carvings and adornments. He reacts by saying, “All these things you are staring at now – the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.” Is this a prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in the year 70, when the Temple was destroyed and raised to the ground? They ask for a sign. “Master, when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place? Jesus warns them to be careful of false prophets, some of whom will use his name, purporting to speak on his behalf. Even should there be wars and revolutions, they are not to be afraid. They will witness or hear of earthquakes, plagues and famines, but these too will not necessarily be signs that the end is about to come. We are to be vigilant and never lose our trust in God. In his hands we are safe, even in the midst of persecution and death. St Cecilia took these words of Jesus to heart and accepted martyrdom with joy and thanksgiving, knowing that she was in God’s hands and that he loved her.
Abbot Brendan Reflects on Pope Leo's words to the Benedictines worldwide
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
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.