Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday - 28th May 2024
Abbot Paul • May 27, 2024
Yesterday was a wonderful day in so many ways. It was a particularly happy day spent with my dear friends Sandra and Vasili. We have been close friends since our student days in Thessaloniki in the mid sixties. In the morning Vasili and I drove down into the city to visit the excavations of the Roman agora, a couple of Byzantine churches, of which Thessaloniki has many, and a number of Ottoman buildings being restored at present. There is just so much to see in this amazing city, greatly loved by St Paul and his companions. On our return, I celebrated Mass for Sandra, who is a Catholic, and her delightful Filipino carer, Cheryl. It was powerfully prayerful: we felt the touch of God as we walked with Jesus. And so the day continued in God’s presence in the most extraordinary way, sitting in the garden and reminiscing over old photographs. As always, I also chatted with my mother, who enjoyed speaking with Sandra and Vasili. My mother loves chatting with my friends: she seems to be energised by them.
Our Gospel reading today comes from Mark, (Mk 10: 28-31), in which Peter questions Jesus on the reward he and his companions will receive for leaving everything that was dear to them in order to follow Jesus. He assures them that they will be repaid a hundred times over in this world, though not without persecutions, and, in the world to come, eternal life. Jesus caps this promise by saying, “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” This is a warning we all need to heed, that we shouldn’t take things for granted, but truly dedicate our lives to the Lord.
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.
