Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 11th October 2023
Abbot Paul • October 10, 2023
This afternoon and evening I will be travelling back to Belmont from Thessaloniki, where I have been staying with old university friends. It’s been good to rest and take things easy for nine days, although one friend has rather advanced Alzheimer’s, so it’s not always been easy. Together we have been following on television the tragic events taking place in Israel and Palestine and praying for peace and the safety of innocent people. Words fail before such horrific situations.
Today the Church keeps the feast of a much-loved Pope, St John XXIII. We ask his intercession for peace in our world and for the unity of the Church, especially for the working the Synod.
Our Gospel passage comes from Luke, (Lk 11: 1-4), in which Jesus teaches his disciples to pray at their request. “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished, one of his disciples, said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’” The disciples want to be like Jesus, their Lord, in every way, including his prayer life. It’s interesting to note that John the Baptist also taught his disciples to pray. The version of the Lord’s Prayer in Luke is shorter than in Matthew.
“Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, as we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.” Had you thought of using this version from time to time? The essentials are there, especially the emphasis on forgiveness.
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.
