Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 14th September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 13, 2022
Message from Fr Paul for Wednesday, 14th September 2022
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in thanksgiving for the gift of Redemption and Salvation won for us by Jesus Christ, Incarnate Son of God, on the wood of the Cross. At Belmont we have an important, historic relic of the True Cross, which will be on display for our veneration today, as it is on Good Friday.
The Gospel chosen for today comes from John, (Jn 3: 13-17), part of the discourse of Jesus to Nicodemus, a leading Jew, who came to him by night to ask what he should do to be saved. Jesus says:
“No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who came down from heaven,
the Son of Man who is in heaven;
and the Son of Man must be lifted up
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost
but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world
not to condemn the world,
but so that through him the world might be saved.”
Jesus describes himself as the Son of Man who has come down from heaven, and yet remains in heaven. He must be lifted up just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness in order that those who believe in him may not perish but have eternal life. God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that those who believe in him might not be lost but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world but to save it. God loves us and shows us the depth of his love in his beloved Son. Who would not give thanks today on this wonderful feast?
Today Fr Michael returns to Belmont to be Prior and Novice Master in succession to Fr Brendan, not exactly the retirement he was hoping for, while Fr Brendan goes down into Hereford to become Parish Priest of St Francis Xavier and Dean of Herefordshire. I know you will pray for them both, that the Lord will bless and accompany them in their new ministries, granting them courage, wisdom, patience, compassion, good humour and personal holiness.
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.
