Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 15th March 2023
Abbot Paul • March 15, 2023
This evening I’ll be leaving Peru to fly back to the U.K. via Paris. I must confess that, after two happy weeks, it’s difficult to up sticks and go back as though it were the easiest thing in the world. It’s not. How can I put it? It’s like constant tampering with an open wound. Some of my readers will understand what I am trying to say, others not. This has happened all my life, of course, since I was a small boy: all those long holidays in Italy and then having to go back to Wales. It’s difficult, and can be heartbreaking many times over, to belong to two or more places and groups of people. This time it’s been a particular joy to renew old friendships and make new ones. Yesterday I finished the novel I was reading and started a new one. Novels help my sanity! I also ate all the fruit l safely could, but don’t tell my diabetes nurse, as she’ll never forgive me. I thought you’d like to see Fr Alex preaching at the Conventual Mass, so I’ll include that among my photographs today.
For today’s Gospel we return to Matthew, (Mt 5: 17-19), and the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus explains to his disciples his attitude to the Law and the Prophets. He says, “Do not imagine that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete them.” He asks us not to infringe or break the commandments, but to keep them and teach others to do the same. It all sounds very simple, but are we prepared to do what he requires of us. It’s not always easy being a Christian, is it?
On the Commemoration of All Souls, Abbot Brendan reflects on the experience of death within a monastic community, the meaning of Purgatory, and St Benedict’s invitation never to lose hope in the mercy of God.
The Belmont community visit Dowlais, and remember the Benedictine Mission to South Wales as the country remembers the Aberfan disaster.
We welcomed the Knights and Dames from the Midlands and South Wales and thanked God for their mission and service.
A double celebration on the feast of St Michael and All Angels
A School of Love by the Wye: Abbot Brendan on the Cistercians on the Feast of the Holy Cross.
The Blessing of new Icons for the Churches in Stratford-upon-Avon, with inspiring talks by the Abbot Primate and Dr Rowan Williams.
“O Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory abides.”
