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?
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
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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.
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