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?
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully last night. He served this community well for many years, not least Abbot of the Community and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
