Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 16th August 2023
Abbot Paul • August 16, 2023
The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is the most wonderful of feasts and this year’s celebration was certainly one to be remembered with affection and gratitude. The celebrations of Mass at Belmont were prayerful and inspiring, while the annual Mass at Rotherwas Chapel, dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, was both memorable and uplifting, truly joyful and supportive of our faith. Then after Vespers and Benediction, Br Peter, Fr Augustine and I went to Moccas church, like Belmont dedicated to St Michael and All Angels, for an evening of Gregorian chant and organ music. We were accompanied by our amazing organist and dear friend Jonathon Nicholls. As usual, it was a great joy to sing chants in honour of Our Lady at Moccas before such a large and appreciative congregation. The statue of Our Lady was with us again this year and the event was arranged to draw attention to the need to keep the waters of the River Wye clean and safe. We congratulate the organisers for such an outstanding evening.
Our Gospel reading today is all about forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus is keen that his disciples should form a community where its members forgive one another and always seek to be reconciled with each other, living in communion and peace. Let’s hear what Jesus has to tell his disciples, as we continue reading in Matthew, (Mt 18: 15-20).
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.
‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’”
Whereas it is imperative to pursue reconciliation, and to do so as often as it might take, nevertheless we must also be realistic that not everyone appreciates this and there are those who do not wish to be reconciled with a neighbour, relative or friend. There are times when no more can be done to bring about the desired reconciliation and peace, sad though that is. Any decision made in that respect should be considered sacred. At his point, I fell asleep at my desk.
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.
