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.
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.
