Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 18th January 2023
Abbot Paul • January 17, 2023
You’ll be pleased to hear that it’s just as cold here as it is where you live. The monks at Prinknash live in an ancient building, that had been the hunting lodge of the medieval abbots of Gloucester, so it’s not easy to heat and keep warm. Still, yesterday was a pleasant and productive day and I believe we are more than halfway through the Visitation. I can already look forward to returning to Belmont on Thursday. I apologise for not sharing a few photographs, but I’ve not had the opportunity as yet to take any.
Our Gospel passage from Mark for today, (Mk 3: 1-6), finds Jesus once again in the synagogue on the Sabbath and present there is a man with a withered hand. The religious authorities were on the lookout to see if Jesus would heal the man on the Sabbath, as they were intent on putting together evidence on which to arrest him. Jesus asked the man to step forward where all could see him. He then asked the question, “Is it against the law on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil; to save a life or to kill?” There was no answer. The Pharisees knew that he had got the better of them. Their silence aroused Jesus’ anger, so he asked the man to stretch out his hand and healed him. The Pharisees walked out and started plotting with the supporters of King Herod. We pray for the courage of Jesus always to do good, no matter what the personal cost to ourselves, and never to be afraid to stand up for the truth.
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
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
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.
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.