Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 1st March 2023
Abbot Paul • February 28, 2023
As I sit to write this short message for Wednesday, St David’s Day, I have completed my work for Tuesday and done all my packing for Peru. I have managed to find everything the brethren have asked me to take out to them for sale in their shop and the brushes Fr Alex needs in his work as an iconographer. I must confess it’s been a busy day and I’m exhausted and ready for a shower and bed, before getting up at 2am for the journey up to Birmingham airport. While we celebrate the Patron Saint of Wales and ask for his intercession and blessing on Welsh people everywhere, especially in Patagonia, Argentina, I hope to be taking a long snooze on that long flight from Paris to Lima. Tomorrow there won’t be a message as the journey to the monastery at Lurin takes just over 24 hours door to door. There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru.
The short Gospel passage chosen for the feast comes from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 5: 13-16), the famous words of Jesus where he compares his disciples with the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is what he says:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.”
We can use these words to describe St David as he spent his life proclaiming the Gospel to his people, bringing them wisdom from on high imbued with the light of Christ with which to give meaning and rejoicing to their lives. He instilled into the Welsh of his day the joy of being followers of Christ, admonishing them to rejoice always and keep the faith. Let us pray today that our lives might be ones of rejoicing, for we know that God loves us, and that our faith may in turn make us, as Christ says, the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
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.