Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 23rd November 2022
Abbot Paul • November 23, 2022
Perhaps today’s Gospel from Luke, (Lk 21: 12-19), is more suited to yesterday’s feast of St Cecilia, the famous Roman virgin martyr or St Catherine of Alexandria, whom we remember this coming Friday. Today’s calendar offers us two alternatives, Pope St Clement I, the Roman martyr, and St Columban, the Irish abbot, the two of them of historic and doctrinal importance. At Belmont this year we will be keeping St Columban.
As for our Gospel reading, we must not forget that it’s the last week of the Liturgical Year and so we are thinking very much about what Jesus warned would come the way of his followers: persecution for the faith and the importance for Christians to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel and the presence of God in their lives. They will be persecuted “because of my name – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness”. Jesus goes even further by telling his disciples not to prepare their defence, but rather to allow God to speak through them. “I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict”. As St Paul would say, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus will live in their hearts through faith. It will not be they who live but Christ who lives in them. Even their families will turn against them and they will be hated and rejected by everyone, but even then, they are not to fear for “not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.” In fact, the number of persecutions the Church has suffered in her two-thousand-year history and the intensity of those persecutions cannot be exaggerated. Even so, we are still here and still prepared to face persecution and death for the sake of Jesus, the Church he founded and the Gospel he preached.
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.