Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 26th July 2023
Abbot Paul • July 26, 2023
The annual Mass in honour of St James, celebrated yesterday at Longworth Chapel, Bartestree, was the most wonderful occasion. The medieval Catholic chapel was filled to overflowing and resonated with joyful singing, as Fr Brendan, our Herefordshire Dean, celebrated the Mass and preached. He was accompanied by Canon Paul Millar and Dom James Norris. The event was organised by Des Keohane and was our first return to Longworth since before the Pandemic.
Deo gratias.
Today we keep the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and progenitors of Jesus Christ. It’s the day on which we pray especially for our grandparents, both living and dead. Our Gospel passage comes from Matthew, (Mt 13: 16-17). Jesus is speaking with his disciples, “Happy are your eyes because they see, your ears because they hear! I tell you solemnly, many prophets and holy men longed to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.” This must be one of the shortest Gospel readings there is. Joachim and Anne, like the Prophets of Israel, lived with faith in the fulfilment of God’s promises, in his own time and in his own way. They trusted that God would bring about the salvation not only of Israel but of the whole world through the birth of the Messiah. They were not to know that the Messiah would be their own grandson, born of their Immaculate Virgin Daughter, Mary our mother in faith. We thank God today for our heavenly grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne.
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.