Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 27th September 2023
Abbot Paul • September 26, 2023
September 27th marks the feast day of St Vincent de Paul, the French priest, who died on this day in 1660. He was renowned for his work among galley slaves and founded the Congregation of the Mission, commonly known as the Vincentians or Lazarists, to work among the poor in small towns and villages, preach retreats to clergy and support local seminaries. He also founded the Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul. There was a time when every parish had a Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP), whose members did capital work among the poor. It’s sad to see such great pastoral and charitable groups reduced to practically nothing today.
Our Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 9: 1-16), sees Jesus preparing the Twelve for their mission of preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. “Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” It’s important to note that power goes hand in hand with authority and that there can be no healing in the integral Christian sense without the proclamation of the Good News, who is Christ himself. Jesus then gives them some quite radical instructions as to how they should carry out their mission. He is nothing if not practical. “Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.” The Twelve are to rely entirely on Divine Providence, for they go forth in faith in Jesus’ name and with his authority and power. They are to accept hospitality, but if a welcome is not forthcoming, then they are to leave that village with neither a curse nor a blessing, but shaking the dust from their feet. Once Jesus has given his instructions, off they go, obedient to his command. “So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.” St Vincent de Paul followed the example of the Twelve. Let’s hope that we might do as well.
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.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.
"A hymn to the human body." Abbot Brendan's Homily at the annual Mass celebrated at Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford that dates from the 1580s on the feast of the Assumption.
From Francis to Leo: A special event with Christopher Lamb of CNN in conversation with Austin Ivereigh who commentated for the BBC on the transition from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
