Message of Abbot Paul - Wednesday 28th September 2022
Abbot Paul • September 28, 2022
ust a brief greeting today as yesterday was the longest and most tiring day of the Visitation so far. I’m deeply indebted to Abbot Benito Rodriguez of Las Condes Abbey, Santiago, Chile, for accompanying me at this important moment in the life of our Peruvian foundation. Today this message will come with a photograph taken just before Compline of the recently restored late 16th century statue of St Benedict in our church. Tomorrow I’ll post some photos of the community.
Today’s Gospel passage from Luke, (Lk 9: 57-62), is all about making excuses when Jesus invites us to follow him, or, worse still, after we’ve voluntarily asked Jesus if we can follow him. There are three examples of such behaviour. This is the third. “‘l will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say goodbye to my people at home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” With Jesus, it’s all or nothing, no divided hearts. Where do I stand?
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.
