Monastic Experience Weekend
November 11, 2025
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.

“To Prefer Nothing to Christ”
Seeking God in Prayer and Community
A weekend for young men trying to discern God’s will to experience monastic life close up. A chance to pray about, reflect on and explore a possible vocation to the Benedictine way of following God’s call.
From Friday 9th January to Sunday 11 January 2026
For details contact Fr. Andrew: brandrew@belmontabbey.org.uk

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.








