Blessing and Official Opening of our New Shop

Abbot Brendan Thomas • July 25, 2022

  • Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

On the feast of St James, 25th July



Rather like one of those winters that seems never to end so it has been, for many people, and in many differing ways, a seemingly endless and challenging journey to see off the effects of the Covid pandemic. So it’s a cause of great joy and celebration today to welcome the formal “return” of our much loved shop here at Belmont. And we are pleased and privileged to be able to see our wonderful volunteers, inspired and directed by our dear Fr. James, who are eager and waiting to offer their time honoured welcome to customers, browsers and the simply inquisitive.

 

We are also delighted to have with us Madeleine Carroll and her family; Madeleine is an accomplished author and her presence today, alongside Fr. Bernard Sixtus, Archdiocesan Director of Education and Lucy Fox from Gracewing books will, I’m sure, make sure that our re-launched shop gets off to the best possible start. As Lucy says “it’s wonderful to have a local partner with whom to share our books for a local, as well as farther afield audience”.

 

Of course, the most significant presence today, as every day, is the Lord himself, and it’s fitting that our re-opening has at its heart a service of blessing conducted by Fr. Abbot. In his rule for monks St. Benedict talks about goods being sold by the monastery: “prices, therefore, should always be set a little lower than people outside the monastery are able to set” (Chapter 57). That, surely, is a very clear message to Fr. James and his team.

 

Humour aside, St. Benedict is making the point that selling goods, having a shop, is something that is not simply about commerce - it’s about people, monks and their relations with the local and, in the days of the internet, not so local community. A shop, our shop, is an integral part of our monastic outreach, it offers a small hub where people can come to seek inspiration, whether in the many books, or cards, or religious artefacts. It is, in short, an essential part of our call to spread the good news of the gospel and, thanks to the internet, we can embrace many more people in our mission than previously envisaged.

 

Fr. Bernard reminded me that, especially as there is in longer a Catholic bookshop in Cardiff, having this resource at Belmont is something greatly valued by the archdiocese and will be a potential source of inspiration to future generations. For our faith is something that we are called to pass on and, in a moving tribute to her late father (whose birthday it is today) Madeleine shared with us that it was her father’s encouragement to see holy pictures, religious objects and books as a help on her own journey of faith that fostered and developed her own response to God’s call as a mother and as a Catholic author.

 

 

So today is a cause of real celebration; celebration and, of course, thanks. Thanks to our guests for their time and helping to re-launch this important part of our apostolate; thanks to our loyal and, we hope many new prospective customers; thanks to our great team of volunteers and to Fr. James; and, above all, thanks to almighty God for keeping alive in so many that flame of hope that has seen us through the last few years.

 

D.Alex

 


Link to the shop



By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 24, 2025
New Title
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 21, 2025
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
By Abbot Paul April 21, 2025
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 20, 2025
"He is not here, for he is risen." Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 20, 2025
"This is the night." Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 18, 2025
Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 18, 2025
Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 13, 2025
The Passion According to St Luke: Homily by Abbot Brendan
By Abbot Brendan Thomas March 21, 2025
Abbot Brendan's homily for the Passing, the "Transitus" of St Benedict
By Abbot Brendan Thomas March 12, 2025
We look forward to welcoming the Community of St Gregory's
More Posts