News from Belmont

Fr Alexander Kenyon • July 30, 2023

Fr Alexander writes:

If you’ve been wondering what has been happening at Belmont over the recent past, wonder no longer. As life has, more or less, returned to normal after the Covid pandemic, it seems timely to try to get back to a more regular briefing from the cloisters. The Belmont community has always been, rightly, proud of the close contact we have with so many of our friends and supporters and, if communications have sometimes been less than ideal, it’s a chance now to re-establish some of that contact and think about how, together, we build up our wider community in the future.

So, what’s been happening, what is about to happen? In a word, “lots”. And, in no particular order (ordering or brigading will be sadly lacking from this particular opus) I’m happy to share with you this short digest of news for your information, edification and general delight - hope springs eternal!

Headline news

The “big” and, in so many ways, most significant news is that Abbot Paul, after almost twenty four years steering the Belmont ship as abbot, will be stepping down from the role next Spring. As a “warm up”he is stepping down as Parish Priest of Belmont at the end of August and Fr. Augustine will be taking over that particular rudder - we wish him well and I’m sure he will have lots of support.

Fr. Paul has, as mentioned, been abbot for almost a quarter of a century; I hope that doesn’t make him feel old. His kindness, wisdom and prayerfulness have been sources of inspiration both to the community and many others, far and wide. I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities to pay tribute to him etc over the coming months; for now we simply wish him well and offer him our prayers. Do please pray for the community as well as we begin a period of discernment before a new abbot is elected next year

Community News

Our noviciate is three strong now: our novices, Brothers Meinrad and Gildas have been joined by a postulant, Brother Robert. All make a great contribution to the liturgical, spiritual and domestic life of the community. Please continue to pray for them as they begin their monastic journeys.

In September Fr. Alex, prior of our monastery in Peru, will be at Belmont delivering a couple of icon retreats. Please keep him and our brethren in Peru in your prayers.

The Covid pandemic had such a negative impact on so many aspects of life. One particular way that our lives were impoverished was demonstrated by our inability to say a proper “goodbye” to those who died during this period. In the case of Belmont our dear, beloved Brothers Bernard and Raphael returned to God without many of us being able to be present at their requiems and burials. In order to allow people to come together to pray for them and celebrate their lives we will be having a memorial Mass for them both on Saturday, August 19th at 11am. Do please come along if you can. The are both missed greatly.

On a happier note our dear Fr. Richard, currently toiling away on our parish in Whitehaven, celebrates his silver jubilee of ordination on September 29th. He will be here at Belmont to celebrate the 4pm Mass on Saturday, 30th September and all are welcome. If you would like to join him for a cup of tea and a sandwich after the Mass please let me know so that suitable and ample comestibles will be available - you can email me, Fr Alexander at djaskenyon@gmail.com. We congratulate Fr. Richard on this great milestone and offer him our love and prayers for many more years of fruitful ministry.

Belmont has been asked to renew its pastoral work in the parishes of Leominster and Bromyard and we will be starting this apostolic work in September.

Please continue to keep the Belmont community in your prayers. We especially appreciate prayers for our brethren in Peru who face many challenges, not least the unstable political situation and spiralling costs.

Dom Alexander
July 2023
Longworth Chapel Mass

Did you know that there are two mediaeval Catholic Churches in or near Hereford? 

The Longworth Chapel at Bartestree is dedicated to Saint James. It is a small but beautiful gothic building, unique in being a mediaeval chapel used for Catholic worship over a period of some six hundred years. It was originally the chapel of Old Longworth manor house built c.1390. Then it (yes, the church!) was moved to Bartestree in 1869. Sadly, the church was closed in 1995 but is currently in the care of the Historic Chapels Trust. 

Once a year some of the community join local Catholics to celebrate Mass - usually, as this year, on the feast of St James.  We prayed in particular for Robert Phillipps who restored the Chapel for Catholic worship and built the neighbouring Bartestree Convent. We also prayed for the sisters who served there for 130 years as well as the those cared for at St Michael’s Hospice, built in the convent grounds. Fr Brendan presided at the Mass along with Fr James. Abbot Paul, Fr Augustine & Br Meinrad led the singing and Br Gildas served.

On 15th August there will be Mass in the Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford, another mediaeval church used by Catholics.
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Dom Stephen Holdsworth RIP - Funeral Homily

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • November 5, 2025
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.

Ut Unum Sint - A Prayer for Unity with Benedictines

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • October 28, 2025
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.

Two Men Went to Pray

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • October 26, 2025
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.

Dom Stephen Holdsworth RIP

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • October 26, 2025
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.

A Grand Opening

September 21, 2025
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.

Assumption and VJ Day

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • August 15, 2025
"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.

Corpus Christi

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • June 22, 2025
The Murmuration of the Spirit

What happened at the Conclave?

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • June 19, 2025
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.

1700 Years Since the Council of Nicea

June 19, 2025
On 12th June an Ecumenical Service was held at Hereford Cathedral to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.

Safeguarding at Belmont

By Abbot Brendan Thomas • June 19, 2025
The Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency Report, published in June 2025