St Thomas of Hereford: Celebrating 700 years

the Belmont Webmaster • October 9, 2019

The Belmont Community were invited to begin the year of celebrations for St Thomas Cantilupe by singing Vespers at Hereford Cathedral. There was a very good crowd in attendance, and it was a lovely opportunity for Belmont parishioners to join the Cathedral community and guests that day. We were joined by a Catholic pilgrim group from South Shropshire led by Canon Jonathan Mitchell.


St Thomas Cantilupe was Bishop of Hereford from 1275 until his death in 1282. His shrine is located in the north transept of Hereford Cathedral and is still an important pilgrimage destination. He also served as Chancellor of Oxford University and was involved in high-level politics as the Lord Chancellor of England.

The celebration year runs from October 2019 to October 2020. It will include the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams leading a service of Reconciliation, and Lord Pattern of Barnes, the current Chancellor of Oxford University. Sir James MacMillan is composing two pieces of music to celebrate St Thomas.

At the Vespers our new deacon Dom Augustine presided and Dean Michael preached about the significance of the relics of St Thomas. Together on the altar were the three main relics for the saint from Downside (his skull), Stonyhurst, and Belmont.


Further details of the programme of events can be found below, with pictures from the day.

Further details of the Centenary celebrations can be found on the Hereford Cathedral website:

https://www.herefordcathedral.org/news/700-years-of-st-thomas-cantilupe

The full Programme of Events

https://www.herefordcathedral.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=269ac3e4-cee1-4f33-9975-05cd750d1ece

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