Author Archives: Bethlehem Abbey

29th September – St Michael and All the Angels

Cistercian writers have been acutely aware of the presence of the angels since the Order first began to take shape after its foundation in 1098.  And this should be no wonder – St Benedict places the role of angels, and their palpable presence at key moments, at the heart of his Holy Rule.  A numberContinue reading “29th September – St Michael and All the Angels”

14th September – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Hans Urs von Balthasar: The Cross is the midpoint of saving history, all the promises are realised in it, every aspect of the Law, with its quality as curse, is dashed to pieces on the Cross. The Cross is the centre of the world’s history, for it transcends the categories of ‘elect’ and ‘non-elect’ by reconciling all human beings in the crucified body which hangs there. It is the midpoint, too, of all creation and predestination, inasmuch as we were predestined, in Christ’s blood, to be the children of God before the foundation of the world. Paul himself simply intends to carry out the ministry of preaching, by way of service to the reconciliation of the world to God in the Cross of Jesus.

St Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, 28th August

We keep the memory of the greatest convert in the Church after St Paul.  St Augustine – monk, bishop, theologian, preacher, writer – appeals universally to everyone with a God-seeking heart.  Listening to him exultant in his Confessions (Bk X.38) we might make his own new song our own today: Late have I loved you,Continue reading “St Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, 28th August”

Friday 11th June – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Traditionally we consecrate our families to the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus today.  Why not, wherever you are, and particularly if you are with your family, do so: Sacred Heart of Jesus, you revealed to Blessed Margaret Mary your desire to reign over Christian families.  Behold us, therefore, assembled here today to proclaimContinue reading “Friday 11th June – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus”

St Justin the Martyr, 1st June

With the feast of St Justin the Martyr we are taken right to the dynamic first years of the Church’s growth in the Roman Empire.  Justin was born in Samaria around 114AD, and was martyred some time around 165AD, during the reign of the emperor Marcus Aurelius.  What makes his life and witness truly outstanding is the fact that his writings – those which have survived – are among the earliest apologetic writings which have come down to us.

Pentecost – The Spirit Speaks to the Church

As we reflect on Pentecost Day just passed, when the Church bursts into life through the lives and witness of the apostles and first disciples, and they and the Holy Spirit together proclaim Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we invite you to consider thoughts from that sometimes perplexing but always essential writing, the last book of the New Testament and of Sacred Scripture, the Book of Revelation.

Mark 9:14-29 – At the Bottom of the Mountain

From the ecstatic peace of the mountain we descend, with Christ and the three disciples, into the usual melée which is the backdrop to life on the ground.  For all of us it can be so appealing to want to remain in the thickness of the cloud, removed, as it were, from one reality to be able to experience real reality in the undiluted presence of God. 

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 2021 WORLD DAY OF VOCATIONS

25 April 2021 Saint Joseph: The Dream of Vocation Dear brothers and sisters, 8 December last, the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, marked the beginning of a special year devoted to him (cf. Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 8 December 2020). For my part, IContinue reading “MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 2021 WORLD DAY OF VOCATIONS”