Among his many other tasks in the monastery, Pluscarden's Junior Br. Patrick has been studying the art of sewing. Already he has made or repaired many habits, scapulars, work smocks, cowls and cloaks for the brethren. More recently he has been working to enhance his sewing skills, so that he can repair or make liturgical vestments.
Homily for Sunday 22 C, 28 August 2022 – by DJC – Luke 14: 1, 7-14
St Luke tells us of three occasions when Jesus was invited to dine at the house of a Pharisee. In the first Simon the Pharisee’s reception of Jesus is so lacking in generosity and warmth that he does not even give Jesus water to wash his feet, greet him with a kiss or anoint him with oil - in contrast to the “gate crasher”, that St Therese of Lisieux loved so much, the sinful woman who showers Jesus’ feet with tears and kisses. She loves much because she has been forgiven much.
Homily for the 8 o’clock Mass, Feast of the Assumption, 14 August 2022 Apocalypse 12:1
Who is she? Who is this woman? What is this great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, with a crown of twelve stars on her head (Apoc 12:1)? She is beautiful, and she is also terrible. In the words of the Song of Songs: Who is she, arising like the dawn, fair as the moon, resplendent as the sun, terrible as an army in battle array (6:10)?
Pluscarden Benedictines No. 198 - Pentecost 2022
Homily for Sunday 19C, 7 August 2022: Luke 12:32-48
Do not be afraid, little flock: for it has pleased the Father to give you the Kingdom (Lk 12:32) Our Lord’s exhortation not to be afraid is very familiar to us. But I think we can’t hear it too frequently. We need to ponder these words, trust them, cling on to them, affirm them: strive to act and think and speak in accordance with them.
Homily given by Fr. Abbot Anselm at the funeral Mass of Br. Gabriel, 29 July 2022
In a funeral Mass for Br. Gabriel, it is important to recall the facts of his life: That he was a Lancashire man. That he was born into a loving family, which accompanied him all his life and still does, in the persons of his brother Nigel and his nephew James. That his first job after school was as labourer in a Liverpool engineering works.