Homilies by the monks of Quarr

Dom Gregory Corcoran, Subprior Diamond Jubilee of Profession 8 September 1966 – 2026 A little more than sixty years ago, two very young men knocked

In the first reading we heard the command to the prophet Ezechiel with regard to individuals. He has to correct when the Holy Spirit directs

+ Sunday 22 A 30th August 2026 Peter does not like it, we don’t like it either, but the message cannot be avoided: “If anyone

The Question of Authority As we know, every river has a source, frequently on a mountaintop. It may only be a small trickle of water,

There is nothing more specifically Christian than a keen interest in the body. I know that we often say that our religion is about saving

+ Anyone going to the restaurant will generally be attentive to two things: the quality of the service and the quality of the food. Although

     Our Lord speaks to us of the treasure hidden in a field, then found, and the finder selling up everything in order  to possess

Weavers of Hope The great philosopher, Carmelite nun and martyr, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, (Edith Stein) one of the six patron saints of

+ Homily for the Solemnity of St Benedict, 11th July 2026 The three readings we have just heard can serve as a good introduction to

 + Homily for the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, Sunday 28 June 2026 Dom Guéranger, who founded our French mother house of Solesmes in

+ Sunday 12, Year A A few weeks ago, a little girl approached a group of priests among which I was standing: “May I ask

Compassion “When Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Those of you

Usually we eat our bread “in the sweat of our face”. Of course, we recognise that our daily bread is given to us by our

Pentecost concluded our annual liturgical celebration of the Pascal Mystery and turned our thoughts with awe towards the mystery of God, to the Blessed Trinity.

+ Pentecost 2026 When Jesus was on earth, He spent His time doing things for us: He called us to repentance; He spoke to us

Know Yourself Written over the entrance to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi were two words: Γνῶθι σεαυτόν, – Know yourself. This short piece of

Abbot Leo used to remind us of the differences between the shepherds we see on the Island and those he had seen in the Holy

After listening to a long Gospel reading, we are all happy to sit down and we hope the homily will not be too long. I

Divine Mercy in My Soul It is the first day of the week, Sunday, the Day of the Resurrection. The Jewish held the Sabbath, the

+ Easter Day 2026 Although I am not generally a big fan of whodunnits, I must admit I like very much the Easter morning whodunnit

+ Paschal Vigil 2026 We have heard many words of the Scriptures tonight. We certainly took the time to listen to these readings which belong

+ Good Friday 2026 Jesus was crucified on the top of a hill, just outside the City of Jerusalem. He was lifted up between heaven

+ Maundy Thursday 2026 As He was taking the bread in His sacred hands, Jesus blessed it. He accompanied His words of thanksgiving by raising

No Palm Sunday procession in Jerusalem this year! A sign for our world. Where has peace gone? Where shall peace come from? Peace comes from

   Let us follow the man born blind through this tightly knit narrative so that we can profit from his journey of faith more fully.

Ex 1:3-7Rom 5:1-2.5-8Jn 4:5-42 “Give me a drink”.Jesus is wearied and thirsty. It is about noon and the day is hot.He is sitting near the

Exodus In fifth-century Ireland, when Christian monasticism began to take root, the Country was divided into small kingdoms, with a legal system known as the

Ash Wednesday 2026 Joel 2:12-182 Cor 5:20 – 6:2Mt 6:1-6.16-18 At first, it seems that Lent is about going down. We receive ashes. We are

+ 5th Sunday Ordinary time, 8 February 2026 Is 58:6-101 Cor 2:1-5Mt 5:13-16 What a joy, Dear Brethren, to hear the words of today’s gospel:

Candlemas 2026 Forty days after His birth from the Virgin Mary, Jesus is presented in the temple by His parents. This is an act of

     The beatitudes, the first words of the Sermon on the Mount,  reveal Our Lord Jesus Christ to us and so teach us how to

City of God What is a city? When we think of cities like London or New York, we have an image of lots of buildings,

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANYJANUARY 6th 2026AT QUARR ABBEY             As the great feast of Easter has only one set of antiphons for Lauds and Vespers,

He came to his own people, and they did not receive him. When Our Lord was arrested, he protested that he had been with the

+ 1st January 2026 – Solemnity of the Mother of God Today is the eighth day after Christmas, and Jesus receives His name.Today is also

Mother and Child’s Conversation When the child is born, a conversation begins. The mother and the baby start a new form of their deep relationship.

When a new child arrives in a family, everyone comes to see the baby. We are reminded that we all began like this little and

Mary, Joseph and the Obedience of Faith “Everything is Mystery in this holy season”, wrote Dom Prosper Guéranger – “tout est mystérieux dans les jours

Advent I (A) 2025 Is 2:1-5Rom 13:11-14aMt 24:37-44 We all have the experience of waiting for someone who does not turn up. We know the

  Ml 3:19-20a2 Th 3: 7-12Lc 21: 5-19 From Advent to Christ the King, the liturgical year offers an exploration of the whole mystery of

Strictly speaking, there is no alternative: holiness or nothing else! Yesterday’s solemnity reminded us of the powerful intercession of those who have chosen holiness in

Yesterday, Pope Leo proclaimed St John Henry Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church. Newman, of course, belongs to this country and we feel deep

Sunday 30 Ordinary Time26th October 2025 Although we probably know the story well, today’s Gospel raises a few questions. When we think of the Pharisee,

Dom Brian Gerard Kelly Through the Eyes of the Little Ones The well-known Irish Poor Clare nun, Sr Briege McKenna, has a special gift of

Dedication of the Church 2025 Ez 43:1-2,4-7aHe 12:18-19,22-24Jn 2:13-22 More than a century ago, men of faith built the church in which we are celebrating

          Newman the Novelist We can say that not only was St John Henry Newman the first Doctor of the Church to have visited the

Sunday 27 Ordinary Time, 5th October 2025 Today, at last we find the Twelve on the right track, asking that the gift of faith they

Power is made Perfect in Weakness Some of you may already know that the founder, in 1960, of Domino’s Pizza in the US, Mr Tom

+ Nativity of Our Lady 2025 In the liturgical mysteries of the Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mary in heaven, the mother of Jesus

Our Lord warns us today of the danger of curiosity, especially curiosity about the divine plan for other people. In the Holy Scriptures God reveal

+ Homily for the 20th Ordinary Sunday C, 17th August 2025 Jesus is often puzzling. When He speaks of a fire which He is bringing

+ Homily for the First Promise as a Regular Oblate of Brother John Connolly 15 August 2025 When St John was exiled at Patmos, he

The Pillar of the Cloud Last month on July 31 we received the news from the Vatican that St John Henry Newman is to be

St Benedict would have us receive all guests with the honour we would give to Christ, since he is indeed being received in them. This

+ Homily for the 15th Ordinary Sunday, Year C, 2025 Dt 30: 10-14Col 1:15-20Lk 10:25-37 Jesus is fascinating. He was a fascinating master and teacher.

Homily of H.E. Mons. Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio in Great Britain Quarr Abbey – Friday 11th July 2025 To each of you, I bring

Holy is His Name In sending seventy of His disciples, two by two, into all the towns and places He Himself was about to come,

Corpus Christi 2025 This has been quite an extraordinary week. We opened it with the celebration of the Holy Trinity and we are closing it

Trinity C – 2025 The first words of the priest at Mass accompany the sign of the Cross with the name of the Father, the

Pentecost 2025 Jesus once described the Holy Spirit using the image of the wind: “The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound

Paraclitus Rarely is there a comparable beauty to seeing a couple, husband and wife, who are deeply in love with one another. Their bond of

SOLEMNITYOF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORDTHURSDAY MAY 29thAT QUARR ABBEY             Some 40 or 50 years ago, we used to extinguish the pascal candle at

In these days of Easter our voices are continually raised in praise. God has redeemed and comforted his people. He has made us strong. He

Sunday 11 May 2025Fourth Sunday of Paschal Tide Habemus Papam! We have a pope. We have been given in Pope Leo XIV a sign and

Knowledge through Love I would like to ask how well do we know God? How well do we know His ways? We catch glimpses of

+ Requiem Mass for Pope Francis (died 21 April 2025) Quarr Abbey, 30 April 2025 On this day, rather than speaking about Pope Francis, I

Easter Day 2025 On the morning of the first day of the week, a big question is in the mind of the little group of

Paschal Vigil 2025 On the seventh day of the creation, God “rested from all his work which he had done”. God is always resting because

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Is 6:3) Today, God’s holiness is revealed to us on the Cross.

Maundy Thursday 2025 On the eve of His Passion, Jesus performed two actions which were equally unexpected: he washed the feet of His disciples, and

Palm Sunday 2025 Luke One of the oldest texts of the New Testament, the so-called Hymn to the Philippians which we heard as our second

The world is so full of suffering and anxiety at the moment it is good to take up the Gospels and draw comfort from them.

Spiritual Blindness Confronted as we are today with a seemingly great darkness everywhere, we may be tempted to despair. On the one hand, we can

Haurietis aquas in gaudio On a visit to the Holy Land some years ago I was struck by the many ancient cisterns that can be

On Ash Wednesday we began our lenten warfare, our spiritual warfare, the only joyful warfare there is. When one begins a war it is important

Joel 2:12-182 Cor 5:20 – 6:2Mt 6:1-6.16-18 Lent is late this year, but it has now finally arrived. We welcome it as a much-needed friend.

Seeing the world from a different point of view I begin with a brief insight from the great physicist and Nobel Prize laureate, Richard Feynman.

Dear Sisters, Dear Brothers, Rejoice! God’s Light has visited us. A great light illumined the shepherds in the night of Christmas. A luminous star filled

Homily for the Third Sunday Ordinary Time, Year C Nehemiah 8:2‐6,8‐101 Corinthians 12:12‐30Luke 1:1‐4,4:14‐21 As soon as he began his public ministry after his baptism,

Communio Personarum In our times of need, we frequently turn to a favourite saint or to our guardian angel, to ask their assistance. We can

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANYSUNDAY 5th JANUARYAT QUARR ABBEY             “Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.” They saw a star, when it rose in

15th January 2025 One hundred years ago, Dom Cozien, abbot of Solesmes, presided over the celebration of the Mass of St Maurus in this abbey

The year we are opening today under the loving gaze of the Mother of God is a year of many anniversaries. Let me mention four

The Incarnation of the Son of God makes him our Brother, so that all of us are children of God and we are all brethren.

God has always been present to his creation. When the world was created at the beginning, God spoke and heaven and earth, stars, sun and

Dear Brethren, have you been born? – I know, it’s a bit late, and I have my French accent. But you did not get me

4th Sunday Advent C, 22 December 2024 The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth Who is this young girl who crosses the Holy Land from the

A heart full of love St John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, in the region of the riverJordan, a baptism of repentance. The multitudes

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9 Dec 2024 Gn 3: 9-15.20Ep 1: 3-6.11-12Lc 1: 26-38 The Archangel Gabriel is on top of his

Advent I (C) 1st December 2024 Jer 33: 14-161 Th 3: 12 – 4:2Lk 21: 25-28.34.36 Dear Brothers and Sisters, is it the end or

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17th33rd IN ORDINARY TIME BQUARR ABBEY             Leaves are falling. That is why this season is called The Fall in the States. But

                                         Healing of the Soul I would like to reflect a little on the human soul. The human person is a unity of body

Into your hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit. This is the prayer of an old man who expresses in a Psalm his trust in

All Saints 2024 Even with a great knowledge and a great imagination, there is not much one can say about heaven. Heaven is beyond our

29B Q 24  In the Sermon on the Mount and also in his discourse at the Last Supper, Our Lord invites his disciples to make

Homily for the 28th Sunday B, 13th September 2024 Money is fascinating. It makes so many things possible. The more money you have, the more

Dedication of the Church 2024 In many Catholic churches, the faithful are given the option, when the homily is a bit boring or the Mass

Seeking the Kingdom of God “Therefore, I tell you”, Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, “do not be anxious about your life. … Which

24 B Q 24 St Peter’s protest to Our Lord when he began to teach the disciples of his approaching passion is echoed in St

We celebrate today with great joy the birth of the Virgin Mary. This is the patronal feast of our monastery, hence our liturgical zeal and

 Let us give thanks to the Lord Our God! St Paul urges us to give thanks in all circumstances and at all times. In this

Assumption 2024 I hope you will not be shocked if I say that sometimes the liturgy of the Church is like a good film. You

1 Kg 19:4-8Ep 4:30 – 5:2Jn 6:41-51 We should never get used to the Holy Eucharist. Rather we should always be surprised that we are

Being Gift Many have been extremely impressed, and I think very rightly so, with the work undertaken and completed for the restoration of Notre Dame

St Paul speaks to us today about God’s plan for humanity, his ‘economy’. In Spanish speaking countries the bursar or procurator of a monastery is

SOLEMNITY OF SAINT BENEDICTTHURSDAY JULY 11th 2024AT SAINT CECILIA’S ABBEYRYDE In the Rule of our Blessed Father Benedict, from the beginning, from the Prologue, we are

St Benedict 2024 (Quarr) Proverbs 2.1-9: The Lord gives wisdom. Colossians 3.12-17: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Matthew 19.27-29: Lo, we

SOLEMNITY POSTPONED IN ENGLANDOF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAULSUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024AT QUARR ABBEY, ISLE OF WIGHT            The world is running in dangerous ways,

If you, O Lord, should note what we do wrong, who then could stand, but there is forgiveness with you.  Our Mass this morning began

Corpus Christi 2024 When Jesus knew that his death was approaching, he did what any Englishman or woman does: he thought of his will –

Two little things happened yesterday which helped me understand the meaning of today’s feast and the gift that the Holy Spirit is. First, a friend

The three readings  speak to us of love. To them we might add the entry chant, which celebrates the liberty the Lord has won for

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter 2024 The Vine (Jn 15) Despite generous efforts here and there, vines are not a strong feature of

Given that the name St George is probably one of the most well-known onthe lips of English people, surprisingly it is unlikely that most of

The Patient Good Shepherd Entering Quarr along our main driveway you may have recently noticed the field on your left filled with all white ewes

Easter Day 2024 I have never been a morning man, but I can make an exception and get up early when something important happens. Therefore,

Paschal Vigil 2024 Dear Brothers and Sisters, I would like to begin this homily by thanking you for your joining us for the celebration of

Peter, my friend, why are you weeping? I have betrayed my master and forsaken my friend. I have crucified my Lord and my God. How

Give us this day our daily bread. The Lord taught us to pray with these humble words. We do not ask for more than necessary.This

Palm Sunday 2024 Mark Each year during Holy Week and at Easter, we learn how to die and how to live. Dying is part of

St Joseph, model of hope Journeying on our life of faith we are confronted by trials, hardships, sufferings. But these trials can be an aid

By reaching out in pity to the Samaritan woman Jesus was breaking three taboos. One social: he, a single man, was speaking to a much

LENT I 18 February 2024 Gn 9:8-151 P 3:18-22Mk 1:12-15 Each year during Lent, the Church is driven into the wilderness after the example of

Joel 2:12-182 Cor 5:20 – 6:2Mt 6:1-6.16-18 What can we expect from Lent? What does the Church expect from Lent? What does God expect from

It may seem to us that the OT Laws around leprosy were very severe and indeed, so they were. Once a person was declared to

+ Presentation of the Lord He 2:14-18Lk 2:22-40 Candles are the ordinary companions of our liturgies. We light two candles, one on each side of

One of the most distressing and alarming effects of original sin is that it is possible for the evil one to gain control of a

Ordinary Sunday III 21 January 2024, Year B Jon 3:1-5.101 Cor7:29-31Mk 1:14-20 “What time is it?” “Sorry, I don’t have time now.” “Great: we have

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD AT QUARR ABBEY SUNDAY 7th JANUARY 2024             “He has spoken through the prophets”. It is what we

1st January 2024 When the shepherds arrived at Bethlehem, they first found Mary, and, with her, “Joseph and the babe lying in a manger”. And

You will have noticed, I am sure, the great unity amongst the musicians of an orchestra. Many different players with different instruments, different music scores,

Christmas Day 2023 Dear Sisters and Brothers, Don’t we like the Gospel we have just heard? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word

Christmas Night 2023 Bethlehem was a little village. It had no special importance except that it was the place where David was born. His family

Sunday Advent IV24 December 2023 It is not easy to be God. Of course, you have good days. A good day, for instance, was the

The Spirit of the Lord came fleetingly to the prophets, inspiring their interventions. The prophet who wrote under the name of Isaiah after the exile

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8 Dec 2023 Gn 3: 9-15.20Ep 1: 3-6.11-12Lc 1: 26-38 This is the first time in this new

That powerful scene described for us by Saint Matthew is the one famously painted by Michelangelo behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel.  It’s a painting

The parable that we have just heard is very dear to St Benedict. He was all in favour of candidates for the monastic life who

      The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the greatest signs of God’s infinite love for the whole world. His loving beating heart

Sunday 31 A – 2023 Mal 1 :14b-2 :1b.8-101 Th 2:7b-9.13Mt 23:1-12 “Call no one your father on earth… neither be called masters…” At first sight, Jesus’

All Saints 2023 Today, we celebrate our brothers and sisters who fully share in God’s light and life, those we call the Saints, who live

Sunday 28 A     Most of us have never been so aware of the violence and hatred in the world as we are today. We

Dedication of the Church 2023 From the beginning, God has prepared for us and for Himself a city. God has for ever dreamt of this

Sunday 27 A – 2023 Is 5:1-7Phil 4:6-9Mt 21:33-43 When you become member of a club, you agree to follow certain rules, you make a

   The chilling conclusion to the parable we have just heard does not lessen the joy I feel when Our Lord teaches about forgiveness. When

At the moment of the Incarnation, when the Son of God becomes the Son of man in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy

When a new child is born, there can be some speculation around her or his name. The Hebrews would wait for one week before revealing

The Cross, the Heart of Religion           One of the titles given to Our Lady is ‘Rosa Mystica’, the mystical rose. As we normally view

Assumption 2023 When you want to go to the top of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, unless you feel ready for hundreds of steps, you

“Bid me come to you”. A wonderful phrase with which we may begin our prayer. Prayer is the most noble activity we can perform. Our

Transfiguration Sunday 6 August 2023 Dl 7 :9-10.13-14 2 P 1 :7-29 Mt 17 :1-9 “In the beginning…the darkness was upon the face of the deep… And God

The prophets of the Old Testament remain important mentors to us to this day. They educate us in submission to God and teach us his

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A1st Reading:  Zec 9:9-102nd reading: Rom 8:9, 11-13Gospel: Mt 11:25-30 A Missionary of Charity. I recall in the 1970s

Saint Benedict was not the first monk ever. One could even say he came relatively late in the history of the monastic movement. When did

SOLEMNITY OF THE APOSTLESSAINTS PETER AND PAUL29 JUNE 2023AT QUARR ABBEY During our diocesan pilgrimages in Rome, visiting the most ancient churches in the City,

The Lord is the strength of his people. Three times in our short Gospel reading, Our Lord commands us not to be afraid: we are

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am very moved to be preaching today in this abbey church of Notre-Dame de Quarr, built by our fathers of

Act 2:1-111 Cor 12:3b-7.12-13Jn 20:19-23 I do not know which of the two divine visits evoked in today’s readings is more surprising, more unexpected. Is

“This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christwhom you have sent.” The prophets of the Old Testament

Ascension 2023 When you take leave of a dear one, it is sometimes a nice thing to say, ‘I leave you for now, but, you

Sunday Easter VI – A Act 8:5-8;14-171 P 3:15-18Jn 14:15-21 Where is God? We can think of many answers to this question. First, we could

Easter Day 2023 A woman goes first to the tomb. She pays it the very first visit, as soon as the Sabbath is over. It

Paschal Vigil 2023 In the beginning was the water. No, I am wrong; I should say: In the beginning were the waters, for, as soon

Jesus’ Cross reads like a book. All that happens on Golgotha is presented by the Gospels in the light of the Old Testament. The Law,

A Catholic church is built around the sacrifice and the presence of Christ. On the altar, Christ’s body and blood are offered for our reconciliation.

Palm Sunday 2023 – Matthew Today we enter the climate of silence which is so proper to the week we call the “holy week”. The

Let us reflect on a single point of the portrait of St Joseph given us in St Matthew’s gospel, his dreams. Four times he was

What is truth? We shall hear Pilate put this question to Our Lord on GoodFriday. Our Lord Jesus Christ is himself the Truth, the perfect

Lent II 2023 Transfiguration Gn 12:1-42 Tim 1:8b-10Mt 17:1-9 The Sundays in Lent all tend to Easter. Last Sunday, Temptation Sunday, manifested the dark side

The True Christian 1 st reading: Gen. 2: 7-9; 3: 1-72 nd Reading: Rom. 5: 12-19Gospel: Mt 4: 1-11 “A true Christian”, wrote St John

Joel 2:12-182 Cor 5:20 – 6:2Mt 6:1-6.16-18 So, we are dust. We are dust and we shall return to dust. Today, we bless and receive

Our justice is to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. Their ideal should have been to attain the justice of Abraham, our father in

We often hear, these days, the word evangelisation and the phrase the new evangelisation. Whereas in the past, missionaries would set off from Christian Europe

Light of the Church “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dweltin a land of deep darkness, on them

Today we hear the fulfilment of the prophecy of the priest Zechariah that the little child,his son John, would bring knowledge of salvation to Israel.

At Bethlehem, two adorations honoured the Word made flesh. At the time of the Nativity, the adoration of the shepherds was the expression that the

1st January 2023 The Child whom the shepherds see in the manger and whom his parents present for his circumcision, and the Spirit who, according

Christmas Day 2022 With the very limited experience which is mine, I have noticed that babies tend to sleep a lot. Most of the time,

Christmas Night 2022 Is 9: 1-6 Tit 2: 11-14 Lc 2: 1-14 There is something lovely in a child, a very young child, in a

Gn 3: 9-15.20 Ep 1: 3-6.11-12 Lc 1: 26-38 According to the Litany of Loreto, Mary is the “Seat of Wisdom”. She conceived in her

John, the last and greatest of the prophets did not minister in Jerusalem but in the silence of the desert. There he called his countrymen

Is 2:1-5 Rom 13:11-14a Mt 24:37-44 The first thing you do when you begin a journey is to decide on a destination. We are used

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KINGSUNDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2022QUARR ABBEY In his Rule, saint Benedict organizes the psalmody so that “Sunday Vigils always begins with the

As Our Lord approached Jerusalem he wept over it because he foresaw its destruction, and the fearful suffering that was to result. He loved the

Sons and Daughters of the Resurrection.As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year, our mass readings become more focussed on the end times and

All Saints 2022 Ap 7, 2-4. 9-14 I Jo 3, 1-3 Mt 5, 1-12a I am not sure that the image of a great multitude

28C Q 22Gratitude is a wonderful thing, it is an emotion that stirs up all that is best in us,happiness, readiness to reach out to

Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C1 st reading: Hab. 1: 2-3; 2: 2-42 nd reading: 2 Tim. 1: 6-8, 13-14Gospel: Luke 17:

NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 2022 Mi 5: 1-4Rm 8: 28-30Mt 1: 1-23 Christ’s ancestry in the Gospel of St Matthew is read a

Sunday 23, Year C 4th September 2022 Ws 9:13-18Philémon 9b-10.12-17Lk 14:25-33 A priest who had specialised in working with teenagers in difficulty was walking late

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Readings: Sirach 3:17-18,20,28-29 Hebrews 12: 18-19 Luke 14: 1,7-14 Creative with Weakness “Accepting reality with all its

Assumption 2022 At the end of the Hail Mary, we ask Mary to “pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death”.

Sunday 19C 7 August 2022 Ws 18:6-9He 11:1-2.8-19Lk 12: 32-48 From Sunday to Sunday, we journey by faith. The Church is the people of God

Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C 1st reading: Dt. 30: 10-14 2nd reading: Col. 1: 15-20 Gospel: Lk.: 10: 25-37 Our Gospel episode

Sunday 14 C 3 July 2022 Is 66:10-14c Ga 6:14-18 Lk 10: 1-12.17-20 Today’s Gospel speaks of mission. Jesus sends 70 (or 72) disciples, two

Corpus Christi 2022 Gn 14:18-201 Cor 11:23-26Lk 9:11b-17 At the end of this Mass, weather permitting, we shall go in procession in honour of the

Pentecost 2022 Ac 2:1-11Rom 8:8-17Jn 14:15-16.23-26 What shall I say in honour of the Holy Spirit? He alone can speak aptly about Himself. Is He

Seventh Sunday of Easter – Year C 1st reading: Acts 7: 55 -60 2nd reading: Rev. 22: 12-14, 16-17, 20 Gospel: John 17: 20-26 A

It does not come as a surprise that when the Son of God made the journey to our world He had in his pocket a

Third Sunday of Easter – Year C Acts 5: 27-32,40b-41 Rev. 5: 11-14 Jn. 21:1-19 Man is on a journey through life, a spiritual journey.

I remember my sadness, a few years ago, when a friend of mine who had been brought up in a Lutheran family in Germany, told

On the seashore, a woman raises her voice. “Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister took up in her hand the hand-drum, and all the women went

Good Friday 2022 Jesus is dead and risen from the dead. Shouldn’t His resurrection make us forget about the Cross, just as one forgets about

MAUNDY THURSDAY 2022 For many years, Israel cried to God and longed for the night of their liberation. Once the Passover night had arrived, the

Palm Sunday 2022 Year C – Luke To those who come to arrest him, Jesus declares: “This is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Fifth Sunday of Lent Resurrection of Lazarus (John 11) Last Sunday at Cecilia’s Abbey we had the gospel of the prodigal son, and I offered

Ash Wednesday 2022 Joel 2:12-18 2 Cor 5:20 – 6:2 Mt 6:1-6.16-18 In a troubled country, many centuries before Christ, the prophet Joel voiced a

Sunday 13th February 2022 6th Sunday – Year C Jer 17:5-81 Cor 5:12.16-20Lk 6:17.20-26 Jesus has ascended the mountain where he spent the night in

Fourth Sunday of the Year C 30 January 2022 No prophet is acceptable in his own country. When we consider the life and ministry of

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Readings: Neh 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 1 Cor 12: 12-30 Lk. 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21 On the

EPIPHANY 2022 Is 60:1-6 Eph 3:2-3.5-6 Mt 2:1-12 Jesus has never been without His Church. The Bridegroom has always be one with the Bride. The

Second Sunday of Christmas 2 January 22 The word awesome has recently become fashionable again. Well, if a text can be called awesome, it the

1st January 2022 At Christmas, Mary adores. She is, of course, fascinated by the Child she holds in her arms and feeds with her breasts.

Feast of the Holy Family – Year C 1st reading: 1 Sam. 1: 20-22, 24-28 2nd reading: I John 3: 1-2, 21-24 Gospel: Luke 5:

Christmas Night 2021 Is 9: 1-6 Tit 2: 11-14 Lc 2: 1-14 “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great

Christmas Day 2021 Is 52: 7-10 Hb 1: 1-6 Jn 1: 1-18 “There was evening and there was morning, one day” (Gn 1:5). Jesus’s birth

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 8 Dec 2021 Gn 3: 9-15.20 Ep 1: 3-6.11-12 Lc 1: 26-38 Yesterday evening at the beginning of

Second Sunday of Advent – C 5th December 2021 Ba 5:1-9 Phil 1:4-6.8-11 Lc 3:1-6 Collect of this Sunday: Almighty and merciful God,may no earthly

Advent I (C) 28 November 2021 Jer 33: 14-161 Th 3: 12 – 4:2Lk 21: 25-28.34.36 In the first reading of the first Mass of

Solemnity of All Saints 2021 1st reading: Rev. 7: 2-4,9-14 2nd reading: I John 3: 1-3 Gospel: Matt. 5: 1-12a Today we are celebrating the

Sunday 28B Wis 7:7-11Hb 4:12-13 Mk 10:17-30 When we hear in the Letter to the Hebrews that ‘the Word of God is living and active,

Dedication of the Church 2021 Bereshit bara elohim et hashamayyim veet haarets. If you have done even even very little Hebrew, you know this verse,

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year BReadings: Gen 2: 18-2Heb 2: 9-11Mk 10: 2-12 The understanding of the covenantal bond of marriage and concerns

NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 2021 Mi 5: 1-4Rm 8: 28-30Mt 1: 1-23 It must be very clear that we do love St Joseph.

Sunday 23 B 5th September 2021 Is 35.4-7a Js 2.1-5 Mk 7.31-37 It should not come as a surprise that Jesus is an expert in

Feast of St Benedict Sunday 11th July 2021 Saint Benedict, like St Anthony of Egypt, became aware of God’s call and of his thirst for

Sts Peter and Paul 29 June 2021 Peter’s Confession of Faith The Confession of St Peter comes at the very centre of the Gospel of

Sunday 27 June 2021 Sunday 13 Year B The Resurrection of Jairus’ Daughter Talitha qoum: ‘Little girl arise, stand, endure’. At Christmas we read the

St John the Baptist2021 There is a great joy at St John’s birth. There is – or there should always be – a great joy

Dom Brian-Gerard Kelly’s Homily, Sunday 13 June 2021 Eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year B 1st reading: Ez. 17:22-24 2nd reading: 2nd Cor. 5:6-10

Pentecost 2021 Act 2:1-11 Ga 5:16-25 Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15 Dear Brethren, may I ask you: ‘Are you friends with the Holy Spirit?’ If you are

Easter Sunday VII16 May 2021 Ac 1:15-17.20a.20c-261 Jn 4:11-16Jn 17:11b-19 On his way to the Father, Jesus prays. As He lifts up his eyes to

Ascension of the Lord 2021 When He was on earth, the “Son of man [had] nowhere to lay his head” (Mt 8:20). He was born

Sixth Sunday of Easter – Year B Readings: Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-481 John 4:7-10John 15:9-17 Over the past week, beginning with last Sunday’s Gospel and

4th Sunday in Paschaltide25 April 2021At St Cecilia’s Abbey Ryde The image of the shepherd brings a note of tenderness to the conversations Our Lord

Sunday III in Paschal Tide 18 April 2021 A Call to Conversion Our friend Père Louis Bouyer was scathing in his remarks about Ronnie Knox’s

Year B readings:1st reading: Acts: 4:32-352nd reading: 1 John 5:1-6Gospel: John 20:19-31 The disciples are gathered together in a room behind shut doors. They fear

You have in English a lovely phrase about the dropping of a penny. The first time I heard it, I did not immediately get it,

“And God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” Let us celebrate in this sacred night Sister Light. From the very beginning of

Ecce Homo. Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them: “Behold the man”. Ecce homo. Do you

This evening, we are opening the celebrations of the Paschal Triduum: the three sacred days when the Church celebrates how Jesus went through His Passion

Palm Sunday 2021B – Mark One year ago yesterday, during a moving ceremony in Rome, Pope Francis blessed the world wounded by the pandemic. Many

Annunciation 2021 In most polyphonic settings of the Creed, one can observe a change of mood and rhythm when the choir comes to the words:

Homily on the Feast of St Joseph19th March 2021 by Dom Prior Gregory Corcoran Nathan’s prophecy to David is a very wonderful one, fulfilled in

Homily for St Patrick’s Day 2021 by Dom Brian Gerard Kelly OSB Growing up in Ireland, memories of St Patrick’s’ Day are always ones of

Third Sunday of Lent – Year A Readings 1 st reading: Ex 17:3-72 nd reading: Rom 5: 1-2; 5-8Gospel: John 4: 5-42 Jesus and his

Saint Scholastica 2021 Os 2:16.17b.21-22Ap 19:1.5-9aLc 10:38-42 On the fifth day, God created “every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to

Sunday 14 February 2021Sunday 6 Year B “Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the leper.” In these days of Covid there

Presentation of the Lord 2021 Mal 3:1-4He 2:14-18Lk 2:22-40 “There are three that bear witness: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these

Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time – Year B Readings: Deut: 18:15-201 Cor 7:32-35Mk 1:21-28 How wonderful is the Lord in His mysteries! Having called His

Christ’s Baptism Source of Ours Homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord10 January 2021by Dom Nicholas Spencer In John 2 we read:“

Harmony in the Family Homily for the Feast of the Holy FamilyYear Bby Dom Brian Gerard KELLY Readings: Sir 3: 2-6; 10-14Col 3: 12-21Lk. 2:22-40

Little by Little Homily for Christmas Night 2020by Abbot Xavier Perrin Is 9: 1-6Tit 2: 11-14Lc 2: 1-14 The power of little thingsI guess that

Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent 2020 by Fr Gregory Corcoran, Prior Repentance and Faith: Listening to the Voice of St John the Baptist

OUR IMMACULATE MOTHER HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 2020 By Frère Henri Poujol, Deacon, OSB, monk of

Readings: Ezek. 34:11-12,15-171 Cor 15: 20-26,28Mt. 25:31-46 On September 10 1946, a young Albanian Loreto sister was on a train journey to Darjeeling in India.