A Spiritual Holiday

What can I say about our Secular Carmelite retreat at Belmont Abbey near Hereford last week?  The sun shone, the abbey church is magnificent, sharing in the daily liturgy of the monks was very moving, the food was delectable, and we received injections of spiritual wisdom in the form of talks by the wonderful Fr Matt Blake.  He expounded John of the Cross’s Spiritual Canticle with his customary perceptiveness and delicacy.  The Abbey has already been booked for the equivalent week in 2027 (28 June to 2 July) and most of those present signified that they would be delighted to return.  The Benedictines have been such a blessing to us down the years with their hospitality, but they need prayers – like so many of the Orders – for new vocations.

Intercessions

RIP Mervyn Leach, father of two Secular Carmelites

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, Theresa K

Sophie – newborn having heart surgery

Ivy – sick child

Brian (recovering from Pneumonia)

Kevin (heart attack)

William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Mark – brain infection

Michael, Kira – vulnerable youngsters

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.