Abbot Alan Rees OSB - R.I.P.

Born 1941-Died 2005; Abbot of Belmont 1986 to 1993

With the greatest sadness the Belmont Community announce the death of Abbot Alan much loved member of the Belmont Community who died tragically on 2nd October 2005.

Anyone connected with the Belmont Community would know the enourmous loss that is felt by the Belmont Community, his family and many friends.

Over the years his music has enriched the prayer at Belmont and beyond, his wisdom and pastoral care to the monks as Novice Master and Abbot and as housemaster in the School encouraged and helped so many. His good humour, relaxed style and simple holiness was an inspiration to those that knew him.

Other pages:

HOMILY Abbot Paul's funeral homily

OBITUARIES from The Times and The Telegraph

PRAYERS from Abbot Alan's Prayers from the Cloister

The Requiem and Burial

The Requiem Mass for Abbot Alan was held on Monday 10th October 2005. The sheer numbers that packed into the Church was testimony to the esteem and affection with which he was held.

The presence of Catholic bishops, priests and male and female religious indicated the way Abbot Alan had enriched the life of the Church at a local and national level through music and pastoral care. As Vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese of Cardiff in recent years and through retreats and worshops Alan had been of service to religious and their communities. Abbots and abbesses, monks and nuns were present from many monastic houses. Present too were fellow church musicians who had appreciated his contribution to Church music for the new liturgy that came in with the Second Vatican Council. The presence of bishops, clergy and friends from the Anglican and Non-Conformist traditions was a reminder of Alan's own faith journey and the continued ecumenical friendships that he enjoyed. A number of old boys and staff from Belmont Abbey School gave thanks for his years as housemaster and teacher, And finally so many friends that Alan had made down the years- oblates, parishioners, school friends - joined Alan's family and monastic community to give thanks for his life and pray for his journey to the hands of merciful and loving God.

The music for the Mass brought out the different dimensions of Alan's life. The Monastic Choir led the gregorian Requiem chants that are always sung at monastic funerals at Belmont- ancient melodies that Alan loved and influenced his music. Two Welsh hymns brought out his musical and faith roots - Love Divine all loves excelling (Blaenwern), began the Mass, and Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer (Cwm Rhondda) was sung at the final commendation. And Alan's own music - the Alleluia that was sung for Pope John Paul's visit in 1982, the Paschal Mass, and a fine setting of Psalm 26 were sung. The Belmont community sang one of his finest pieces - Where is love and loving kindness, God is there. Three of his Organ Scholars from school shared the accompaniment, and the Mass was preceeded by two of his Psalm Preludes on Welsh Hymn Tunes, Aberystwyth and Llef.

In the readings, one of the chosen texts was that Alan chose for his ordination card "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Abbot Paul presided over the Mass and praised and thanked God in the homily "for the gift of Alan and for Alan's life, all of it, the good and the bad, the joyful and the sad, the holiness and the sinfulness, that richly interwoven texture of the human and the divine that meant so much to so many and to God himself." The congregation prayed with great confidence that Alan was now in the hands of God.

As someone remarked, his body was carried out "riding on alleluias through the great West door into the bright warm sun." It was taken to its resting place amongst the Abbots' graves in the cemetery. Bishop Mark Jabale, who had been Prior when Alan was Abbot said the prayers of commendation, and Bishop Daniel Mullins, who ordained him, prayed at his graveside.

The Collect of the Mass

All-powerful God, we pray for our brother Alan, who responded to the call of Christ and pursued wholeheartedly the ways of perfect love. Grant that he may rejoice on that day when your glory will be revealed, and in company with his brothers and sisters share for ever in the happiness of your kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reignes with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.May he rest in peace. Amen.