A Life in Community

The monastic community is the place where we learn the practical business of loving.
St Benedict describes it as a "School of the Lord's Service." 

The Genius of St Benedict

St Benedict’s great insight was to draw on the wisdom of the early monks and shape it into a simple Rule that offers both practical guidance and spiritual depth. Pope St Gregory the Great described it as marked by “discretion” — a sign of Benedict’s deep understanding of people and his gentle encouragement for all who seek God.


Benedict began his own search for God as a hermit, but soon discovered the gift of community. We find God not alone, but with and through one another. In community we receive support, encouragement, and the wisdom of shared experience.


"And so we are going to establish a school of the Lord's service..." 



Benedict called the monastery a “school of the Lord’s service,” where we learn to live the Gospel day by day. At its heart is the call to love God and one another as Christ has loved us. From the Abbot to the newest member, all are invited to grow together in faith, respect, and love.

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From the Rule of St Benedict

Benedict set before his community a vision inspired by love: 


"This zeal, therefore monks must practise with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behaviour, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. Not one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they must show the pure love of brothers; to God loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life" (Chapter 72) 


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The Belmont Community Today

Community residents

Right Rev Dom Brendan Thomas, Abbot & Dean of St John Kemble Deanery
Very Rev Dom Alexander Kenyon, Prior, Junior Master
Dom Peter Madden, Subprior, Sacristan, Master of Ceremonies
Very Rev Michael Evans, Cathedral Prior of Gloucester
Rev Dom Joseph Parkinson
Rev Dom James Norris, Librarian, Bookshop Manager
Rev Dom Jonathan Rollinson, Guestmaster, Oblate Master, Refectorian
Dom Dunstan Nelson, Infirmarian, Assistant Novice Master
Rev Dom Augustine Primavesi, Parish Priest of Belmont
Dom Meinrad Earley, Junior - Studies
Dom Gildas Dudonis, Junior - Studies
Br Alban Smith

Parishes

Abbot Paul Stonham, Parish Priest, Leominster & Bromyard

Very Rev Dom Simon McGurk, Parish Priest, Weobley and Kington

Rev Dom Thomas Regan, Parish Priest, St Wulstan's, Little Malvern

Rev Dom Matthew Carney, Parish Priest, Abergavenny & Llanarth

Rev Dom Andrew Berry, Priest, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Hereford

Rev Dom Augustine Primavesi, Parish Priest, Belmont Abbey, Hereford

Monastery - Peru

Rev Dom Alex Echeandia Loro, Prior, Novice Master, Iconographer
Rev Dom Percy Abel Gonzales Gastelo, Subprior, i/c Finance
Rev Dom Richard Yeo, Novice Master
Dom Mario Sosa Amay, Oblate Master, Legal Representative
Dom Wilmer Adanaque Inga, i/c Kitchen & Catering
Dom Jose Luis Sanchez Espinoza, i/c Shop
Br Mateo Morales Ramirez, Junior
Br Antonio Quispe Canlla, Junior
Br Miguel Rimarchin Pinedo, Junior
Br Saúl Castillo Medina, Junior

Serving elsewhere

Right Rev Dom Nicholas Wetz, Abbot of the Community of St Gregory the Great
Dom Cenydd Marrison - on Sabbatical

Community Gallery

Where charity and love are found, God is there

Ubi Caritas: Chant for Maundy Thursday

The love of Christ 
has gathered us together in one.
Let us rejoice and be glad in him.
Let us fear and love the living God
and love each other 
from the depth of our heart.

Therefore when we are together,
let us take heed
not to be divided in mind.
Let there be an end to bitterness and quarrels, and end to strife
and in our midst be Christ our God.
And in company with the blessed
may we see
Your face in glory Christ our God,
Pure and unbounded joy
for ever and ever.
Amen.