Belmont at 100: Photos from the Archives
Abbot Brendan Thomas • July 22, 2020
This year we mark the Centenary of Belmont becoming an independent Abbey. (It was built and founded in 1859 and up to this point the monastery had mainly served as a Common Novitiate and House of Studies, and the church as a Cathedral). Here are some historic photographs.
It is sad that we have not been able to celebrate together this Centenary as we had planned. We have dug these photos out of our archives. They reveal what Belmont looked like at different times in the past.
Written on the back of this photo is "50th Anniversary of the Cathedral Priory (the only one in the world!)"
This historic status would change 5 years later when Belmont became an independent Abbey.
Belmont in 1859: The could be the oldest photo we have of Belmont, the year it was built. Notice the original entrance to the church on the south side, which is now the Memorial Altar chapel.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
