At the end of June we were able to host the Belmont Parish Fete. It was such a joy to have it again after covid – its theme was “happy to be together again.”
Louise Wright and her fantastic team of volunteers organized a fantastic event.
Community News
Dom Brendan Thomas • October 20, 2022
It has been a while since we have reported some community news, but it has been quite a full summer. Here are a few of the things that have happened over the summer.
June
In June Fr Brendan returned from Rome and Assisi where he had been directing the Monastic Formators’ Programme first in Rome and Assisi. There were 26 participants, men and women from 17 different countries. At one point half the group got covid – it was always a risk – but things were soon back on track. One of the highlights was the presence of Fr Michael Casey OCSO from Australia. He is perhaps the best monastic writer and teacher today, and the group was delighted to be present when he was given an honourary doctorate at Sant’ Anselmo during this stay with us.
July
On 11th July, the feast of St Benedict Patron of Europe, the English Benedictine Congregation began its General Chapter at Buckfast, which included for the first time nuns from Ireland, Sweden and Australia. Abbot Paul and Fr Richard represented the Community, while Fr Brendan, Fr Jonathan and Fr Luke were the secretaries and officials. The Chapter lasted for 10 days and was a very positive experience even as many serious issues were addressed. Abbot Christopher Jamison we re-elected as Abbot President.
At the end of July the Bookshop was moved to a new location under the direction of Fr James. We were delighted to have with us the children’s author Madeleine Carroll and her family.
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August
Abbot Paul announced that Fr Michael would be returning from St Francis Xavier’s Church in Hereford, where he had served as a much-loved parish priest for over 20 year. He would become Prior and Novice Master. Fr Brendan would be going to St Francis Xavier’s in his place, as Parish Priest beginning in September.
August and September are regularly months of local pilgrimage. First to Welsh Newton, to the grave of St John Kemble, and then to Usk to the grave of St David Lewis (his cousin) – both counted amongst the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales. Separately, Fr Brendan was interviewed for Shalom TV regarding St John Kemble. They are doing a lovely series of films on the 40 martyrs of England and Wales, the programme on St John Kemble is forthcoming. https://www.shalomworld.org/show/40-martyrs-of-england-&-wales
Also in this period the Belmont community was represented at the Ecumenical Vespers at Tintern Abbey and then a group went to Cardiff Cathedral to visit the relics of St Bernadette.
September
Things are finally returning to normal in the Abbey Church, with the re-opening of the glass porch and the removal of all the remaining covid restrictions that are allowed. The north porch and west door would remain closed in order to try and save on heating costs as the weather turns colder.
Abbot Paul paid a visit to our brothers in Peru at the monastery of Lurin. He found them to be in good heart, despite the problems that the country is facing. He was impressed by the hard work the community did, and the genuine fraternity amongst them. One reason for his visit was the Canonical Visitation which is conducted every four years. For this he was accompanied by Abbot Benito of Las Condes Abbey, Santiago, Chile. Fr Alex Echeandía was reappointed as prior.
Our brethren in Peru were delighted with the election of Pope Leo.
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. Requiem Mass & Burial Thursday 5th June, 12 noon, Belmont Abbey John Peter Jabale was born on 16th October 1933 in Alexandria, Egypt of mainly European heritage. His father was Lebanese/French, and his mother British/Greek/French. He attended the Lycée Français in Alexandria until 1948, when he was sent to England, having expressed a desire to join the Navy. He enrolled at Belmont Abbey School and, upon leaving school, joined the Abbey, taking the religious name Mark. He was ordained to the priesthood on 13 July 1958. He was then sent to the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, where he obtained a Licentiate in French Literature, writing his thesis on Joseph de Maistre, the French counter-revolutionary. He later completed a Diploma in Education at St Mary’s, Strawberry Hill, where he also played rugby for the University. From 1964, he taught sport and served as a housemaster at the school. In 1969, he was appointed Headmaster of Alderwasley School in Derbyshire, though he held that post for only half a term before being recalled to Belmont to serve as Headmaster there, a role he held—apart from a sabbatical—until 1983. From 1964 he was teaching sport and then was a housemaster in the School. In 1969 he was appointed Headmaster of Alderwasley School, Derbyshire, but filled that post for only half a term. He was called back to Belmont to be Headmaster where he served, apart from a sabbatical, until 1983. Fr Mark was a rowing coach of considerable repute. During his sabbatical in 1979, he assisted Dan Topolski in coaching the Oxford crew for the Boat Race. His greatest coaching triumph came when he led a lightweight coxless four to a gold medal at the World Rowing Championships in Bled, Yugoslavia — the only gold medal won by Great Britain that year. The following year, he was invited to coach for the Olympics, but he declined in order to remain committed to Belmont. He was a steward of Henley Royal Regatta and was responsible for setting up and programming its first computerised systems. He was ahead of may in seeing the potential of new technology. In 1983, he was sent to Peru to purchase land and build a new monastery, which included raising funds in the UK. The new monastery was blessed, and the first Mass was celebrated there by the Archbishop of Piura, Oscar Cantuarias Pastor, in June 1986 together with Abbot Jerome, Fr Paul, Fr Luke, Fr David as well as Fr Mark. Dom Mark returned to Belmont as Prior and was elected the 10th Abbot of Belmont in 1993. He later wrote: “My first and most painful task proved to be the overseeing of the closure of the school.” Together with the bursar, John Hubert, he negotiated with the local NHS for the 4 houses to be leased to them. In 2000, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Menevia by Pope John Paul II and was ordained bishop in St Joseph’s Cathedral, Swansea, on 7 December 2000. He succeeded Bishop Daniel Mullins as the 10th Bishop of Menevia on 12 June 2001. During his episcopate, he held several important offices: Chairman of the Department for Christian Life and Worship, Trustee and Visitator of the three foreign seminaries — the Venerable English College (Rome), the Beda College (Rome), and the Royal English College (Valladolid). He was also Bishop-in-Charge of on-going formation for diocesan priests. Upon reaching the age of 75, Bishop Jabale submitted his resignation to the Holy Father on 16 October 2008 and was succeeded by Bishop Tom Burns. He then moved to Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, and was inducted as Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in March 2009, a post he held until 2014. At the age of 81, he retired to Hendon in London, where he celebrated daily Mass at a local convent, assisted in various parishes, and continued to help with confirmations in the diocese. In October 2019, he moved to Archbishop’s House, Westminster, for nine months. Finally, he returned to Belmont in 2020 as a much-cherished member of the community. He described himself as “very happy.” He remained there until his death in Hereford County Hospital on 9 May 2025, aged 91. He had been a monk of Belmont for 73 years, a priest for 67 years and a bishop for 24 years. Condolences came from Pope Leo XIV:
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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.