News from the Community

Dom Brendan Thomas • August 1, 2020

It has been a while since I posted news of the Community. 

The most significant thing is to ask your prayers for Fr Alexander, who was unexpectedly taken into hospital and had to have surgery – nothing related to the virus. We were all very concerned about him, but I am pleased to report that he is out of intensive care and making a steady recovery. Please keep him in your prayers. It was only recently, on the feast of St Peter and Paul, that he celebrated his 40th Anniversary of Ordination.

One of the greatest hardships that many are experiencing at this time, is that we cannot visit people in hospital. We have to hold on to the knowledge that they are well cared for. However, we are lucky that Fr Patrick is the Catholic Chaplain to the hospital and is able to see Fr Alexander. He might be in hospital for another couple of weeks, but please God, he will be well enough to return soon.

We have also not been able to see our brethren outside the monastery who are working on our parishes, but they are all keeping safe and well and ministering as they are able. 

Hedley Lodge will remain closed for the time being, but we are very happy that it has been put to good use accommodating the homeless during the crisis. When so much of our ministry is curtailed we can do something good to help. We were pleased to see Mother Davina visit from Colwich, bringing some things that would be useful for the homeless - see the picture below.

We are all certainly practicing our vow of stability at the moment. In some sense we are better prepared for a lockdown than some people, and we cannot complain because we have a good deal of space around us. I was due to be giving some retreats and workshops to our fellow Benedictines and Cistercians in Australia at this time. It was not to be! 

Perhaps it was some compensation to finally have a day out after 3 months, and take our postulant and juniors out for a day trip to the Gower for some sea air.  I took some photographs of the scenery. We have some of the best beaches in the world, but it is many years since I had been there. Perhaps this is a time for all of us to see again and enjoy what is beautiful around us.

Stay safe and well,

Fr Brendan

Parish Masses


Will things ever return to normal? It all seems to be going on for a very long time and it is so sad to feel cut off even from our neighbours because of this social distancing. 


At least the Parish Masses have started again, although we cannot share our Community liturgy at the moment because of the restrictions. 


Abbot Paul, who is the parish priest, together with Br Augustine, have been busy turning the church around to be able to accommodate more people with the distancing required. Rather than use the main altar, the Memorial Altar is being used for the Masses. 


A lot of work has gone in to ensure that we follow the measures correctly to keep everyone safe and well. A number of the parish have volunteered as stewards


It was good to welcome almost a hundred

people to Mass last weekend and around forty

between the two weekday Masses. 


Update from Br Dunstan, our Beekeeper

It is about three years now since the first honey bees arrived here at Belmont. Progress has been slow, but now the Abbey has two colonies of bees. One starting from a low number coming out of winter, is building up nicely, they look healthy and should provide a little excess honey that I can extract later in the summer. The second hive, sadly, is struggling and it will do well to survive the year. I have put a third hive out which is empty ready to do an artificial swarm, (in order to prevent an actual swarm) or to house a swarm if one comes this way.

I would like to thank all those who have made gifts to the apiary. We were graciously given some new hives last year which are ready to expand the apiary as I grow in experience and learn to work with the bees and not against them.

Sometimes I come across references to bees in my reading. Here is one from the Path of Perfection by St Teresa of Avila, chapter 18.

“If we cultivate the habit, (prayer of recollection) make the necessary effort and practice the exercises for several days, the benefits will reveal themselves, and when we begin to pray we shall realise that the bees are coming to the hive and entering it to make the honey, and all without any effort of ours.”

May Almighty God Creator of Heaven and Earth bless the bees and bless our benefactors with the sweetness of contemplation after the stings of compunction and the hard work of foraging in meditation, and may He be praised in all his creatures now and forever. Amen.

By Abbot Brendan Thomas May 17, 2025
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. Reception of Body and Mass of Remembrance Friday 30th May, 11am, St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Swansea 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. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
By Abbot Brendan Thomas May 15, 2025
Abbot Brendan's Homily on the Gospel of the Visitation
May 15, 2025
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. Reception of Body and Mass of Remembrance Friday 30th May, 11am, St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Swansea Requiem Mass & Burial Thursday 5th June, 12 noon, Belmont Abbey Bishop Mark served this community well for many years, not least Abbot and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
By Abbot Brendan Thomas May 11, 2025
Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB Bishop Mark died peacefully on 9th May. Reception of Body and Mass of Remembrance Friday 30th May, 11am, St Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Swansea Requiem Mass & Burial Thursday 5th June, 12 noon, Belmont Abbey Bishop Mark served this community well for many years, not least Abbot and before that Headmaster of the School. He was then asked to serve the wider church as Bishop of Menevia. May he know eternal happiness with God whom he served. Please pray for the eternal happiness of Rt. Rev. Dom Mark Jabalé 10th Bishop of Menevia 10th Abbot of Belmont who died 9th May 2025 in the 92nd year of his age, the 73rd year of his monastic life and the 67th year of his priesthood. May he rest in peace
By Abbot Brendan Thomas May 6, 2025
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 24, 2025
New Title
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 21, 2025
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)
By Abbot Paul April 21, 2025
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.
By Abbot Brendan Thomas April 20, 2025
"He is not here, for he is risen." Homily by Abbot Brendan
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