Deceased Monks

Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.

We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.

Archbishop Mark O'Toole, of Cardiff-Menevia presided at the Requiem Mass for Bishop Mark, while Abbot Brendan conducted his burial. Cardinal Vincent Nichols preached a homily full of warmth and affection for Bishop Mark which is reproduced below.

Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB RIP Given at his funeral by Dom Alexander Kenyon Baby Jean Pierre (Mark) Jabale was born on October 16th, 1933, in Alexandria, Egypt. As he said, himself, his background could be considered “cosmopolitan”: his father was Lebanese / French and his Mother, British / Greek / French. He also reminded people that he wasn’t Egyptian. Through his mother, Arlette, he was related to St. Jean Vianney, so it was, perhaps, no surprise that he followed in his priestly footsteps. His father, Jean, was MD of Fiat and Simca cars Europe and, maybe surprisingly or not, he did love a car – not, however, Italian cars, but German; he loved his Audis. Perhaps we should begin today by remembering his mother and father, his brothers Christian and Paul and his nieces, here today, Aline and Nathalie and Isabelle and their families – they were so dear to him and he to them and I know they miss him enormously. Young Jean wanted to join the Navy and came to England, to Belmont Abbey school but the Lord had other ideas – he ended up joining the rather land locked monastery, our dear, late Fr. Raymund opining that he wouldn’t last a month. After a rather uninspiring course of priestly studies (his words, not mine) he studied for a Licentiate in French literature in Fribourg, then a Dip Ed at Strawberry Hill and played Rugby there – the Papist Witch Doctor as he was affectionately known. Teaching followed, at Belmont, Housemaster, acting Headmaster, then to Alderwasley, our prep school in Derbyshire as Headmaster, and then back to Belmont soon after as Headmaster. In 1983 he went to Peru to build our first monastery there only to realise there was little money. So, he returned to the UK to put in a stint of fundraising with his usual zeal and determination. With his mission accomplished he was asked by Abbot Alan to return to Belmont as his prior in 1986 – Peru remained close to his heart. In 1993 he was elected Abbot. In his time as Abbot, he had to preside over the closure of the school, necessary but no less painful for him. In 2000 he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Menevia and succeeded Bishop Mullins in 2001. He retired as Ordinary in 2008 and “retired” to Chipping Norton as parish priest, then Hendon, saying Mass for the nuns and helping with confirmations. After a spell at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, living with his great friend Cardinal Nichols, he came home to Belmont – it was as though he had never been away and he loved being back in the monastery, particularly praying the Office with the community. That’s the list, of sorts, but it doesn’t really say “who” he was. I haven’t mentioned his outstanding contribution to rowing – the 1979 coxless, lightweight four gold medal at the world championships in Bled, which almost didn’t happen as, at the last minute, he was told there was no money to send the crew. He begged, cajoled and got them there – the video footage of the final is compelling. He transformed Henley Royal Regatta, writing a computer programme for the race results – he was well ahead of his time. He coached the Oxford Boat, ran the Heads of the River Schools Regatta, and more. What an achievement from someone who had never sat in a boat but learned on the job, as he said, “from books, mainly”. It was his determination, his commitment, his love of people and his drive to share what he had that is, perhaps, one of the key things to celebrate about him. And it was underpinned by his rock-solid faith – nothing overly pious, nothing showy, but a faith and a love of the Lord built on granite. Even his occasional lack of patience (sorry Mark) extended to that faith; ‘why won’t God call me?”. At the risk of being irreverent my response was always “would you want you?”. But God did want him, and he knew it. God had a purpose for his Apostle during his life and he now rests with Him in eternity. His purpose was, simply, to bring the joy of the Lord into the lives of others, in many and varied ways. A few weeks before Mark died, Pope Francis died. When the late Pope was seriously ill the son of friends of mine who entertained Mark and I to lunch regularly, was distraught at overhearing mum and dad say the Pope may die. He couldn’t stop crying. “But darling”, they said, “you don’t know the Pope, why so very sad?”. “We do know him” came the reply, “it’s Mark”. “No, Mark isn’t the Pope”. “Oh, so when the Pope does die will Mark be Pope then?”. Mark loved that one. When Mark himself did die said son would only be pacified by picking flowers from the garden and bringing them to church for him. He wanted to show how much Mark meant to him and wanted to give a little something back. That is the real biography – a man loved, respected, a man who shared what he had, above all his faith, a man who touched so many lives and made them better.  Rest in peace our dear friend.

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:

 Fr Alexander’s Funeral (Requiem Mass & Burial) will take place at Belmont Abbey, Hereford, on Wednesday, 9th February 2022, beginning at 2.00pm. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 8th February 2022, at 5.45pm.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Dom Raphael who died on 7th April 2020, just short of his 89th birthday. John James Aspinwall was born near Preston on 4th December 1931, the son of Joseph and Margaret Aspinwall. His elder brother Gerard was a Salesian priest, so John was sent to school with the Salesians at Shrigley Park, near Macclesfield. He then studied at Trinity College, Dublin, obtaining an M.A. In English Literature, a B. Mus. and a Dip. Ed. He also studied for an A.T.C.L. at Trinity College, London. In addition he took his City and Guilds in Furniture Studies. Highly professional in all that he did, John was a brilliant pianist and composer and a sophisticated furniture maker and designer. He taught English and Music first at Shrigley Park and then at Prior Park, near Bath, a city which he loved and where he made his home. He also taught music at Stonor School. From 1980 onwards he was self-employed in the world of quality furniture and antiques. He came from an old Lancashire Catholic family and was deeply religious, but in a very personal and idiosyncratic way. He was attracted to the Benedictine way of life and tried his vocation at Quarr. Perhaps the life there was too austere, so in 1994, at the age of 63, he came to Belmont and was clothed in the habit on 20th March 1995 and given the name Raphael. He soon found himself at home here and made his Solemn Profession on 15th March 2000. He was Sacristan from 1996 to 2000, Guestmaster from 1999 to 2001, Librarian from 2000 to 2005, Refectorian from 2003 to 2019, Organist from his arrival at Belmont until his death and, for many years, he served the Community as Secretary of Chapter with the most exquisite good humour. As Refectorian he showed particular care of the brethren, making sure they never lacked for anything they might need. He designed the organ screen for the organ extension in the North Transept. He composed several pieces of music for Hereford Cathedral including a poem by Thomas Treherne. Although softly spoken, he had a wicked sense of humour and could see the funny side to most situations. He was a delight to be with, a man of great learning and knowledge and an astute judge of character. He did not study Theology formally, but read a great deal and although he was at heart quietly traditional, he was not afraid to venture out and read the works of rather more unorthodox theologians. He had a good collection of interesting theology books, which are now in the monastery library. He remained active and youthful to the very end of his life and never looked his age. With Raphael you never felt that you were in the company of an old man. Unfortunately, he contracted Covid-19 locally and died in Hereford Hospital on 7th April 2020. Sadly, we were not allowed to visit him and he was not allowed to return to Belmont to die among his brethren, something he dearly longed for. This experience was very painful for his family as well as for the community. Even his burial had to be held in private. A man who did not like fuss, perhaps he would have preferred it that way. May he delight the angels and the saints in heaven. A private graveside burial was held on Tuesday 14th April. Sadly only members of the community could be present, following the social distancing restrictions laid down by the government. We hope to have a Requiem Mass for him in the autumn so that friends, family, and parishioners can come together.

Requiem Mass for Dom Bernard Wassall St John’s Gospel ends with these words, “But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” (Jn 21: 25) These words could easily apply to Br Bernard, whose Requiem Mass we are celebrating this morning. How do you fit Br Bernard into a short homily? Each one of us here present, his monastic community and family, as well as all those participating on our websites and Facebook pages, could write a book with our own story of Br Bernard, the Bernard we knew and loved, but even then the story of his life and achievements would leave much to be written. Our Gospel passage this morning also comes from St John (Jn 12: 23-28). Jesus assures his disciples that there will be a place for them in his Father’s house. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.” Br Bernard was a man of faith and strong convictions, whose heart was never troubled with doubts. He always trusted the word of Jesus. This faith, of course, he learned at home with his beloved parents, Betty and Paul. As a result, he was prepared for that final moment when the Lord would call him: he believed what Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, had promised, “I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too.” Br Bernard was born at Barrow-in-Furness on 20 th August 1956, the only child of Paul and Elizabeth Wassall. He was baptised William Paul and was educated at Our Lady’s Convent Prep School, St Mary’s Junior and St Aloysius Senior School. He was talented in manual crafts and took City and Guilds in carpentry. He first visited Belmont for a vocations’ week at the age of 15. Seven years’ later he returned to try his vocation and was clothed by Abbot Jerome on 24 th October 1978, taking the religious name Bernard in honour of the great Cistercian saint on whose feast day he was born. He made his First Profession on 1 st November 1979 and his Solemn Profession three years’ later. He was only the second monk in Solemn Vows at Belmont, the first being Br Peter, who came to be a choir monk without going on to the priesthood, a return to the true monastic tradition encouraged by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Br Bernard’s life and vocation were focussed on the monastic life, on being a monk, which he was to the core of his being. In the course of his monastic life, he fulfilled a long list of positions and duties, being a highly gifted, knowledgeable and spiritual person. He began by redecorating St Raphael’s Chapel and acting as assistant bursar. He taught Divinity and Woodwork in the school. From 1984 to 1986 he was Housemaster of Kindersley, where he was much loved and admired by the students. He was Sacristan from 1983 until 2001 and Master of Ceremonies from 1996 until 2001. In 1986 he was sent to Llanarth Court to help with its closure as a prep school prior to its sale. He then returned to teach at Belmont until the closure of the school in 1994. It was Bernard who in 1992 helped set up the shop in its present form, a ministry rather than a business venture, that he continued to supervise until 2018. He was full of wonderful ideas on how best to serve the wider community, share the Catholic faith and preach the Gospel in different and exciting ways. He wanted to make the Benedictine life better known to the general public and he was keen to work with all those who were willing to work with him. He was the driving force behind so many of the projects that have taken place at Belmont since the school closed. He was fully involved in the programme of school visits, having a wonderful way with children. He organised volunteers to offer guided tours of the church and worked with the Heritage Lottery Fund to help produce the new guidebook. Bernard was the brain behind the annual pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady, sadly cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. From 2001 until 2015 Br Bernard was the monastic Infirmarian, looking after many of the brethren and preparing them for death. He would sit up all night with the sick and dying, chatting, praying, singing and joking with them. He assisted with our oblates until 1993 and was Oblate Master from 1993 until 2003 and again from 2009 until the day he died. He was much appreciated for his extensive knowledge of monastic history and customs, for his spiritual insights and for sharing with our oblates news of the community and of other monasteries. There was nothing he didn’t know about nuns and their habits. He was an outstanding calligrapher and produced cards and certificates for every occasion. In fact, he could turn his hand to anything from making and repairing rosaries to producing the most outstanding floral displays our church has ever seen. He was, of course, larger than life and, invariably, the centre of attraction because of the charity and wisdom that flowed from his lips and heart. He loved chatting with friends and strangers alike and people always sought his company and companionship. He is irreplaceable. Can you imagine Belmont without Bernard? I can’t. He was the one you turned to for advice and information. It was he who knew the traditions of the house and made sure that the rest of us learned them. If you were sad or disenchanted, then Bernard would rekindle your heart with joy. If you wanted a singsong or a moment of nostalgic reminiscing, then who else would you turn to? He knew the words of every song ever written in the English language and could do an amazing job in Polish as well. He loved his parents and family and he loved his hometown. He was a proud Lancastrian through and through and never accepted the insult of Barrow being attached to Cumbria. At the end of August he went home to help arrange his mum’s care package after she had been in hospital. He was blessed in spending his last week with her, though he never forgot to ring his friends and brethren every day: Br Bernard invented ministry by telephone long before lockdown. Back in April he had been in hospital with quite a serious case of Covid-19 but returned to Belmont on Holy Saturday. He never really got over the after effects. He slowed down notably, had difficulty in breathing and became practically immobile. He was struggling, and, as ever, tried to put on a good face, but we could see he was suffering. Thus it was that he collapsed and died of a heart attack at home on the morning on Saturday, 5 th September. St Paul wrote to the Romans (Rm 6: 9), “We believe that having died with Christ we shall return to life with him: Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again. Death has no power over him any more.” This is our Christian faith. This is what we believe. May our Br Bernard enjoy the company of the saints and angels in the kingdom of our heavenly Father where “death has no more power over him”. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Monk and Oblate Master