Message from Abbot Paul - Feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe, 11th July

Abbot Paul Stonham • July 10, 2020


Message from Fr Paul for Saturday, 11th July 2020


           Today we celebrate the feast of St Benedict, who died at his monastery of Monte Cassino on 21st March 547. He was born at Nursia (modern day Norcia) in Umbria, Italy, around 480. As you all know, before the age of 20 he abandoned his studies at Rome and fled to Vicovaro, in the Apennine Mountains near Subiaco, to become a hermit and dedicate himself to a life of total simplicity and prayer. We can read all about it in the Life written by St Gregory the Great, a beautiful document, which, like the Gospels in relation to Jesus, presents us with a profound theological reflection on the monastic life as well as details of the life of our saint. I had the immense privilege of visiting Norcia, Subiaco and Monte Cassino frequently as a small boy, taken there by my Uncle Paul, and grew to love St Benedict at an early age, as I did St Francis too. How best to describe the Rule of St Benedict today? It’s a small book that sets out a way of life, which is at the same time both spiritual and practical, based entirely on Scripture and with Christ at its heart. Although written for communities of monks, it’s easily adapted to family life or even to running a business. It’s a great companion to have on the journey of faith and helps us focus on what is truly necessary.


           Today’s short Gospel passage comes from St Matthew (Mt 19: 27-29). Peter, in the name of the Twelve, asks Jesus, “What about us? We have left everything and followed you. What are we to have, then?” Not very noble sentiments, to be sure! Jesus tries to elevate the conversation to a higher plane, reminding them that they are at the service of God and that the ultimate reward is the gift of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven: anything else would be of no value. Not only that, but “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or land for the sake of my name will be repaid a hundred times over, and also inherit eternal life.” Becoming a Christian, let alone a monk, means giving up a good many things, the values of this world, for example. The Christian life really involves a “leaving behind” of our selfishness and self-centredness, in that our lives become centred on Christ, in whom alone is salvation. We exchange the old for the new and, through the working of the Holy Spirit, we acquire the mind of Christ, in that way conforming our will to the will of God. Let us ask St Benedict, through his teaching and prayers, to help us walk in the paths of the Gospel, so that in all things God may be glorified. 


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
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