News from Belmont
Fr Alexander Kenyon • July 30, 2023
Fr Alexander writes:
If you’ve been wondering what has been happening at Belmont over the recent past, wonder no longer. As life has, more or less, returned to normal after the Covid pandemic, it seems timely to try to get back to a more regular briefing from the cloisters. The Belmont community has always been, rightly, proud of the close contact we have with so many of our friends and supporters and, if communications have sometimes been less than ideal, it’s a chance now to re-establish some of that contact and think about how, together, we build up our wider community in the future.
So, what’s been happening, what is about to happen? In a word, “lots”. And, in no particular order (ordering or brigading will be sadly lacking from this particular opus) I’m happy to share with you this short digest of news for your information, edification and general delight - hope springs eternal!
Headline news
The “big” and, in so many ways, most significant news is that Abbot Paul, after almost twenty four years steering the Belmont ship as abbot, will be stepping down from the role next Spring. As a “warm up”he is stepping down as Parish Priest of Belmont at the end of August and Fr. Augustine will be taking over that particular rudder - we wish him well and I’m sure he will have lots of support.
Fr. Paul has, as mentioned, been abbot for almost a quarter of a century; I hope that doesn’t make him feel old. His kindness, wisdom and prayerfulness have been sources of inspiration both to the community and many others, far and wide. I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunities to pay tribute to him etc over the coming months; for now we simply wish him well and offer him our prayers. Do please pray for the community as well as we begin a period of discernment before a new abbot is elected next year
Community News
Our noviciate is three strong now: our novices, Brothers Meinrad and Gildas have been joined by a postulant, Brother Robert. All make a great contribution to the liturgical, spiritual and domestic life of the community. Please continue to pray for them as they begin their monastic journeys.
In September Fr. Alex, prior of our monastery in Peru, will be at Belmont delivering a couple of icon retreats. Please keep him and our brethren in Peru in your prayers.
The Covid pandemic had such a negative impact on so many aspects of life. One particular way that our lives were impoverished was demonstrated by our inability to say a proper “goodbye” to those who died during this period. In the case of Belmont our dear, beloved Brothers Bernard and Raphael returned to God without many of us being able to be present at their requiems and burials. In order to allow people to come together to pray for them and celebrate their lives we will be having a memorial Mass for them both on Saturday, August 19th at 11am. Do please come along if you can. The are both missed greatly.
On a happier note our dear Fr. Richard, currently toiling away on our parish in Whitehaven, celebrates his silver jubilee of ordination on September 29th. He will be here at Belmont to celebrate the 4pm Mass on Saturday, 30th September and all are welcome. If you would like to join him for a cup of tea and a sandwich after the Mass please let me know so that suitable and ample comestibles will be available - you can email me, Fr Alexander
at djaskenyon@gmail.com. We congratulate Fr. Richard on this great milestone and offer him our love and prayers for many more years of fruitful ministry.
Belmont has been asked to renew its pastoral work in the parishes of Leominster and Bromyard and we will be starting this apostolic work in September.
Please continue to keep the Belmont community in your prayers. We especially appreciate prayers for our brethren in Peru who face many challenges, not least the unstable political situation and spiralling costs.
Dom Alexander
July 2023
Longworth Chapel Mass
Did you know that there are two mediaeval Catholic Churches in or near Hereford?
The Longworth Chapel at Bartestree is dedicated to Saint James. It is a small but beautiful gothic building, unique in being a mediaeval chapel used for Catholic worship over a period of some six hundred years. It was originally the chapel of Old Longworth manor house built c.1390. Then it (yes, the church!) was moved to Bartestree in 1869. Sadly, the church was closed in 1995 but is currently in the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.
Once a year some of the community join local Catholics to celebrate Mass - usually, as this year, on the feast of St James. We prayed in particular for Robert Phillipps who restored the Chapel for Catholic worship and built the neighbouring Bartestree Convent. We also prayed for the sisters who served there for 130 years as well as the those cared for at St Michael’s Hospice, built in the convent grounds. Fr Brendan presided at the Mass along with Fr James. Abbot Paul, Fr Augustine & Br Meinrad led the singing and Br Gildas served.
On 15th August there will be Mass in the Rotherwas Chapel in Hereford, another mediaeval church used by Catholics.
View more
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
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
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
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
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.