May
The monastic communtiy had its regular canonical visitation May 4-7. Visitators were Abbot Hugh Anderson, O.S.B., former abbot of Saint Procopius Abbey, and Father Roman Paur, O.S.B., a monk of Saint John's Abbey, and Prior of Holy Trinity Priory, Fujimi, Japan.
The monastic community welcomed the graduates of Belmont Abbey College's class of '10 for Vespers and a reception.
Belmont Abbey College held its Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation on Saturday, May 15. Father Paschal Morlino, O.S.B., of Saint Vincent Archabbey, was the baccalaureate homilist.
The annual community retreat was held May 17-21. The retreat director was Father Simon McGurk, O.S.B., of Belmont Abbey, England. Father Simon is currently the Administrator of Saint Anselm Abbey, Washington, D. C.
April
Eight students from our college, and several other guests, made a retreat in the monastery for the Easter Triduum, April 1-4. At the Easter Vigil, five students who had completed the RCIA Program with the college's Office of Campus Ministry received the Sacraements of Initiation: two were baptized, one entered into full communion with the Catholic Church, and two were confirmed.
On Easter Monday, the community made its annual Easter trip together to the monastery's lake house for recreation, Vespers and the evening meal.
The Prior, Father David Brown, hosted the Financial Counselors of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries the weekend of April 9-11 for a working visit.
Abbot Placid attended the blessing of the new abbot of Our Lady of the Annuciation Abbey at Clear Creek, Oklahoma, the weekend of April 9-11. He was hosted for the weekend by Abbot Lawrence and the monks of Saint Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Father Kieran and Father David Kessinger represented the monastic community at the dedication of the new church at Saint Pius X Parish in Greensboro, North Carolina, on April 17.
The monastic communtiy welcomed oblates and members of the college community for Vespers and a reception on Wednesday evening, April 21, to celebrate the 134th anniversary of the abbey's founding.
The donated hand-carved statue of Saint Joseph was blessed at the Saint Joseph Adoration Chapel.
March
Fr. Kieran assisted with the parish mission and penance service at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte
Fr. Christopher and Fr. Kieran continue to assist as chaplains to the Sisters of Mercy as Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont.
The monastic community celebrated St. Benedict's Day on Monday, March 22. Guests for Mass and the luncheon included Bishop Peter Jugis, Bishop-emeritus William Curlin, priests of the diocese, the Sisters of Mercy, members of the college community, oblates and friends.
Abbot Placid, Fr. Kieran and Fr. David Kessinger celebrated the Chrism Mass with Bishop Jugis and the priests of the diocese at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Charlotte on March 30.
Our archives house the documentary history of our monastery, college, diocesan jurisdiction, and the Belmont Abbey National Historic District. At present, the archives are closed pending staffing revisions.
The Saint Joseph Chapel on the college campus is dedicated to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The award-winning chapel is located in the area of the college's residence halls. The original chapel was inaugurated by Bishop William G. Curlin of Charlotte in 1997 as a cooperative venture between Belmont Abbey and the local parishes.
Except during the summer, the Abbey's Oblates ordinarily meet here on the third Sunday of each month. Following their meeting, the Oblates join the monastic community for Vespers. Mr. George Cobb, one of the Oblates, is the coordinator of the Oblate Program. Members of the laity who want to learn more about Benedictine spirituality and to affiliate with the Benedictine mission should contact George Cobb through the abbey for details on the Oblates.
The Diocese of Richmond is conducting preliminary investigations concerning the sanctity of Francis J. Parater [ [LINK] ]. Parater was a student at our college from 1917 to 1919, then studied in Rome. He died there of rheumatic fever at age 22 in 1920. Frank Parater was known to be a man of exceptional spiritual character and exemplary virtue.
Each night, at the evening meal, any significant anniversaries from the abbey's history are noted. These are some of the commemorations that will be included during May: May 4, 1892 laying of the coernerstone of the abbey church by Bishop Leo Haid, O.S.B.; May 7, 1891 blessing of the Lourdes Grotto; May 18, 1927 donation of the priory in Bristow, VA, to the Benedictine Sisters; May 19, 1900 destruction of the main college building by fire.
Tours of the basilica and other monastic sites on campus are available on request. Contact Brother Edward, the Guestmaster, to make arrangements. Tours of the college can be arranged through the Admissions Office.
Students at the college as well as outside guests are welcome at all of the monks’ liturgies. During the school year, daily Mass is held in the late afternoon to accommodate their schedule.
Information on Benedictine monastic life at Belmont Abbey is available on request. The monks pray daily that each person will discover and follow God’s will, wherever it leads. If you are interested in learning more about the monastic vocation as lived at Belmont Abbey, please contact us online or
Abbot Placid Solari, O.S.B.
Belmont Abbey
100 Belmont-Mount Holly Road
Belmont, North Carolina
28012-1802 U.S.A.
(704) 461-6675
