The monks of Belmont have diverse backgrounds. Our current confreres came from various locales, including both Carolinas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Georgia, and Cuba. They attended schools in both Carolinas, Rome, Oxford, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Indiana, New York, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia. Their fields of study included theology, religious studies, philosophy, history, chemistry, sociology, psychology, English, politics, French, music, law, counseling, and the information sciences. This is an introduction to the men who have given their lives to the Lord as Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey.
Father Agostino Fernandez was born in Cuba, but
spent much of his youth in Philadelphia. At the Catholic University
of America (DC), he earned a Bachelor’s degree in piano
performance and a Master’s in psychology. He settled in
the Washington area then, working with secondary school students
until his embrace of the monastic life. Father Agostino won a
second Master’s degree subsequently, this one in Monastic
Studies, taken at Saint John’s University (MN). As subprior
(the third ranking monk of the monastery), he helps ensure the
smooth operations of the cloister. Father Agostino is master-of-ceremonies
at our liturgies, too. He also remains current in his music,
both for personal enrichment and as an occasional recitalist.
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Brother Anthony Swofford As an agent specializing in the provision of
gourmet foods, he lived and worked in South Carolina before coming
to the abbey in 2003. This year he is engaged in comleting his Bachelor's Degree in the college, as well as working at various household duties. He
also is the 'socius' (overseeing work assignments of the other
young monks) and the Procurator.
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Father Arthur Pendleton holds a doctorate in
chemistry from Clemson University (SC). In our college, he taught
chemistry for many years, and now ranks as a professor-emeritus.
A native of Rhode Island, Father Arthur has found life in the
South congenial and productive. Although his work in the monastery
has entailed repeated administrative assignments, his special
training in spiritual direction has allowed him to exercise a
very particular ministry to monks, students, and area laity.
Outdoor work is also among his interests, and Father Arthur’s
initiative and application keep the monastery’s grounds
beautiful and healthy. Spiritual reading is a special pleasure
for him, with classical texts as well as contemporary writings
earning his attention. Father Arthur is the sort of person who
can always bring an original insight or penetrating question
to any topic that arises. Since his retirement from teaching,
Father Arthur has been assisting the campus security staff, especially
in regard to automobile parking.
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Father Christopher Kirchgessner was born in Kentucky.
As an undergraduate, he studied psychology at a college in Indiana.
Later, he took a Master's degree in Church history, but now his
duties ask him to teach theology. His assignments here have been
varied. Father Christopher has served as prior of the monastery,
a vice-president of the college, and has undertaken an active
pastoral ministry; he formerly had responsibility for overseeing
the formation and recruitment of the younger monks. Other work
in our college has included leading the freshmen's seminar and
teaching classes in Great Books. Over the years, he has developed
a special interest in politics, and is known on campus as a commentator
on public issues. Also a popular preacher, Father Christopher
is in demand as a homilist and presider at the weddings of alumni.
The generosity of his schedule expresses his charity and professional
concern. Father Christopher is recognized especially for counseling
students, seeking to remain current in his studies, and sharing
his knowledge in the diocese (e.g., in the education of permanent
deacons). He acts as a recording secretary for bodies chaired
by the abbot.
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Father David Brown is a North Carolinian by birth.
He took his undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University,
and taught French before entering the monastery. After his seminary
course was completed in Rome, he remained there for advanced
studies in Sacred Scripture, and returned there for a special
educational opportunity in 2004. In the cloister, Father David
is prior, our second-ranking monk. In the college, he is registrar
and a professor. He is also in demand as a specialist in communications
and technology, service that benefits both the monastery and
college. To our great pleasure, Father David’s favorite
recreation is cooking, an art he shares generously with us all,
including gleanings from his herb garden. He is a violinist,
too, acts as our principal cantor, and coordinates all the texts
and music for abbey liturgies. Presently, Father David is executing
new psalters for use in the Abbey Basilica. He is senior among
the monks who act as chaplains for the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont.
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Father David Kessinger , a Virginia native, first
came to Belmont as a student, then returned here to serve as
a monk and priest. His graduate degree was taken at the library
school of the Catholic University of America (DC), and he has
a certificate in archivism from the National Archives in Washington.
Father David is one of the chaplains for the Sisters of Mercy
locally and is active in the pastoral work of the campus, especially
the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. In the monastery, he applies
his energies in various duties, including regular assistance
with transportation and purchasing needs. He is especially generous
in lending time and presence to the infirm monks. Father David
serves the abbey and her friends as a spiritual guide, too. Because
of his expertise in sound recording, Father David has been able
to provide the community with valuable records of speeches and
concerts on campus. He is known and appreciated for his eloquent
spirituality and Eucharistic devotion.
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Brother Edward Mancuso A graphic designer with a specialty
in Apple computers, he lived and worked in New Jersey before
coming to the abbey in 2003. Special assignments
include the design of printing and film projects on behalf of
the cloister and campus. He is the monastery's
Guestmaster, who helps with visitors and tours. Brother Edward
holds a Degree in Sociology from Saint Bonaventure University
(NY). He assists in the religious articles' store on campus.
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Brother Emmanuel Slobodzian is a certified nursing
assistant, and works daily in the monastic infirmary and monastery
kitchen. In the college, Brother Emmanuel assists in the athletic
department. He is held in great affection by the students; they
appreciate his unfailing concern for them, for their interests,
and for their enterprises. Brother Emmanuel is a native of New
York, and came to the abbey after a varied career in public service
positions. An avid reader, he is also a man of deep reflection
and compassion. The generosity of his spirit allows Brother Emmanuel
to always make time for others, and to take interest in whatever
concerns or appeals to them.
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Father Francis Forster is from Ohio. He first
came to Belmont as a student in our college, then entered the
monastery, professed vows, and was ordained priest. Father Francis
was the abbey’s pioneer with computers, and still works
in the college overseeing electronic support systems, using his broad expertise in countless enterprises. In the monastery,
he also gives tireless service in addressing electrical needs
and repairs, and oversees the well-being of our buildings and
grounds. A creative and dedicated liturgist, Father Francis is
known for his careful preparation for assignments and meetings,
and for his devotion to all the common exercises of monastic
community life. His hobbies include a special interest in railroads
(both miniature and professional), and he exercises a particular
concern for issues of social justice.
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Father John Oetgen , a native of Savannah (GA),
is professor-emeritus in the Department of English at Belmont
Abbey College. His specialties are Shakespeare and Southern literature.
As an undergraduate, Father John studied at Belmont and at the
Benedictines’ college in Kansas; his graduate work was
taken in Rome, at Oxford, and in this country. Also among his
earned degrees is a licentiate in canon law. In recognition of
his merit and expertise he was awarded a doctorate (honoris causa)
in 2006. Father John has been president and dean of Belmont Abbey
College, and he is a fellow of the American Benedictine Academy.
Known for his insight and informed discernments in both practical
and learned questions, Father John is a valued resource in the
varied facets of monastic life at Belmont. He has given himself
generously in cultivating students’ talents in theatre
and speech. The beauty and fruits of his gardens enrich both
our lives and our setting here at Belmont.
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Father Kenneth Geyer is our most experienced
man of the arts. His graduate degree was earned in musicology
at the Catholic University of America (DC), and he has taught
generations of students the history of music and of art. Father
Kenneth has been a frequent recitalist (on piano and organ),
and for decades he coordinated all fine arts programs on campus.
In recent years, Father Kenneth focused his time and talents
on the library. The abbey’s in-house book collection is
the happy product of his guidance and oversight. Father Kenneth
has also taught French, been prior of the monastery, and master-of-novices.
For over forty years he held the title of Cathedral Organist
here. In the monastic community and beyond, Father Kenneth is
appreciated for his original works of art—both his paintings
and his music—and his knowledge of current literature.
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Father Kieran Neilson came to the abbey from
Charlotte (NC), and has shown repeatedly that there is little
he cannot do. Father Kieran was the novicemaster under whom the
current abbot studied; he has assisted with college admissions,
been subprior of the monastery, taught religion, assisted broadly
in various priestly duties, and been among the abbey’s
most sought-after counselors and advisors. Father Kieran has
a vital spirituality, and a deep love of the Blessed Mother and
the saints. At present he is the chaplain to the students in
the college, and regularly hears confessions in the Abbey Basilica.
Father Kieran also keeps us alert to the standings of various
athletics teams, and promotes special interest in the fortunes
of Notre Dame football.
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Father Matthew McSorley came to Belmont from Virginia, enrolling as a student in the college, then remaining as a Benedictine. He is now our senior monk in age, having spent his life in the monastic exercises, in teaching and in ministry. Father Matthew holds a Master’s degree in literature from New York University, and has guided generations of students in creative writing as well as scholarly studies. Although he now resides in our infirmary, contact with the many people he has influenced through the years remains a constant in his life. He is also our best chess player, and routinely challenges the monastery’s guests to test his expertise. Always an enthusiastic reader, Father Matthew still follows the trends and developments of contemporary literature and criticism, and readily speaks with guests and confrères who might learn from his experience and insight.
Abbot Oscar Burnett is the retired head of the abbey; he retains the title “abbot” in recognition of his eminence in the monastic community. Before joining the Benedictines, Abbot Oscar was an attorney in Savannah (GA). Since his monastic profession and priestly ordination, he has filled virtually every office of importance in the monastery (e.g., abbot, prior, subprior, novicemaster, procurator) and college (e.g., teacher, dean, chaplain, chief administrator). Abbot Oscar has also served as our head of inter-faith relations, leading the Ecumenical Institute then sponsored jointly by Belmont Abbey College and Wake Forest University. He is currently writing his memoirs, creating a record that will inform his family and their posterity, as well as his brother monks.
Brother Paul Shanley came here from upstate New
York. His graduate degree is in English, but he also has an advanced
certificate in film history and criticism. Brother Paul’s
work coaching our college’s cross-country teams has won
him considerable acclaim and repeated recognition as the conference’s
coach-of-the-year. In addition to teaching, athletics, and his
monastic duties, Brother Paul has been the college’s director
of sports information and a vital resource in students’ activities
and special interests. He is recognized in the monastery and
community as an astute judge of character and a discerning counselor.
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Abbot Placid Solari is the head of the monastic
community at Belmont. A native of Virginia and a graduate of
Bellarmine College (KY), he acts as spiritual father of the monks,
and manages our resources and temporalities. Abbot Placid holds
a doctorate in patristics (the study of the theologians
of the early Church), and has translated major works of scholarship
in his field. As abbot, he also acts as chancellor of Belmont
Abbey College, and sometimes still teaches there. In the monastery,
Abbot Placid instructs the youngest monks in the Rule of Saint
Benedict and serves as Director of Formation and Vocations, reviewing
and guiding potential candidates for monastic at Belmont.
When his schedule allows, he enjoys hiking and classical music.
Abbot Placid also has served the Benedictines in this country
as a visitator, retreatmaster, and a member of special commissions.
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Father Raymond Geyer , a native of upstate New
York, first came to Belmont Abbey as a student in the college.
He holds two master’s degrees and has worked in all aspects
of the abbey and her apostolates. Although the senior Benedictine
of Belmont according to years professed, Father Raymond is too
active to embrace retirement. He oversees the monastery’s
vehicles and directs our Oblate program (for laity who adopt
the tenets of Benedictine spirituality). His gardening enhances
the beauty of the grounds, and his attention to detail promotes
the good order of the cloister. A man of deep piety and broad
interests, he is known for the insightful selection of sources
that informs his homilies and spiritual conversation. Father
Raymond is an older brother of Father Kenneth Geyer, also a Belmont
monk.
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