August
The monastery and college communities welcomed Belmont Abbey College's Class of '15 at the Matriculation Ceremony in the Abbey Basilica on Saturday, August. 20.
The monastery and college communities celebrated the funeral of the President-emeritus of the college, Dr. Robert A. Preston, in the Abbey Basilica on Wednesday, August 24. Dr. Preston is buried in the Abbey Cemetery.
September
The monastic community had its annual Labor Day outing to the Lake House on September 5.
Brother Elias returned for his second year of studies in the School of Theology at St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN.
Abbot Placid attended the Abbatial Blessing of Abbot Philip at Saint Bede Abbey, Peru, IL, on September 14.
Abbot Placid attended the dinner opening the centennial year for Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, VA, on September 23.
Father Kieran and Abbot Placid attended the Eucharistic Congress for the Diocese of Charlotte at the Charlotte Convention Center on September 23-24.
October
Abbot Placid attended the board retreat for the School of Theology-Seminary at St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN., on October 3.
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 October: October 4, 1893, vote of the Benedictine Sisters in Virginia to assist the monks at the new foundation in Bristow, VA; October 12, 1991, blessing of the new Abbot Walter Student Commons by Father Timothy Kelly, O.S.B.; October 16, 1893, donation of $4,000 by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for the completion of the abbey cathedral; October 18, 1910, canonical erection of Belmont Abbey Nullius; October 20, 1894, death of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah J. O'Connell, who donated the property which became Belmont Abbey.
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
