Belmont Abbey, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Mary Help of Christians Abbey, better known as Belmont Abbey, is a small community of Benedictine
monks in the town of Belmont, North Carolina
, outside of Charlotte, North Carolina
, in the United States
. Founded by Bishop Leo Haid
in 1876, it is the daughter abbey to St. Vincent's Abbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
, and mother abbey to St. Leo's Abbey in Tampa, Florida
. The monks also are the benefactors of Belmont Abbey College
, a four year Catholic
liberal arts school.
From 1910 through 1977, Belmont Abbey was a territorial abbey, exercising some functions of a diocese. It had authority over parishes in the North Carolina counties of Gaston, Catawba, Cleveland, Burke, Lincoln, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford. In 1944, its territory, except for Gaston County, was given to the Diocese of Raleigh. In July 1960, Gaston County too was placed under the Diocese of Raleigh. In 1977, its status as a territorial abbey was suppressed under the Diocese of Charlotte.
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monks in the town of Belmont, North Carolina
Belmont, North Carolina
Belmont is a small suburban city in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States, located about west of uptown Charlotte, North Carolina and east of Gastonia. The population was 8,705 at the 2000 census. Once known as Garibaldi, the city named in honor of August Belmont, a prominent New York banker...
, outside of Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded by Bishop Leo Haid
Leo Michael Haid
Leo Michael Haid, O.S.B. was an Benedictine abbot and Catholic bishop serving as Abbot of the Abbey of Mary Help of Christians, in Belmont, North Carolina from 1885-1924 and as Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina from 1888-1910 and Territorial Abbot from 1910-1924.-Biography:Haid was born July 15,...
in 1876, it is the daughter abbey to St. Vincent's Abbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Latrobe is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in the United States, approximately southeast of Pittsburgh.The city population was 7,634 as of the 2000 census . It is located near the Pennsylvania's scenic Chestnut Ridge. Latrobe was incorporated as a borough in 1854, and as a city in 1999...
, and mother abbey to St. Leo's Abbey in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
. The monks also are the benefactors of Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont Abbey College is a private liberal-arts Catholic college located in Belmont, North Carolina, USA west of Uptown Charlotte. It was founded in 1876 by the Benedictine monks of Belmont Abbey...
, a four year Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
liberal arts school.
From 1910 through 1977, Belmont Abbey was a territorial abbey, exercising some functions of a diocese. It had authority over parishes in the North Carolina counties of Gaston, Catawba, Cleveland, Burke, Lincoln, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford. In 1944, its territory, except for Gaston County, was given to the Diocese of Raleigh. In July 1960, Gaston County too was placed under the Diocese of Raleigh. In 1977, its status as a territorial abbey was suppressed under the Diocese of Charlotte.
Dates of Interest
- April 21, 1876 The first Benedictine monk to serve at Belmont arrived, accompanied by the first two students for the new college.
- July 10, 1886 For the first time an alumnus of the college was received as a novice in the monastery.
- July 11, 1886 The first three novices professed vows for the new abbey in North Carolina.
- May 7, 1891 The monastery's Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was blessed by Abbot-Bishop Leo Haid, O.S.B.Leo Michael HaidLeo Michael Haid, O.S.B. was an Benedictine abbot and Catholic bishop serving as Abbot of the Abbey of Mary Help of Christians, in Belmont, North Carolina from 1885-1924 and as Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina from 1888-1910 and Territorial Abbot from 1910-1924.-Biography:Haid was born July 15,...
It was designated as a pilgrimage shrine. - June 8, 1910 The 'diocesan' jurisdiction of Belmont Abbey was erected by decree of the Holy Father in Rome.
- July 27, 1998 The Vatican issued a decree elevating the abbey church at Belmont to the rank of a minor basilicaMinor basilicaMinor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
. - July 14, 1993 The central campus was entered on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Belmont Abbey National Historic District."
- June 20, 2011 Belmont Abbey College breaks ground on a center of residences for female students with children or expecting children- open to both Christians and non-Christians- that can hold 15 babies, 15 women (who can stay for up to two years), and 8 toddlers at a time (with a shared living room, dining room, and laundry room) called "Room at the Inn" near the campus of the Abbey and University, operated by a Charlotte, North Carolina-based maternity and aftercare center of the same name.