|
|
|
|
|
|
Passing of Abbot Benedict McDermott, OSB
Sad to relay the news of the passing late last week of Benedictine's Abbot Benedict McDermott who was a longtime member of the Dooley Division. Please keep the Reverand, his family and the entire Benedictine community in your prayers.
|
from Benedictine President Jesse Grapes,
|
Abbot died peacefully early Friday morning at Little Sisters of the Poor St. Joseph’s Home in Richmond where he has been a resident for the last several years.We are grateful for his lifelong commitment to service and to God, and I ask that you please join me in keeping Abbot Benedict's family and the Monastic Community close in prayer.Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
|
Right Rev. Benedict (Raymond) McDermott, O.S.B.
October 11, 1933 - March 19, 2021
The Right Rev. Benedict McDermott, O.S.B., a monk of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Virginia, a former Abbot of that monastery and former Principal of Benedictine College Preparatory passed peacefully to God during the early morning of March 19, at the age of 87. Abbot Benedict displayed unshakeable faith and dedicated himself to the betterment of his fellow man. He was a Benedictine monk and priest for nearly six decades and served as Abbot for 13 years.Raised in Belford, N.J., then a fishing village in Monmouth County, young Raymond could look across Sandy Hook Bay to see the boroughs of Staten Island, Manhattan and Brooklyn.He attended St. Ann’s Grammar School, Keansburg, NJ, and Red Bank Catholic High School. Inspired to become a priest, he applied to enter the seminary for the Diocese of Trenton. However, there was no space available at the time, so Ray's parish priest at St. Mary’s (New Monmouth) helped direct him toward Belmont Abbey, where he was accepted into the high school. Soon, he was on his way to his new home in North Carolina. As soon as he was able, Ray joined the monks of Belmont Abbey and was given the name of Benedict. He made his first profession on July 2, 1955. "It was," he said, "the greatest day of my life. "Father McDermott was ordained on June 11, 1961. The following year, he was assigned to St. Benedict's Priory and to the faculty of Benedictine High School in Richmond. A learned man, he initially taught French, government, theology and geography to the Cadets. Eventually, he was able to narrow his focus to French, which he taught in lively fashion. Concurrently, he assumed parish duties at St. Benedict's Parish (serving as Pastor in the early 1970s). His final year in the classroom was 1971. Father McDermott also served as Parochial Vicar at St. Michael’s Parish, in Gastonia, NC. Benedict was elected as the first Abbot of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, when it opened in 1989. He served in that role with distinction, overseeing the purchase of 50 acres in Goochland County and the move of the monastery to that site. He was re-elected Abbot by his fellow monks in 1999; however, health-related issues forced Abbot Benedict to resign his position in 2002. "I preached the homily at Abbot Benedict's blessing on Sept. 8, 1989," said Abbot Timothy Kelly, Abbot President of the American-Cassinese Congregation of the Order of Saint Benedict at the time. "And only with sadness accepted his resignation."In his later years, Abbot Benedict served as the unofficial greeter to visitors of Benedictine College Preparatory. Seated in a leather chair in the main foyer, he was quick to say hello, along with a pun or a one-liner.Above all else, Abbot Benedict wished to serve God. He was a kindly, faith-filled man who dedicated his life to the service of his fellow man. He will be greatly missed by his confreres, family, friends and former students.Christened Raymond Paul McDermott, he was born to Alvina and John McDermott on October 11, 1933. He was the ninth of 13 children in the McDermott family. He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters—Alvina Johnston, Rita Gallagher, Ruth, Bernice—and brothers John, Francis, Robert. Surviving him are his sisters: Lois Persson (Alexandria, VA), Sister Kathryn McDermott, SC (Riverdale, NY), Sister Ann McDermott, OSF (Lewiston, NY) and brothers Joseph McDermott (Reedville, VA), Donald McDermott (Little Silver, NJ) and thirty-one nieces and nephews.A special thanks to the Little Sisters of the Poor at St. Joseph’s Home for their dedication and spirit-filled care of Benedict over these last years.
|
Reception of the body followed by Vespers will be held Friday, March 26 at 6 p.m. Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27.
|
In Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity,
|
|
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
