Meet the Monks -

Pictured Above: Seated (left to right): Br. Patrick, Fr. Augustine, Abbot Melvin, Fr. Maynard

Standing (left to right): Br. Francis, Fr. Francis, Fr. Edwin, Fr. Mark Martin, Fr. Philip, Fr. Luke, Fr. Albert, Fr. Maximilian, Br. Simon Peter, Br. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Asiel Maria, Fr. Francois. (Photo by Mike Scanlan)

Meet the Monks

Right Reverend Augustine J. Curley, O.S.B., Abbot

Name Day: St. Augustine of Hippo - August 28th

Professed Vows: September 15, 1984

Ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ: November 26, 1988

Elected Abbot of Newark Abbey: May 12, 2022

Abbot Augustine J. Curley, O.S.B. was elected the Third Abbot of Newark on May 12, 2022. He was a student at St. Benedict's Prep in 1972 when it "suspended operations." After spending a year at St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, he matriculated at Assumption College, where he double majored in philosophy and politics. He then pursued a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Boston College and entered Newark Abbey in 1984. After seminary studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary on the grounds of Seton Hall University, he was ordained in 1988. He previously served the monastic community as prior, librarian, and archivist, as well as teaching religion in St. Benedict's Prep.

Right Reverend Melvin J. Valvano, O.S.B., Abbot Emeritus

Name Day: Nativity of Mary - September 8th

Professed Vows: September 12, 1959

Ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ: May 29, 1965

Elected Abbot of Newark Abbot: September 8, 1973

Abbot Melvin faithfully served the monastic community as the Abbot of Newark Abbey, from 1973 until 2022. During that time he was also President of St. Benedict's Prep, from which he graduated in 1956. From 1989 to 2001, he served as president of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries, to which Newark Abbey belongs. When he retired as Abbot in 2022, he was the longest-reigning abbot in the history of the Congregation.

Father Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., Prior

Father Patrick Winbush, O.S.B., Subprior

Father Philip Waters, O.S.B., Formation Director

Father Albert Holtz, O.S.B.

Name Day: St. Albert the Great - November 15th

Professed Vows: July 11, 1963

Ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ: March 22, 1969

Fr. Albert has authored several books of spirituality, most notably Downtown Monks: A Benedictine Journey in the City, and Pilgrim Way: A Benedictine Journey Through Lent. He blogs weekly at http://downtownmonks.blogspot.com.

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Meet the Monks

Right Reverend Augustine J. Curley, O.S.B., Abbot

Right Reverend Melvin J. Valvano, O.S.B., Abbot Emeritus

Father Edwin Leahy, O.S.B., Prior

Father Patrick Winbush, O.S.B., Subprior

Father Philip Waters, O.S.B., Formation Director

Father Albert Holtz, O.S.B.

Father Luke Edelen, O.S.B.

Father Francis Flood, O.S.B.

Father Maximilian Buonocore, O.S.B.

Brother Thomas Aquinas Hall, O.S.B.

Brother Francis Woodruff, O.S.B.

Father Mark Martin Dilone, O.S.B.

Brother Robert of Molesmes Islas, O.S.B.

Brother Bruno Mello, O.S.B.