Cardinal Tobin blesses third abbot of Newark Abbey — Abbot Augustine James Curley (PHOTOS/VIDEO)
Abbot Augustine James Curley, O.S.B, received the abbatial blessing by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CssR, on Thursday, Sept. 15, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Father Curley was elected the third Benedictine abbot of Newark Abbey by his brothers on May 12, under the supervision of Abbot President John Klassen, O.S.B.
The Mass was attended by friends, family, and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, to which the abbey, the abbot, and the monks are closely dedicated. The students, who walked nearly two miles to the basilica from the school, affectionately call Abbot Curley “Father Goose” — a much easier to say and less formal version of Augustine.
He replaces Abbot Melvin J. Valvano, who resigned after serving as abbot for 49 years.
During a special Mass, Cardinal Tobin prayed that Abbot Augustine be conformed to Christ and serve as father, teacher, and shepherd of all souls entrusted to his care.
The word abbot is derived from the Greek word “abbas,” which means “father.” An abbot is the superior of a monastery or the father of the fathers.
Cardinal Tobin said it was a time to give “thanks for the gift of the vocations that is yours in the life of the church.
“The monastic community is not an island or an isolated refuge from the church or society in which it is embedded,” the Cardinal Tobin said. “It is a living reminder for the search to see better the face of Christ.”
St. Mary’s Church has served as the spiritual home of Benedictine monks for 164 years. Since 1868, the monks have also operated St. Benedict’s Prep. Newark Abby, however, was formed following the independence of Saint Mary’s Priory in Newark in November 1968 after a time of uncertainty for the school and the monastery, and unrest in Newark. In 1968, the monks voted for an independent status of the Newark house. Abbot Ambrose J. Clark, O.S.B., was elected as the first abbot of Newark Abbey one month later. The school closed for a year in 1972 when Abbot Curley was a sophomore, as the Monks sought to realign its mission.
St. Benedict’s Prep is now up to 1,000 students and began admitting young women in 2020 in a separate girls’ division. The school’s Benedictine teaching is simple but profound: “Whatever hurts my brother hurts me,” and “Whatever hurts my sister hurts me.”
Abbots Ambrose and Valvano also attended St. Benedict’s Prep.
After a year at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, Abbot Curley then matriculated at Assumption College, where he double majored in philosophy and politics, with a minor in studio art. He then pursued a Ph.D. in philosophy at Boston College.
Having close ties with the monastery while away, Abbot Curley returned in 1982 and began his postulancy. He pronounced his simple vows in 1984, committing to the monastic life for three years. He then made his solemn vows in 1987.
After seminary studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University, he was ordained on Nov. 26, 1988.
His dissertation at Boston College was a study of St. Augustine’s early work and it was later published as “Augustine’s Critique of skepticism, A study of Contra Academicos.”
Benedictine monks believe the work of a monk is both prayer and labor. Abbot Curley has served the monastery community as prior, abbey librarian, and archivist. He has also served St. Benedict’s Prep students in various positions.
In an interview with St. Benedict’s online newspaper soon after the election, Abbott Curley said: “Abbot means father, so it’s really being the father of the entire community. It’s not that we happen to be in Newark. God planted us in Newark. We need to connect and be a part of the city.”
In his work as abbot, he said that he is ready to listen and be open to different viewpoints.
As the spiritual guide for St. Mary’s Church and St. Benedict’s Prep, he feels the monastery’s relationship extends to the whole community and the city of Newark.
“I want to be available to the city on a governmental level and just also to the people of the city. I’m open to whatever comes up,” he said.
Cardinal Tobin said that the abbey could continue to enrich the Archdiocese.
“In this era when people are so busy that they do not have enough time to stop and listen to God’s voice, your abbey with its church and school provides an oasis where men and women of every age, origin, culture, and religion can discover the beauty of silence…. And to come to appreciate their true humanity in harmony with creation, allowing God to reestablish just order in their lives,” said Cardinal Tobin. “The Benedictine charisma of welcoming is extremely valuable for the new evangelism because it offers you a way to welcome Christ in every person who arrives.”
Calling it essential work, Cardinal Tobin also encouraged the Benedictines to continue their commitment to oecumenism or dialogue among other religions saying that the Archdiocese needs to deepen its communion with other Christian churches.
Abbot Curley serves on the New Jersey Catholic Historical Association and the Newark History Society and is writing a book on the history of St. Mary’s Parish. He also was the historian for Newark’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2022.
Abbot Curley’s coat of arms, designed by Father Guy Selvester, MDiv, MA, includes symbols relative to abbots and Benedictine monks, such as a single red heart that represents part of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict “Listen…inclining the ear of one’s heart.” Other details of the coat of arms are personal and reflect Abbott Curley’s Irish heritage and his patron saint Augustine.
Featured Image: Abbot Curley gets a hug from a well-wisher at his blessing at the Cathedral.
