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MEPKIN ABBEY ELECTS NEW ABBOT

Moncks Corner, SC — The monks of Mepkin Abbey elected Fr. Gerard Jonas R. Palmares the sixth leader of the monastery, succeeding Fr. Joseph A. Tedesco, who has led the community for the past 7 years.

Fr. Gerard Jonas entered Mepkin Abbey in 2010 and made his solemn profession on Dec. 3, 2016. He has served the Mepkin community as sacristan, production manager for microgreens and shiitake mushrooms, liturgist, organist, assistant novice master and prior.

Born in Lipa City, Philippines, Fr. Gerard Jonas served 19 years as a priest in the Archdiocese of Lipa, Philippines, the last 11 years of which as Archdiocesan Chancellor, before answering God’s call to the monastic life at Mepkin Abbey.

Fr. Gerard Jonas R. Palmares
Fr. Gerard Jonas R. Palmares

“Since I was a seminarian, I have prayed, ‘Lord, grant that all my encounters with others be for me and for them encounters with You,’ said Fr. Jonas.  “Seeking God brought me to Mepkin Abbey in 2010. Nothing changes. I continue to seek God in my encounters with others. And, if as abbot, I can accompany my brothers in the same seeking, I humbly and in all docility accept the leadership role as one among the seekers. ‘That in all things, God may be glorified’.” – 1Peter4:11 / RB 57

Mepkin Abbey is a Trappist monastery located on the Cooper River outside of Moncks Corner, SC, and is part of the Roman Catholic Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, commonly known as Trappists. Currently, 13 men are members of the monastery. They follow the Rule of St. Benedict, spending their days in prayer, work, solitude, spiritual readings, and welcoming visitors all year long. Some visitors come just for the day; others come for retreats lasting several days to a week; and some men come for several months as part of the Monastic Guest Program.

Founded in 1949, the monastery has had five leaders. Fr. Anthony Chassagne served as the founding superior from 1949 to 1954 and as abbot from 1954 to 1974; Fr. Christian Carr was superior from 1974 to 1977 and was abbot from 1977 to 1990; Fr. Francis Kline was abbot from 1990 to 2006;  Fr. Stan Gumula served as abbot from 2006 to 2018; and Fr. Joseph Tedesco served as superior from 2018 to 2026.