Father 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, Father Gerard Jonas served for 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.

“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,’” the new abbot said. “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’” (1 Pet 4:11).

Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS will confer the abbatial blessing on Father Gerard Jonas during a eucharistic celebration at Mepkin in March.

Mepkin Abbey is a monastery located on the Cooper River outside of Moncks Corner. It is part of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), 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 annually. 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:

• Father Anthony Chassagne, founding superior, 1949-1954, abbot 1954-1974
• Father Christian Carr, superior 1974-1977, abbot 1977-1990
• Father Francis Kline, abbot 1990-2006
• Father Stanislaus Gumula, abbot 2006-2018
• Father Joseph Tedesco, superior 2018-2026