Each day the monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey help to write another page in the long history of Benedictine monks throughout the world. As in the life of any family, life in a monastery is made up of events big and small. Here Father Prior Kurt reports on some of last month's events at Saint Meinrad.
August 2010 (1) A quiet Sunday, for the most part, on this first day of the month. The heat seems to be keeping most people indoors. +++ A few of our alumni arrived early for the 82nd annual reunion, which begins tomorrow and goes through Wednesday. +++ Fr. Sean began his week as presider of our Eucharist.(2) The first full day of the Alumni Reunion, and we welcome 187 alumni and 36 of their guests. A number of the alumni joined the monastic community for Vespers this evening, before partaking of the reception and the banquet. Fr. David Knight and Fr. Denis were among those giving presentations throughout the day. Fr. Simeon gave a unique presentation: a tour of the Archabbey Cemetery, with a commentary highlighting the lives of some of the monks buried there. Abbot Bonaventure was to have been a co-presenter on that tour, but he was taken to the hospital in Jasper on Saturday for some “health adjustments.” The day officially ended with some musical entertainment provided by several monks.(3) Our alumni enjoyed another full day, including presentations by Fr. Eugene and Fr. Cyprian. The Most Rev. Joseph Siegel (C’84), auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Reunion Mass. At the evening banquet, the Distinguished Alumni Award was conferred upon Fr. J. Ronald Knott (O’70) and Mr. Frederick L. Chandler (O’72). They join the ranks of the 16 other alumni who have been so honored.(4) We enjoyed an all-too-brief visit today from Fr. Nathanael Roberts, a monk of Marmion Abbey and an alumnus (O’02). +++ Father Abbot Bonaventure returned home from his four-night stay at the Jasper hospital, in good health and excellent spirits.(5) Today was to have been the day when we had planned to invest our candidate, David Marcotte, with the monastic habit and allow him to begin the novitiate. After living, praying and working with us for the past three months, however, David believes the Lord has other plans for him and has returned to his home in Indianapolis. He will remain in our prayers as we ask God to guide his continuing discernment.(6) Feast of the Transfiguration, which we celebrate as an O.P. (Office of the Prior). Father Prior Kurt was hebdomadarian for Divine Office and presided and preached at our Eucharist. +++ Today was also the actual day, 70 years ago, that Father Eric and Father Donald made their first profession of monastic vows. As is our custom, they sat at the head table for our evening meal, and we had colloquium in their honor. We congratulate our two veteran confreres and ask God for his continued blessings upon them. +++ Eighteen members of the parish council of St. Raphael’s Parish, Louisville, KY, begin a retreat at our Guest House this evening. They will be here through lunch tomorrow. Some dozen permanent deacons and their wives from the Diocese of Belleville also join us this evening, beginning a retreat that will last through noon Sunday.(7) A very quiet Saturday, both in the monastery and on the hill. Someone remarked that the only things moving were the hot air molecules—and there were plenty of those! Along with a good part of the country, we are baking.(8) Fr. Vincent was our presider on this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, filling in for Fr. Pius, who was giving a Saint Meinrad Sunday in Murray, KY. About 20 permanent deacon candidates from the Diocese of Lexington arrived for their Homiletics Week. Their program runs through Saturday, the 14th. (9) Fr. Louis Mulcahy received a knee replacement this morning at St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville. The procedure went well, and he is expected to return to the hill within a few days. +++ Fr. Simeon did not fare so well with his surgery in Jasper this morning. A somewhat minor procedure led to a CAT scan and then a major surgery, during which 8 to 10 inches of his colon were removed. At this time, it seems Fr. Simeon will be in the hospital 7 to 10 days before he is able to return to the hill.(10) Last night Br. Francis returned from Einsiedeln Abbey, where he had been since late May. Accompanying him was Einsiedeln monk Br. Mauritius Honegger who, continuing a “tradition” we began some 35 years ago with our mother house, will be a special student in our seminary this coming school year. +++ Fr. Abbot left for Marmion Abbey this morning to attend tomorrow’s abbatial blessing of Marmion’s fifth abbot, the Rt. Rev. John Brahill. Abbot John is an alumnus of our seminary, theology class of 1981. Fr. Thomas is accompanying Abbot Justin. (11) Fr. Rupert and Fr. Prior Kurt visited Fr. Simeon in the Jasper hospital this evening. Fr. Simeon is experiencing more discomfort than he is pain at this point. His kidneys haven’t been functioning and he is carrying about 8 pounds of extra weight in fluid. Fr. Simeon was anointing by alumnus and pastor of Precious Blood Parish (Jasper) Fr. Gary Kaiser earlier in the afternoon. Shortly after Fr. Rupert and Fr. Prior returned to the abbey, we received word that Fr. Simeon had been transferred to ICU, primarily to keep a closer eye on him and in the hopes that he will have a better chance of getting some sleep. +++ Fr. Barnabas is in St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, where he had some surgery this morning. We are expecting him to return to the hill tomorrow or Friday.(12) Fr. Louis Mulcahy returned from the Evansville hospital where he had knee surgery. He is in good spirits and, with the aid of his walker, is already moving around. +++ Fr. Simeon was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville. His condition continues to fluctuate.(13) Fr. Barnabas returned from the hospital today. He’ll spend about two weeks in our infirmary, recuperating. +++ Fr. Prior Kurt represented Saint Meinrad Archabbey at the funeral of Tom Kelly this morning. Tom, 83 years old, was a generous benefactor of ours and served on our Board of Overseers for a number of years. The funeral was in Terre Haute. +++ It appears that Fr. Simeon is stable for the time being and may even be making some slow progress. He received two hours of dialysis today and is scheduled for more tomorrow.(14) This morning Fr. Prior Kurt and Fr. Bede attended the funeral liturgy and burial of Fr. Damian Schmelz’s brother, Leo, in Corydon. Leo died this past Tuesday at the age of 83. Fr. Damian gave the homily, and alumnus Fr. Rob Hankee (O’02), pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Corydon, presided at the Eucharist. +++ This evening at supper we concluded the two-day read of an article on our Oblate Program, written by Br. Matthew. He and Br. John will profess their solemn vows tomorrow! +++ Fr. Simeon continues to improve slowly.(15) Solemnity of the Assumption and the Profession of Solemn Vows of Brother John Glasenapp and Brother Matthew Mattingly. We congratulate our new capitulars and ask God’s blessings on them all their days! +++ Our latest weekend course sessions drew to a close late this afternoon. Dr. Chris Lutz, Fr. Tom Richstatter, Dr. Stephen Stein and Fr. Brendan were among those offering 12 hours of class Saturday and today.(16) After Compline this evening, we held the Aperitio Oris, the “opening of the mouth” of our two new solemnly professed confreres, Brothers John and Matthew. The brief ceremony marks their official reception into the Chapter, the deliberative and decision-making body of the monastic community. Following the ceremony, our junior monks and novices were brought into the Chapter Room and Father Archabbot Justin offered a conference to the entire community.(17) Father Simeon’s condition continues to fluctuate. +++ Joining us for prayer, study and discussion these days are six priests, taking part in the Recently Appointed Pastors program, sponsored by our Institute of Priests and Presbyterates.(18) The San Damiano Scholars arrived today, a group of collegians from Marian University, Indianapolis, beginning a 24-hour time of retreat on the hill. Fr. J. Friedel, pastor and director of vocations of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, is giving their retreat; “holiness” is the theme.(19) Father Subprior Guerric’s feast day today; he was hebdomadarian for Office and Eucharist. We had colloquium in his honor at supper, and his favored menu consisted of tuna, risotto and tiramisu.(20) As the day began, it appeared that Fr. Simeon was going to have surgery. However, his condition is improving slowly, and so the surgery has been ruled out, at least for the time being. +++ The juniors and novices gave a one-day belated feast day party at the Placidium after Compline for Fr. Subprior Guerric, also their junior-novice master. Some wines and some pizza—both hot and dessert-type—provided some extra treat-tastes.(21) Feast day of Fr. Pius; he presided at our Conventual Mass. +++ Bob and Lisa Bindley of Newburgh were invested as oblate novices after our noon day prayer.(22) Fr. Denis is our Mass heb this week, and the new solemnly professed (August 15) Brother John is in the Office heb’s choir stall for the first time. +++ Fr. Eugene concluded a weekend retreat at our Guest House and Retreat Center for about 40 people: “The Message of the Book of Jonah.”(23) Fr. Simeon continues to recover, slowly. His spirits are good. The word is that he’s pretty close to resuming a near-normal diet.(24) Fr. Thomas’ days here are numbered: he’ll be leaving shortly for the American College of Leuven, where he will pursue a doctorate in philosophy. He’s making the best use of his remaining time on the hill: on this feast of St. Bartholomew, he took Fr. Denis’ place presiding at our Eucharist and preached.(25) Br. Zachary is into the second day of offering his three-day retreat to some 22 individuals at our Guest House and Retreat Center. His topic is “Praying the Bible.”(26) Our 48 new seminarians arrived today to begin their orientation to Saint Meinrad and our seminary. It’s not all work: the administration hosted an evening social mixer for them and the monastic community in the Alumni Commons.(27) Br. Francis began offering the weekend retreat, “Friendship with God,” at our Guest House and Retreat Center to about three dozen guests. +++ Father Archabbot Justin presented “The Story of Saint Meinrad” to the new seminarians as part of their orientation program.(28) Today is the feast day of three of our confreres: Fr. Aurelius, Fr. Augustine and Br. Jacob. We pray God will sustain them in their prayer and work! +++ Fr. Simeon remains in St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville. He has received some blood, and they are trying to advance his diet. +++ Br. Charles, who has been in our infirmary in the monastery for some time now, appears to have taken a turn for the worse. (29) Br. Charles DeSutter died just before three o’clock this afternoon, only nine hours after we began sitting with him. This “vigil” with the dying is one of our customs; monks who are available sign up for hour-long periods to sit and pray with our confrere who is nearing the point of death. Br. Charles celebrated his 80th birthday this past June; he was in the 55th year of his monastic profession. +++ Today was the official opening day of the new school year. Father Archabbot presided at the seminary’s Eucharist and blessed the new altar and Fr. Denis, president-rector, preached. Later in the afternoon, Fr. Denis delivered the opening convocation. We begin the year with an enrollment of 136, our highest enrollment since 1985!(30) The first day of classes, many of which were held in various rooms and seminar spaces in our library—an arrangement necessitated by the pending renovation of Newman Hall. As we inaugurate the academic year, we ask God’s blessings on our students, faculty and staff.(31) We received the body of Br. Charles after our Noonday Prayer. As is our practice, we met the body at the Great Entry Doors and had a brief prayer service. At seven o’clock this evening, we gathered in the entryway to bring his body into the Archabbey Church for the Office of the Dead. Fr. Godfrey gave the remembrance. Tomorrow, Fr. Germain will offer the homily at the funeral liturgy.We thank God for the blessings of this month.We strive to remain faithful to God’s call.We hold in prayer those who have asked to be remembered.
(1) A quiet Sunday, for the most part, on this first day of the month. The heat seems to be keeping most people indoors. +++ A few of our alumni arrived early for the 82nd annual reunion, which begins tomorrow and goes through Wednesday. +++ Fr. Sean began his week as presider of our Eucharist.(2) The first full day of the Alumni Reunion, and we welcome 187 alumni and 36 of their guests. A number of the alumni joined the monastic community for Vespers this evening, before partaking of the reception and the banquet. Fr. David Knight and Fr. Denis were among those giving presentations throughout the day. Fr. Simeon gave a unique presentation: a tour of the Archabbey Cemetery, with a commentary highlighting the lives of some of the monks buried there. Abbot Bonaventure was to have been a co-presenter on that tour, but he was taken to the hospital in Jasper on Saturday for some “health adjustments.” The day officially ended with some musical entertainment provided by several monks.(3) Our alumni enjoyed another full day, including presentations by Fr. Eugene and Fr. Cyprian. The Most Rev. Joseph Siegel (C’84), auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, was the principal celebrant and homilist at the Reunion Mass. At the evening banquet, the Distinguished Alumni Award was conferred upon Fr. J. Ronald Knott (O’70) and Mr. Frederick L. Chandler (O’72). They join the ranks of the 16 other alumni who have been so honored.(4) We enjoyed an all-too-brief visit today from Fr. Nathanael Roberts, a monk of Marmion Abbey and an alumnus (O’02). +++ Father Abbot Bonaventure returned home from his four-night stay at the Jasper hospital, in good health and excellent spirits.(5) Today was to have been the day when we had planned to invest our candidate, David Marcotte, with the monastic habit and allow him to begin the novitiate. After living, praying and working with us for the past three months, however, David believes the Lord has other plans for him and has returned to his home in Indianapolis. He will remain in our prayers as we ask God to guide his continuing discernment.(6) Feast of the Transfiguration, which we celebrate as an O.P. (Office of the Prior). Father Prior Kurt was hebdomadarian for Divine Office and presided and preached at our Eucharist. +++ Today was also the actual day, 70 years ago, that Father Eric and Father Donald made their first profession of monastic vows. As is our custom, they sat at the head table for our evening meal, and we had colloquium in their honor. We congratulate our two veteran confreres and ask God for his continued blessings upon them. +++ Eighteen members of the parish council of St. Raphael’s Parish, Louisville, KY, begin a retreat at our Guest House this evening. They will be here through lunch tomorrow. Some dozen permanent deacons and their wives from the Diocese of Belleville also join us this evening, beginning a retreat that will last through noon Sunday.(7) A very quiet Saturday, both in the monastery and on the hill. Someone remarked that the only things moving were the hot air molecules—and there were plenty of those! Along with a good part of the country, we are baking.(8) Fr. Vincent was our presider on this 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, filling in for Fr. Pius, who was giving a Saint Meinrad Sunday in Murray, KY. About 20 permanent deacon candidates from the Diocese of Lexington arrived for their Homiletics Week. Their program runs through Saturday, the 14th. (9) Fr. Louis Mulcahy received a knee replacement this morning at St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville. The procedure went well, and he is expected to return to the hill within a few days. +++ Fr. Simeon did not fare so well with his surgery in Jasper this morning. A somewhat minor procedure led to a CAT scan and then a major surgery, during which 8 to 10 inches of his colon were removed. At this time, it seems Fr. Simeon will be in the hospital 7 to 10 days before he is able to return to the hill.(10) Last night Br. Francis returned from Einsiedeln Abbey, where he had been since late May. Accompanying him was Einsiedeln monk Br. Mauritius Honegger who, continuing a “tradition” we began some 35 years ago with our mother house, will be a special student in our seminary this coming school year. +++ Fr. Abbot left for Marmion Abbey this morning to attend tomorrow’s abbatial blessing of Marmion’s fifth abbot, the Rt. Rev. John Brahill. Abbot John is an alumnus of our seminary, theology class of 1981. Fr. Thomas is accompanying Abbot Justin. (11) Fr. Rupert and Fr. Prior Kurt visited Fr. Simeon in the Jasper hospital this evening. Fr. Simeon is experiencing more discomfort than he is pain at this point. His kidneys haven’t been functioning and he is carrying about 8 pounds of extra weight in fluid. Fr. Simeon was anointing by alumnus and pastor of Precious Blood Parish (Jasper) Fr. Gary Kaiser earlier in the afternoon. Shortly after Fr. Rupert and Fr. Prior returned to the abbey, we received word that Fr. Simeon had been transferred to ICU, primarily to keep a closer eye on him and in the hopes that he will have a better chance of getting some sleep. +++ Fr. Barnabas is in St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville, where he had some surgery this morning. We are expecting him to return to the hill tomorrow or Friday.(12) Fr. Louis Mulcahy returned from the Evansville hospital where he had knee surgery. He is in good spirits and, with the aid of his walker, is already moving around. +++ Fr. Simeon was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville. His condition continues to fluctuate.(13) Fr. Barnabas returned from the hospital today. He’ll spend about two weeks in our infirmary, recuperating. +++ Fr. Prior Kurt represented Saint Meinrad Archabbey at the funeral of Tom Kelly this morning. Tom, 83 years old, was a generous benefactor of ours and served on our Board of Overseers for a number of years. The funeral was in Terre Haute. +++ It appears that Fr. Simeon is stable for the time being and may even be making some slow progress. He received two hours of dialysis today and is scheduled for more tomorrow.(14) This morning Fr. Prior Kurt and Fr. Bede attended the funeral liturgy and burial of Fr. Damian Schmelz’s brother, Leo, in Corydon. Leo died this past Tuesday at the age of 83. Fr. Damian gave the homily, and alumnus Fr. Rob Hankee (O’02), pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Corydon, presided at the Eucharist. +++ This evening at supper we concluded the two-day read of an article on our Oblate Program, written by Br. Matthew. He and Br. John will profess their solemn vows tomorrow! +++ Fr. Simeon continues to improve slowly.(15) Solemnity of the Assumption and the Profession of Solemn Vows of Brother John Glasenapp and Brother Matthew Mattingly. We congratulate our new capitulars and ask God’s blessings on them all their days! +++ Our latest weekend course sessions drew to a close late this afternoon. Dr. Chris Lutz, Fr. Tom Richstatter, Dr. Stephen Stein and Fr. Brendan were among those offering 12 hours of class Saturday and today.(16) After Compline this evening, we held the Aperitio Oris, the “opening of the mouth” of our two new solemnly professed confreres, Brothers John and Matthew. The brief ceremony marks their official reception into the Chapter, the deliberative and decision-making body of the monastic community. Following the ceremony, our junior monks and novices were brought into the Chapter Room and Father Archabbot Justin offered a conference to the entire community.(17) Father Simeon’s condition continues to fluctuate. +++ Joining us for prayer, study and discussion these days are six priests, taking part in the Recently Appointed Pastors program, sponsored by our Institute of Priests and Presbyterates.(18) The San Damiano Scholars arrived today, a group of collegians from Marian University, Indianapolis, beginning a 24-hour time of retreat on the hill. Fr. J. Friedel, pastor and director of vocations of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, is giving their retreat; “holiness” is the theme.(19) Father Subprior Guerric’s feast day today; he was hebdomadarian for Office and Eucharist. We had colloquium in his honor at supper, and his favored menu consisted of tuna, risotto and tiramisu.(20) As the day began, it appeared that Fr. Simeon was going to have surgery. However, his condition is improving slowly, and so the surgery has been ruled out, at least for the time being. +++ The juniors and novices gave a one-day belated feast day party at the Placidium after Compline for Fr. Subprior Guerric, also their junior-novice master. Some wines and some pizza—both hot and dessert-type—provided some extra treat-tastes.(21) Feast day of Fr. Pius; he presided at our Conventual Mass. +++ Bob and Lisa Bindley of Newburgh were invested as oblate novices after our noon day prayer.(22) Fr. Denis is our Mass heb this week, and the new solemnly professed (August 15) Brother John is in the Office heb’s choir stall for the first time. +++ Fr. Eugene concluded a weekend retreat at our Guest House and Retreat Center for about 40 people: “The Message of the Book of Jonah.”(23) Fr. Simeon continues to recover, slowly. His spirits are good. The word is that he’s pretty close to resuming a near-normal diet.(24) Fr. Thomas’ days here are numbered: he’ll be leaving shortly for the American College of Leuven, where he will pursue a doctorate in philosophy. He’s making the best use of his remaining time on the hill: on this feast of St. Bartholomew, he took Fr. Denis’ place presiding at our Eucharist and preached.(25) Br. Zachary is into the second day of offering his three-day retreat to some 22 individuals at our Guest House and Retreat Center. His topic is “Praying the Bible.”(26) Our 48 new seminarians arrived today to begin their orientation to Saint Meinrad and our seminary. It’s not all work: the administration hosted an evening social mixer for them and the monastic community in the Alumni Commons.(27) Br. Francis began offering the weekend retreat, “Friendship with God,” at our Guest House and Retreat Center to about three dozen guests. +++ Father Archabbot Justin presented “The Story of Saint Meinrad” to the new seminarians as part of their orientation program.(28) Today is the feast day of three of our confreres: Fr. Aurelius, Fr. Augustine and Br. Jacob. We pray God will sustain them in their prayer and work! +++ Fr. Simeon remains in St. Mary’s Hospital, Evansville. He has received some blood, and they are trying to advance his diet. +++ Br. Charles, who has been in our infirmary in the monastery for some time now, appears to have taken a turn for the worse. (29) Br. Charles DeSutter died just before three o’clock this afternoon, only nine hours after we began sitting with him. This “vigil” with the dying is one of our customs; monks who are available sign up for hour-long periods to sit and pray with our confrere who is nearing the point of death. Br. Charles celebrated his 80th birthday this past June; he was in the 55th year of his monastic profession. +++ Today was the official opening day of the new school year. Father Archabbot presided at the seminary’s Eucharist and blessed the new altar and Fr. Denis, president-rector, preached. Later in the afternoon, Fr. Denis delivered the opening convocation. We begin the year with an enrollment of 136, our highest enrollment since 1985!(30) The first day of classes, many of which were held in various rooms and seminar spaces in our library—an arrangement necessitated by the pending renovation of Newman Hall. As we inaugurate the academic year, we ask God’s blessings on our students, faculty and staff.(31) We received the body of Br. Charles after our Noonday Prayer. As is our practice, we met the body at the Great Entry Doors and had a brief prayer service. At seven o’clock this evening, we gathered in the entryway to bring his body into the Archabbey Church for the Office of the Dead. Fr. Godfrey gave the remembrance. Tomorrow, Fr. Germain will offer the homily at the funeral liturgy.We thank God for the blessings of this month.We strive to remain faithful to God’s call.We hold in prayer those who have asked to be remembered.
