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 Tobias reports on some of last month's events at Saint Meinrad.

June 2009

(1) Archabbot Justin, whose patronal feast day is today, was the celebrant at the Conventual Mass this morning. At supper, we honored him with warm applause, a special menu and colloquium. Archbishop Kurtz, Archbishop Kelly and the priests of the Archdiocese of Louisville are here this week for their annual convocation. Brother Romain began the long trip home to his monastery in Togo, West Africa, where he will spend the summer before returning this fall to continue his studies in our School of Theology.

(2) Today we welcomed Brother Philip Poutous, OSB, from Prince of Peace Abbey, our daughterhouse in Oceanside, CA. We are also happy to have two Dominicans on retreat with us, Brothers Leo Checkai and Reginald Lynch, who are studying in Washington, DC.

(3) Father Stephen called from his parish in Lake Village, IN, to say that he was being admitted to the hospital with double pneumonia. During his recent visit to the monastery, he had a deep cough, but didn’t suspect pneumonia at the time. Our landscaping crew has done some leveling and reseeding of grass in the inner courtyard of the monastery, which surrounds our circular refectory. There had been some low spots that were particularly prone to having water pool in them.

(4) Father Harry, who has been on sabbatical this semester in Washington, DC, is home for a brief in-between time. He will soon be off to complete his sabbatical at our motherhouse in Switzerland, the Abbey of Einsiedeln. There he will join Brother Matthew, who is doing some intensive study of German this summer. Brother Romain wrote an e-mail to say that he has arrived safely after the very long trip home.

(5) Archabbot Justin and Father Jonathan represented Saint Meinrad at the episcopal installation of alumnus Bishop Paul Bradley, the newly appointed bishop of Kalamazoo, MI. Recent alumnus Father Jeremiah Grosse, OSB (St. Mary’s Abbey, Morristown, NJ), arrived today in anticipation of Brother Christian’s ordination to the priesthood on Sunday.

(6) Following Vespers, the six tower bells pealed for 5 minutes, signaling tomorrow’s ordination of Brother Christian to the priesthood. Also after Vespers, in the presence of Brother Christian’s family, Archabbot Justin blessed the chalice that the family has given to the monastery on the occasion of his ordination. This took place in the Archabbey Sacristy. And following Compline this evening, the monks were invited to a social with the 23 college interns, who serve as catechists and staff for the “One Bread, One Cup” conference weeks just ahead.

(7) On this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, our confrere Archbishop Daniel (Indianapolis) ordained Father Christian to the priesthood during the Conventual Mass. Father Christian’s family and many of his friends and acquaintances were here to celebrate with us. Immediately following Mass, he imparted his first priestly blessing to individuals and to groups. We continued the celebration in the Newman Dining Room, where we enjoyed the noon and evening meals, and in the Alumni Commons, where the afternoon reception was held.

(8) Father Christian was the presider at Mass for the first time this morning, with his family in attendance. Following their departure for home, he went right to work, as he was already scheduled to teach the college interns this afternoon. Nothing like jumping in with both feet! Father Meinrad, the director of the secular oblates, has put on display the newly published Liturgy of the Hours for Benedictine Oblates that his office has just produced. It’s very handsome indeed!

(9) Subprior Guerric, the novice master, and Brother John Mark, the socius, have accompanied Novices Gary and Joseph for a two-day visit to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, KY. Since the early 1970s, it has been customary for our novices to pay a summertime visit to our Trappist brothers in Kentucky.

(10) Three Marianists have been here on retreat this week, and joined us this evening for supper: Brothers Mel Meyer, Joseph Barrish and Jack Sommerville.

(11) Archabbot Bonaventure and Father Pius are at Marmion Abbey, our daughterhouse in Aurora, IL, for today’s celebration of profession and ordination jubilees. Headlining the jubilarians is alumnus Abbot Gerald Benkert, who this year is celebrating his 80th anniversary of vows and 75th of priesthood. Following the recent death of Father Theodore, Abbot Gerald—who turns 100 in October—inherited the mantle as the senior in age, profession and priesthood in the Swiss-American Congregation.

(12) It’s the time of year for our monks who serve on the staff in the School of Theology to make the rounds of priesthood ordinations and Masses of Thanksgiving for our recent graduates. A happy duty, to be sure!

(14) Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord. Prior Tobias was celebrant and homilist at Mass this morning. In the afternoon, the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra gave a concert in the Archabbey Church. This evening, members of the Einsiedeln Society prayed Vespers with us, and then enjoyed a social and dinner together. Following dinner, Father Ron Knott spoke about the work of the Institute for Priests and Presbyterates, of which he is the founding director.

(15) Brothers John, Francis and Karl travelled today to St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, KS, to attend the two-week summer session for junior monks from around the country. Here at home, the first conference week of the “One Bread, One Cup” program got under way with some 120 youth and 40 adults in attendance. Congratulations to Father Damian! Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has named him a Distinguished Hoosier in recognition of his decades of work with the Department of Natural Resources.

(16) Meanwhile, at the Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center, Father Brendan is leading a study week for oblates this week. All parts of the campus are humming with activity.

(17) Some 15 priests were on hand in the Archabbey Church this evening for the penance service with the participants of the “One Bread, One Cup” conference. Father Godfrey gave the homily.

(18) Another feature of each conference week is a variety show given by the participants. Those who attended this evening’s program were treated to some very good talent.

(19) Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Father Brendan was celebrant and homilist at the Conventual Mass this morning, while Archabbot Justin served in the same roles for the closing Mass of the first “One Bread, One Cup” conference week.

(20) Our former confrere Bill Owens joined us for lunch today, where he was able to catch up on the news with his classmate Brother Giles. We welcomed Father Michael Henning (St. Louis), who is here for retreat. Father Noël is offering a retreat at the Guest House this weekend, for which 20 retreatants are joining him.

(21) Charles Asubonten, in for a visit from South Africa, joined us for the noon meal today.

(22) Traffic on the second floor of St. Anselm Hall was rerouted a bit this morning, as new carpet is being installed.

(23) Twenty-one retreatants have joined Brother Martin for a midweek retreat at the Guest House.

(24) Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist. Prior Tobias was celebrant and homilist. This evening we welcomed seven Little Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis to supper. For a number of years, they have been making their annual retreat here.

(25) Those not from this area may not have heard of the Dubois County Bombers. Well, our two novices, along with two vocation visitors, got to see them in action this evening over in Huntingburg, IN, where they handily beat their rivals from St. Louis. The ballpark in Huntingburg was featured years ago in the hit movie A League of Their Own.

(26) After a few days’ respite, the second of three “One Bread, One Cup” conference weeks began today. Another full house!

(28) To mark the close of the Pauline Year, Father Gavin was invited to give a monologue this evening at St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh, IN. His presentation received glowing reviews! Again this evening, more than a dozen priests served as confessors for the youth and adult participants of the “One Bread, One Cup” conference. Father Brendan gave the homily this evening.

(29) Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Archabbot Justin presided and preached at the Conventual Mass. The day finished with the talent program offered by this week’s youth participants.

(30) As the second conference week came to a close, Archabbot Justin was again the celebrant and homilist for the closing Mass.

In your charity, please remember in prayer our confreres who currently reside part-time or full-time in the infirmary: Father Eric, Father Simeon and Brother Charles.