Inaugural Traditions at Saint Meinrad

When Fr. Denis Robinson, OSB, is inaugurated as Saint Meinrad School of Theology’s 14th president-rector on October 4, it will be amid a display of traditions that date back to the earliest days of monasticism and institutional learning.

Inauguration of school presidents in the United States originated in the 17th century. During that time, the custom of formally acknowledging a change in leadership was established to promote continuity and to honor age-old traditions.

“In any institution, symbolism and traditions are central to the maintenance of the identity of the institution,” says Fr. Denis. “Symbols help us identify what is important to us, our values. They are a shorthand way of showing the world what we represent. A school such as Saint Meinrad is steeped in tradition, not only its own, but that of the 1,500-year Benedictine heritage and, of course, the rich symbolic system of the Roman Catholic Church.”

Several symbolic items will be visible during the inauguration ceremony.

The Medallion

Saint Meinrad’s medallion features the seal of the School of Theology and its motto: Sanctitate et Scientia, Holiness and Learning. The seal is used on official documents of the institution and is the official insignia of the rector.

The bronze medallion will be suspended from a new chain this year designed and created by Fr. Denis himself. The chain includes black onyx and red garnets—the institutional colors of Saint Meinrad. It is arranged in sections with various combinations of three and four stones standing for the three areas of ministry (priesthood, permanent diaconate and lay ministry) and the four pillars of formation (human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral).

The medallion symbolizes the mission of Saint Meinrad and the president-rector’s role in fulfilling that mission.

The Mace

The mace is an ancient symbol of academic and legal institutions. It is a large, club-like object carried before an official. The mace symbolizes the power of a body, in this case, the school and faculty together. Typically, the mace is carried by the senior faculty member.

For the inauguration of Fr. Denis, a new mace is being made by Saint Meinrad College alumnus Keith Fritz, a nationally renowned woodcarver and cabinetmaker located in Jasper, IN.

The wood used to create the mace came from old wood removed from the seminary buildings during recent renovations. The design features the four pillars of formation.

Robes and Regalia

The academic regalia of the faculty represent the various institutions from which they have received their highest degrees. Most gowns are black though some may represent the color of the university.

Monks today still wear the monastic cuculla and a hood, which is thought to be the origin of academic regalia, since most of the earliest universities were founded from monastic schools. Early scholars wore simple robes with hoods, which later evolved into the more colorful robes worn today.

The style of the hood and the cut of the gown reflect the highest degree earned by the wearer. The lining of the hood represents the color of the institution from which the degree was received. The velvet band of color on the hood represents the degree of study. There are 27 colors that reflect various degrees. Red, a traditional color of the Church, signifies theology for example. Doctoral robes have trimming which includes wide velvet panels down the front and three bars of velvet color on the sleeves.