News
Father René Guesnier, OSB, enters eternal rest
On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, our beloved confrere, Father René Guesnier, OSB laid down the burden of earthly travail and entered the undying light of God’s glory. He had been a resident in our St. Stephen’s Infirmary since 2018 and, at the time of his death, was a Golden Jubilarian of both profession and…
Young men discern monastic life at Conception Abbey
The monastic community at Conception Abbey has received a true blessing from God that all such communities dream of: an increase in young men discerning monastic life. Ten men are currently in various stages of formation, following one who made solemn vows to the community this summer. For a religious community, receiving new members is…
Meaningful Friendship provides beauty in art
Many wonderful friends contributed to the construction of Good Shepherd Hall, which has been a great blessing for Conception Seminary College. The building was designed to feel less like a dormitory and more like a home in which a supportive community lives together in pursuit of a common goal. We determined the space needed artistic…
Vocations Flourish at Conception Abbey
As our world becomes more secular and materialistic, many people have stopped regularly attending church and are falling away from faith in God. Though this reality is disheartening, there is a counter-movement of many young people seeking to live out the fullness of their Catholic faith more intentionally, I see the transformation happening on college…
Seek God, Seek His Wisdom
Afriend of mine who visited Conception once remarked at the end of his visit: “The giant windmills are a symbol. The monks are running around doing many things, but they go in circles.” A first-time visitor might be forgiven for concluding that the monastic life is circular. Perhaps the phrase Ora et Labora, “prayer and…
Adoring Our Eucharistic Lord
The monks of Conception Abbey and seminarians of Conception Seminary College were a key part of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, July 17-21, where 60,000 Catholics gathered for a Eucharistic Revival. The seminarians took shifts to ensure that the event’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. John the Evangelist Church, where the Eucharist was, was…
Conception Abbey revitalizes ministry The Printery House
CONCEPTION, Mo. — This summer, the monks of Conception Abbey made a fundamental change to one of their ministries. The community’s apostolate The Printery House became Altar + Home by Conception Abbey. The name change has brought with it a more focused mission to share the monks’ Catholic faith and Benedictine spirituality. The change in…
150th Anniversary A Year to Remember
Monastic Family Weekend | St. Columba Parish Carnival | Alumni Reunion | Seminary Family Weekend | Olivier Latry Organ Concert | Monastery Day of Recollection | Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception | Celebration with the Local Community Monastic Family Weekend June 2-4 Expecting that summer would be a…
Morning Rain Cleared For Abbey Trails 2024
The annual Abbey Trails 5K Run / 2-Mile walk brought guests from near and far to Conception Abbey on Saturday, May 4 to celebrate health and wellness. Morning rain cleared just as more than 250 people arrived to participate in the walk, run, health fair, and brunch. The 5K course began at the Abbey’s circle drive…
Abbot Robert Schoofs enters eternal rest
At around eleven o’clock on the morning of Saturday, 6 January 2024, our beloved confrere, Abbot Robert Schoofs, OSB, passed into eternal rest. Abbot Robert was in his ninety-fifth year of age, and a Jubilarian of both profession and ordination. He had resided in St. Stephen’s Infirmary at Conception since his arrival here from St.…