Abbot Benedict announces new prior of Conception Abbey
Bro. Anselm becomes Conception Abbey’s new prior
On February 2, 2017, Bro. Anselm Broom, OSB, became the new prior of Conception Abbey. The prior holds the secondary leadership role in the monastery and assists the abbot in fulfilling his duties.
Bro. Anselm was born on Dec. 19, 1979, to Doug and Julie Broom, Originally hailing from Texas, Bro. Anselm professed vows as a monk of Conception Abbey on Oct. 16, 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Conception Seminary College (2002) and a licentiate in philosophy from the Catholic University of America (2010). Bro. Anselm is currently an instructor in philosophy and Latin at Conception Seminary College, which is operated by the monks of Conception Abbey. He also is a beekeeper, producing honey that is sold in the Conception Abbey Gift Shop.
First considering a religious vocation under the urge of his pastor in high school, Bro. Anselm attended Conception Seminary College from 1998-2002. He then discerned a monastic vocation with a Trappist monastery in New York but returned to Conception Abbey to continue his discernment and join the community.
“I just fit in here,” he says of his choice of Conception. It also seems that the communal life at Conception Abbey played a definite role in his vocation. An only child, Bro. Anselm commented, “I guess I’m probably compensating for the lack of community growing up. Maybe the only reason I did this was to finally get some brothers,” he said, displaying his signature dry wit.
Bro. Anselm replaces as prior Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB, who has served as prior for over nine years. Fr. Daniel, age 75, is looking forward to taking a break from his administrative role.
This change in leadership is among a series of new appointments by the newly elected Abbot Benedict Neenan, OSB, who his taking action on his goals of increasing leadership roles for younger members of the community and promoting vocations. Other recent appointments of younger monks include Fr. Paul Sheller as subprior, Fr. Macario Martinez as Development Director, and Bro. Jacob Kubajak as Business Manager.
