Pictures
Abbey Trails
Saturday morning we had the 20th annual Abbey Trails 5K run/2 mile walk. This year’s event drew a slightly smaller crowd that previous years, probably mostly due to the weather. The threat of rain may have discouraged casual participants from attending. While it rained before and after the event, there was only a light rain during…
Refectory Art: Part II
The monastic refectory has some new art on the east wall, which will be behind the head table. Two Beuronese-style murals, in color, now complement the monochrome murals that were recently restored. The refectory is turning out to be very beautiful and an appropriate communal gathering space. Below: Restored monochrome murals Above and Below: New…
Restoring the Refectory Art
Evergreene Architectural Arts of New York (the company that restored our murals in the basilica) will restore the Beuronese murals in the refectory and add several new murals in both the refectory and the chapter room. They have also advised the community in applying decorations around the walls of those same rooms and around some doorways…
Springtime
We have had plenty of rain lately to nourish the flowers and trees. We have a little more color on campus, which helps a lot.
Card Party at the Abbey
Saturday evening we hosted a group of eight couples who live around the Abbey. All of them are parishioners at St. Columba’s in Conception Junction. Many from the group get together regularly to have supper and play cards, so I decided to host them at the monastery. We played in the Alumni Union in St.…
Renovation Update
The monastery renovation is progressing well. I anticipate that we will see some rapid and dramatic changes during the next couple of months. The monks are still planning on a July 1 move-in date. Above: Monastery courtyard with new sidewalk Below: New stairwell on the northeast side of the monastery Below: Br. Blaise and Br.…
Sioux City Vocation Night
Fr. Guerric and I traveled to Sioux City, Iowa to speak to their youth group about consecrated life. Two Divine Mercy Sisters from Massachusetts were also there to talk about their life. The group had excellent questions for us and I wish we had more time to answer them all. The evening concluded with Adoration,…
In the Light of the Resurrection
Happy Easter! Alleluia! The seminarians are away on Easter Vacation and the monastic community is enjoying a peaceful and cheerful Easter Octave. Tonight the Benedictine Sisters from Clyde will join us for Evening Prayer and supper- a long held tradition. All week long the monks will have a 3:00pm gathering with appetizers and a time…
Easter Preparations
It takes the coordination and help of many people in order to put together one of the most beautiful Easter Vigils around. The Vigil at Conception Abbey begins in complete darkness and silence at 4:30am Easter Sunday. The Easter fire is lit outside in front of the Basilica. This afternoon the Sacristan, Br. Bernard, was…