News
Father Kenneth Reichert, OSB, enters eternal rest
In the early hours of the afternoon on Thursday, 19 December 2024, our beloved confrere, Father Kenneth Reichert, OSB laid down the burdens of earthly existence and surrendered his soul to the Lord, in whose service he had spent his life as monk and priest. A golden jubilarian of both monastic profession and priestly…
3 Questions for the Junior Monks
1. Where are you from? 2. What are some of your hobbies? 3. What is one thing you have learned or learned about yourself since entering the monastery? Br. Gabriel Chinn, OSB Clarence, Missouri I enjoy reading and maybe just anything I can take outdoors or do outdoors. Recently it’s been taking my schoolwork…
Reflect on Professing Simple Vows
Br. Francis When in the novitiate were you sure that you wanted to continue this path and make simple vows? The surety of wanting to continue with this path of life came with continual growth, but in the end, I had to make a leap of faith and petition to make vows. And…
Beginning the Journey
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 monk who professed solemn vows to the community this summer. For a religious community, receiving new members…
Celebrating Our Jubilarians
Fr. Kenneth Reichert, OSB – 70 Years Professed In my conversations with Fr. Kenneth, I am struck by his strong identity as a Benedictine monk and priest. It is truly remarkable that after 70 years of monastic life and 66 years of priestly ministry, his dedication to this calling remains unwavering. His journey, from being…
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…