Conception Abbey
Seminary Sports
It was in the mid to upper 40’s today, which in January seems warm. The freshmen and sophomores in the college play team sports twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday afternoon. When I was a junior monk, I facilitated Team Sports for three years. Now, Br. Justin is in charge of organizing games for…
Question & Answer
We had about 15 kids here on retreat from Kansas City for the weekend. This morning before Mass, I, along with two seminarians, facilitated a question and answer panel for the group. The kids were pretty tired and a bit quiet during the session (as young people usually are before noon), but they listened attentively…
Sr. Maria Victoria Professes Final Vows
This morning I attended the Final Monastic Profession of Sister Maria Victoria Cutaia, O.S.B. at Clyde, Missouri. Abbot Gregory presided at the Eucharistic celebration where Sr. Maria Victoria committed herself forever to stability, conversatio, and obedience. It was a joyful day for the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and all who assembled to celebrate this…
The Movement of the Spirit
Yesterday I made my way to Independence, MO for the Kairos retreat. I arrived at the Franciscan Retreat Center around 3:00pm, only about a 1 hr 45 min drive from the Abbey. One of the sisters showed me around the grounds and to the room where I was staying. We found the rest of the…
Kairos Retreat
Early this afternoon I will be heading to the Franciscan Retreat Center in Independence, Missouri to help out and be a “Benedictine presence” at a youth retreat. The kids on retreat are from Rockhurst High School in Kansas City. They have been on retreat since Tuesday, but I will have Mass for them this afternoon…
Special Delivery
The monks are responsible for getting the mail to the various departments on campus. The Post Office is conveniently placed on the northwest corner of campus, attached to the Printery House. The mail arrives around lunch time and one of the monks is assigned to pick it up from the Post Office after Day Prayer…
Tower Topics Fall-Winter
Our alumni, friends, and benefactors are familiar with our triennial publication, Tower Topics, which hit mailboxes about two weeks ago. I am the Editor of the publication, and the Fall/Winter 2013 publication was just my second issue at the helm. Much planning and work from various people goes into its creation, and I am always relieved…
Monastic Experience
While we are still a couple of months away, I wanted to promote our Monastic Experience weekend. We invite men, between the ages of 18 and 35, who are considering a religious vocation to spend a weekend with the monks of Conception Abbey. It will be an opportunity to discern one’s vocation in an obligation…
On a Mission
The priests of the monastery are often assigned on the weekend to different parishes in the area to assist by celebrating Mass. This weekend I traveled to Bethany, Missouri, only about 45 minutes from the Abbey. I departed Saturday afternoon, driving with sunglasses on, cruising into the bright afternoon sun. I had Mass at 5:00pm…