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The Archbishop’s Garden
By the Work of Their Hands A Feature on Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB A first-time guest to the Abbey came upon one of the monastery grounds workers with an old baseball cap, wearing a pair of dirty blue jeans and a saturated gray T-shirt. “Excuse me, sir…” the lady uttered. “Yes, ma’am,” replied the man.…
Priest, Monk, Brother, Father: What does it all mean?
This article was originally published in Tower Topics, Spring 2020 Understanding Religious Roles Sometimes it can be difficult to understand the differences and similarities between the title “Brother” and “Father,” a priest of Conception Abbey and a priest in a parish not associated with the Abbey, or even the monks at Conception and the seminarians studying…
Brothers Living in Unity campaign makes significant progress
CONCEPTION, Mo. (June 19, 2020) – Conception leadership is pleased to announce that we have raised just over $1.6 million of the $2.8 million needed for us to receive the $1 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation. This leaves $1.2 million to fundraise by January 14 to receive the grant. In February of this…
Fr. Albert: Formed in Community
Fr. Albert walks into the fourth-grade classroom with his usual grin on his face. The students light up as he enters the room, and he is immediately received by a chorus of greetings. They put down their pencils and direct their attention to their pastor who stands before them in the front of the classroom.…
Fr. Anthony celebrates 80 years of service and fidelity
There are often firsts in every family, so even in a monastic community, we too have the pleasure of participating in an event happening for the first time. This year, on March 12, our Fr. Anthony Shidler, OSB, celebrated 80 years as a professed Benedictine monk. For the first time in our community’s 147-year history,…
A Message of Hope
Nothing will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord A message from Abbot Benedict Dear friends in Christ, I want to assure all of you that we at Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College are determined to remain close to you during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and that the…
5 Spiritual Lessons We Can Learn From This Crisis
5 Spiritual Lessons to Learn From This Crisis by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB, Dean of Spiritual Formation at Conception Seminary College It is obvious that the news and outbreak of the COVID-19 virus is a very difficult time for all of us, and in every challenge, there are deeper spiritual lessons that we can…
Information regarding coronavirus, COVID-19
Last revised 1/11/22 We are happy to let you know that Conception Abbey is open to the public. We are confident that we have a safe and welcoming campus and a united community. At this time, masks are optional, and handwashing and sanitizing are strongly encouraged. Visitors may attend services in the Basilica. See our…
Conception receives $1 million challenge grant in Brothers Living in Unity campaign
CONCEPTION, Mo. (February 3, 2020) — To aid Conception in its final push to raise funds for the construction of the new seminary residence hall component of the Brothers Living in Unity campaign, the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation has awarded Conception Abbey and Seminary College with a $1 million challenge grant. The challenge…
Abbot Primate Polan receives McManus Award
This news release was originally written by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions. The McManus Award is the highest honor bestowed by the nations’ liturgists and it recognizes significant contributions to furthering the liturgical renewal in the United States. This year, it was, appropriately, presented to Abbot Primate Gregory Polan, OSB — acknowledging his more…