monastic life
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…
Have it your way
Several years ago, a well-known restaurant adopted the slogan, “Have it your way,” letting customers know they could create a meal in any way that fit their fancy. One-size-fits-all was not on the menu. As 2024 comes to a close, we at Conception Abbey and Seminary College want our friends to know that when it…
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…
Advent + Christmas
From our altar to your home. That is the vision. It sounds simple, sure, but it is unbelievably rich in spirituality and wisdom. Benedictine monasticism has carried peace through spiritual battles for 1500 years with many characteristics that are surely worth embodying in our own lives of faith. Our new “Lectio Divina Rosary Guides,” the…
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…
You Need a Retreat
I am becoming more and more convinced of the need for every Catholic to take an annual retreat. It is curious that as a society, we are convinced of the importance of a regular visit to the doctor or dentist for the sake of our physical health, but when it comes to our spiritual life,…
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…