Solemn Vows for two monks

On Sunday, August 24, two of our young monks professed their solemn vows for life. The picture shows them singing the Suscipe... after they read their profession formula. On the left is Brother David Wilding and on the right is Brother Victor Schinstock. The Basilica was filled to capacity for the event. Abbot Gregory was celebrant for the Mass and presided at their profession ceremony. In the evening they were honored at a special banquet in the monastic refectory and after the meal were officially received as members of the monastic chapter.

Early Monday morning four of the young monks left for school in various places. Brothers Anselm and Victor left for Washington, DC where both will be students a the Catholic University of America and Brothers Guerric and Macario left for St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana to continue studies at St. Meinrad Seminary school of theology. Later this week Brother Pachomius will leave for Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon where he will complete his last year of theology studies in preparation for ordination to the priesthood.

Today is registration day for the seminarians here at Conception and tomorrow is the first day of classes. The official opening of school Mass was celebrated today by Father Samuel, President-Rector of the seminary.

The photo used in this blog is courtesy of Jarrod Thome, director of communications.

Novitiate and Vows

On Thursday, August 14, Postulant Adam Burkhart was received as a novice in the community. He has been a Postulant for the past year and now begins his official period of the novitiate for one year. Novice Adam is from Kansas City, MO. He along with Abbot Gregory and Brother Bernard, the novice master, are pictured after the ceremony.

Then on Friday, August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, Novice Isaac Dale made his temporary vows for three years. Novice Isaac was given the name Placid so is now known among us at Brother Placid. St. Placid was one of the first disciples of St. Benedict. Brother Placid is pictured professing his vows before Abbot Gregory. Brother Placid's parents and a number of family members and friends were here for the occasion. The day after his profession he left for a one week vacation and time to visit with his family and others.

Now this week the students arrive. The new students are due to arrive on campus today (Wednesday) for some days of orientation and then the returning students will arrive on Saturday. The enrollment this year will be about 108 students.

On this coming Sunday we have two of our monks, Brother David and Brother Victor, making their solemn vows. This will take place at the regular 10:30 AM conventual Mass.

(Both photos in this blog are courtesy of Jarrod Thome, director of communications)

Back home after a week of vacation

I returned home yesterday, August 7, after spending a week relaxing and resting on the farm near where I grew up in Brunswick, Missouri. Our old farm house is no longer standing. That is the house where all five of us boys were born. There were no girls in the family. My poor mother had her hands full. In those days the doctor came to the house to deliver babies. My only living brother, who lives in Kansas City, owns a neighboring farm and keeps a trailer home on it so I use that when I am home but of course go around to visit relatives -- one sister in law still lives in the area, plus a number of nephews and nieces and grand nephews and nieces, as well as a number of cousins. It was a good week.

As usual when you arrive home there is a lot of work piled up for you as I check my e-mails, my regular mail etc. I have a good staff in the infimary so things went smoothly there while I was away.

This weekend I go to Cameron and Maysville, MO for three Masses. Father Paul Turner is pastor there but he is gone so I will go down to take the Masses for him.

The picture I posted above was taken at Qumram in the desert of Israel when I was there over two years ago. Qumram of course is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Hope you are all enjoying the summer and keeping cool. In the past week we had some really hot and humid weather.

New International Program for Priests

Pictured to the right are the 16 priests who attended the first International Program for Priests held here at Conception Seminary College. It is called "Language, Culture and Church for International Priests." It is for priests from foreign countries who have volunteered for service in dioceses in the United States. Priests attending this year were from Nigeria, the Philippines and India, but all are presently serving in dioceses in the United State. The program was three weeks in length and included language, as well as culture. The mornings were pretty well taken up with language courses and the afternoons had a variety of workshops involving many different aspects of parish life in our country.

One evening the priests prepared a special meal for all the monks and guests. We had native foods from the various countries represented. It was an enjoyable experience for all of us.

In August we are looking forward to welcoming one new novice, Adam Burkhardt; one novice who will make his first profession of temporary vows on August 15, Isaac Dale; and two who are completing their three years of temporary vows and will make solemn profession on August 24, Brother David Wilding and Brother Victor Schinstock.

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Please note that I will be leaving for some vacation days on July 29 and will return on August 6. So there will be no new entries in this blog for the next ten days or so. Fr. Kenneth

Hot and humid in July

The brief video above includes the front of the Basilica and the towers and the ringing of bells before vespers on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Hope you enjoy it and that it will serve as a reminder of Conception Abbey.

The weather has been quite hot lately and is supposed to stay that way. We have not yet had a day up to 100 degrees but it has been up in the 90's and, as any of you know who have lived in the midwest, we usually have some rather hight humidity.

This weekend and through Monday, July 21, the Swiss American congregation of Benedictines are having their Congregation meeting at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. This meeting is held every three years. It includes the Abbot (or superior) of each monastery in the Congregation and one elected representative from each monastery. Abbot Gregory and Father Patrick are there from Conception Abbey. Brother Thomas is also there as he is on the Abbot President's Council. There are sixteen abbeys or priories in the Swiss American Congregation.

Father Daniel, the Prior returned home from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land last Tuesday. It seems to have been a good trip but very fast and so much to see in a short time.

Hope you are all having a good summer. God's blessing be with all of you.