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Celebrating the Season!
Every year the choirs of Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict as well as musicians from Saint John’s Abbey and of course the Saint John’s Boy’s Choir put on one of the finest Christmas concerts that I have ever enjoyed!
Performing groups included the Amadeus Chamber Symphony, directed by Axel Theimer; CSB/SJU Brass [...]
Abbey Guesthouse Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary!
What was only a dream for many, many years became a reality five years ago when we finally built a free standing guesthouse. This past week we realized that over 19,000 visitors had enjoyed the hospitality that this wonderful building provides. It is primarly staffed and managed by monks, the meals are homecooked and the [...]
Happy Thanksgiving!
At morning prayer and in my private prayer today I became rather overwhelmed with the realization that I have so much for which to be thankful! And of all the people and opportunities that I was sifting through of course the greatest thanks are to my God who gives me life and life to all those I love.
Here [...]
The Holiday Season is Coming…!
The annual bake sale and craft fair at Saint John’s was in full tilt yesterday in the Great Hall. The Saint John’s Boy’s Choir was offering coffee and baked goods for the shoppers and all sorts of handmade items were on display from beautiful wood creations, hand painted Christmas ornaments and homemade jams and jellies [...]
All Souls Remembrance
This noon many gathered in the Abbey and Saint John The Baptist Parish cemetery to remember those who have gone before us and remember particularly those who have died in Christ in the past year. As you can see though the temps were a bit chilly the sun is shining in central Minnesota and indeed [...]
Dia de los Muertos altar at Saint John’s…
As the number of monks at Saint John’s who have ties to Mexico increase so do the customs that they have enjoyed from their own culture. To my knowledge this is the first year that we have had a Dia de los Muertos altar set up.
As this is not part of my own background I did a bit [...]
Family Weekend at Saint John’s…
Last weekend was Family Weekend at Saint John’s in addition to hosting a number of college and area high school choirs and of course a home football game. It really didn’t feel like we were “in the country”!
Literally thousands of people were on campus all day. I was giving tours of the abbey church and [...]
Happy 50th Anniversary!
In 1958 the monks of Saint John’s began construction of the new Abbey church, designed to accomodate the growing monastic community as well as the student body. It has since become one of architect Marcel Breuer’s iconic works and a singular piece of American church architecture.
Thanks be to God!
Peace, bpv
An Alum and his friends visit the church…
Gave a Johnnie Alum and his guests a tour of the Abbey Church today. A truly delightful group studying sacred spaces. We had a wonderful time.
Peace, bpv
Pope Benedict’s thoughts on the need for a monastic way in today’s world…
Pope: Silence, solitude needed in ‘agitated, sometimes frantic’ world
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Endless news, noise and crowds have made people afraid of silence and solitude, which are essential for finding God’s love and love for others, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Progress in communications and transportation has made life more comfortable, as well [...]
