Conception Abbey

November:

November comes upon us with the gift of memories. The feast of All Saints on Nov 1st and All Souls on Nov 2nd turn our focus to the many people who have gone before us. Those we name as saints are often people of former times and yet their heroic lives of virtue continue to speak to us. We depend upon their example and intercession to assist us in difficult times. Our own departed loved ones continue to be a part of our lives as we remember them and try to make sense out of the things that happen.

Inclement weather at the time prevented our usual liturgical procession in prayer through the cemetery on All Souls Day. Praying for the dead is something we monks do often. Daily we remember our deceased monks, friends, and benefactors at Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.

On Nov 6 we remembered our long time friends who have supported us with financial help through the years with a special Donor Appreciation Dinner. Without these generous and loyal friends much of our ongoing capital improvements would probably not happen. Sharing a meal together and honoring these good friends is surely a blessing to be celebrated with great and lasting gratitude.

Gratitude was certainly the theme which came to the fore during the entire Thanksgiving week. It was good to have most of the monks on mission here those days. Those who were missing were Brs. Paul, Macario, Victor and Guerric. These four young monks have been in theological studies at St. Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN and St. Vincent Archabbey of Latrobe, PA and will come home for the Christmas break.

Tuesday of Thanksgiving Week was devoted to a day long workshop by Fr. Michael Joncas who teaches theology at St. Paul’s Seminary, in St. Paul, MN. He spoke about the new translation of the Roman Missal, its background and its present form. He also helped the priests learn the new tones for the orations and the Preface of the Mass.

Wednesday of Thanksgiving Week was taken up by chapter meetings as well as a conference to the whole community given by the abbot in the afternoon. Our traditional night before Thanksgiving party honored and teased our six jubilarians: Fr. Richard Cleary, Fr. Hugh Tasch (60 years of monastic profession of vows); Archbishop Jerome Hanus (50 years of monastic profession of vows); Fr. Francis Stuart and Fr. Rene Guesnier (50 years of priesthood), and Br. Jude Person (25 years of monastic profession of vows).

These jubilarians and the whole community gathered with Abbot Gregory as celebrant for the Thanksgiving Eucharist on Thursday at 10:00am. The banquet meal which followed seemed to be a fitting way to recognize our community and individual blessings.

Nov 27 was the Beginning of the Advent Season which was very special this year since it marked the first time for using the new translation from revised Roman Missal. We have found that following the transition is going quite smoothly for the most part, although old habits kick in now and then without warning. That’s the story of human nature isn’t it?

December:

This month started tentatively with overcast skies for the most part and days cold enough to reach for the heavier winter coats when venturing outside. It was amazing to see the roofers and brick masons working on the guest house braving the cold winds to try to get the job completed. It turned out that the roofers were successful with the temporary covering (the copper will wait until the spring) but the masons had to close up shop for a while as it was too cold to lay bricks. They are finished except for one side of the building.

There is a noticeable picking up of the pace around campus as students, faculty, and monks are working on their "to do" lists before finals and heading out for Christmas. The Advent season is meant to apply the brakes to some extent and get people to think about the "reason for the season." We hope that this indeed takes place at least on the inside where it counts the most.

May these days be filled with peace and blessings for all people of good will.