Homilies/Sermons
Calling Upon the Saints
There is a great difference between being given a name at birth by one’s parents and consciously choosing a name for oneself and embracing its significance. The usual custom is to submit three names to the abbot in preparation for profession. It is a monastic custom for a novice to receive a new name when…
Listen Readily to Holy Reading
After Compline Fr. Xavier bounds across the walkway that connects the monastery to St. Stephen’s Infirmary. With eyes down and clutching a book in his hand, he walks with purpose as if he were sent on mission. He makes his way down the stairs, carefully holding the handrail with his free hand as he descends,…
Msgr. Louis McCorkle enters eternal rest
On the afternoon of Sunday, 13 June 2021, The Rev. Monsignor Louis W. McCorkle, priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, MO, was called from this life to enter the company of saints in heaven. A native of St. Louis, and having been ordained for the old Diocese of St. Joseph in 1953, Msgr. McCorkle…
St. Joseph in the Basilica
If you come to visit us and spend some time in our historic Basilica, you can begin to admire the murals painted high on the walls of the Basilica. After Jesus and Mary, the next figure most depicted is Joseph. Indeed, St. Joseph is central in the devotional life of Conception monks. But not only…
That Monk Does What? Part 2
A look into the little-known titles of monastic assignments Read Part 1 here: That Monk Does What? Part 1 Hebdomidarian Church Porter Principal Celebrant at Mass Bell Ringer Waiter in the Monastic Refectory Refectory Reader What kind of work do the monks do? In the Fall-Winter 2020 issue of Tower Topics, we offered…
Three Steps Toward Union with God
The Scripture readings for the Solemnity of St. Benedict’s Passing give us three steps toward union with God that we also find in St. Benedict’s Rule: Seek Christ; be Christ; follow Christ. Seek Christ In the Book of Proverbs and elsewhere in the Scriptures, the reader is urged to “seek [wisdom] like silver, and like…
Abbey Trails meets runners, walkers wherever they are
The monks of Conception Abbey invite runners and walkers of all ages to join them for the 2021 virtual Abbey Trails 5K run / 2-mile walk May 1-7. With a one-week window to participate or compete, anyone can complete it on their own time from anywhere. The virtual event has been split into two categories:…
Conception Seminary College breaks ground on new student dormitory
Brothers Living in Unity campaign efforts begin taking shape Photo, left to right: Eric Moore, President, and Wade Harms, Vice-President and project manager, and Bob Herring, on-site superintendent, all of E.L. Crawford Construction, Inc.; Jeff Ellison and Jeremy Proctor, Ellison-Auxier Architects, Inc.; Jim Kopp, alumni association president, regent, campaign volunteer; Tony Cordaro, alumni association; Br.…
Brothers Living in Unity campaign awarded challenge grant, names new residence hall
Conception Seminary College plans to begin construction this spring Conception leadership is pleased to announce that, with the help of our generous donors, we have met the Mabee Challenge, which awards us an additional $1 million grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation toward the Brothers Living in Unity campaign. Last February, the J.E. and…
That Monk Does What?
A look into the little-known titles of monastic assignments Prior Custos Cellarer Porter Refectorian Intentionarius Infirmarian What kind of work do the monks do? There are many job assignments that take place within the monastery itself, often hidden from the public eye, but just as important for the daily upkeep of the monastery and for…