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When in Rome
Abbot Primate Gregory Polan reflects Abbot Primate Gregory Polan is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his abbatial blessing in 1996 and the 50th anniversary of his monastic profession in 1971. Now in his fifth year as Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation in Rome, he shares here the type of work he does and how…
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FR. NORBERT | FR. RICHARD | FR. RENE | ARCHBISHOP JEROME | FR. ALBERT | ABBOT PRIMATE GREGORY Fr. Norbert Schappler, OSB | 75 years professed “Fidelity” is perhaps the most fitting word to describe jubilarian Fr. Norbert Schappler, who this year celebrates the 75th anniversary of his monastic profession of…
Brothers Living in Unity campaign announces Signature Phase
Conception increases initial scope of residence hall construction CONCEPTION, Mo. (Nov. 12, 2021) – Conception has officially launched a signature phase to “sign off” on the Brothers Living in Unity campaign. In just over two years, Conception Abbey and Seminary College met their original $14.5 million goal for the Brothers Living in Unity campaign,…
Br. Mark professes simple vows within monastic community
The monks of Conception Abbey welcomed Br. Mark Nelson, OSB, in his ceremony of simple profession on Thursday, October 7, 2021, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. For a religious community, receiving a new member is a sign of joy and vitality and a vivid reminder of God’s grace and mercy working among…
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…