Tower Topics
Be Joyful
The monastic life requires sacrifice. But, in the midst of the things that a monk offers up in order to follow Christ in our Benedictine way of life, there are many blessings. Everyone is susceptible to a myopic viewpoint only seeing the frustrations of life, and then falling into a habit of complaining and being…
Employee Christmas Party
Each year the employees of Conception Abbey, Conception Seminary College, and the Printery House gather together for a Christmas Luncheon. It is an enjoyable time to relax with good food, refreshments, and great company, and look back on how God has blessed our community. We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and…
With Gratitude
Cindy Staten, our faithful Associate Director of Development, is retiring this Friday after seventeen and a half years of service to the Abbey. Everyone who has worked with Cindy knows her to be hard working, dedicated, dependable, and just a pleasant person to be around. She has worked in the Development Office throughout the years…
O Antiphons
The monks gather in the Basilica five times a day to pray for the Church and the world. During this season of Advent, we have been preparing ourselves for Christ’s Coming at Christmas. As Christmas approaches, the monks take part in the Church’s long tradition of the “O Antiphons.” The O Antiphons are ancient liturgical…
Fr. Joachim Schieber passes away
Fr. Joachim Schieber, O.S.B., a Benedictine priest of Conception Abbey, died at 5:25 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Fr. Joachim was the oldest monk of the Abbey. He professed vows on August 30, 1939, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 23, 1944. He was the last monk to have ever met our…
What’s for dinner?
Many people are surprised when they find out that the monks eat almost all of their meals in silence. Okay, maybe they are just surprised to hear that I do not talk during meals. My experience has been that even when you are not talking with the people around you at meals, there is still…
Frost
A dense fog and a bit of moisture rolled in this morning, creating havoc for travelers, but beautiful sights for photographers. He showers down snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. -Psalm 147:16
Br. Etienne Professes Solemn Vows
Today, in the presence of his family, friends, seminarians, and his monastic confreres, Br. Etienne Huard professed solemn vows as a monk of Conception Abbey. In the ceremony, Br. Etienne made a perpetual commitment to live as a monk of our monastery, vowing obedience, stability, and conversion of life. As you can imagine, this is…
Solemn Vows
Today, in the presence of his family, friends, seminarians, and his monastic confreres, Br. Etienne Huard professed solemn vows as a monk of Conception Abbey. In the ceremony, Br. Etienne made a perpetual commitment to live as a monk of our monastery, vowing obedience, stability, and conversion of life. As you can imagine, this is…
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
There is a great benefit to operating a seminary that is culturally diverse. Not only are we able to learn more about other cultures, but we get to celebrate more as well! The diversity of the seminarians are only a reflection of the variety of races and cultures of the people who live in the…