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MAGAZINE Volume 11, Number 2 MONKS OK MAGAZINE Volume 11, Number 2 Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Gaudete!REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE Like many monastic ty that can afflict persons of any degree of material communities, St. Grego- wealth or social status. These include poverty of edu- ry’s Abbey has a long his- cation, poverty of intellectual engagement, poverty of tory of cultivating beauty creative expression and poverty of spiritual awareness. through art, architecture, music and other forms These are the forms of poverty that cause many of the of creative expression. We are, however, somewhat attacks against the dignity of the human person af- unique among monasteries in the Americas because flicting our world today. Such forms of poverty give we are the stewards of one of the most extensive and rise to a materialistic and utilitarian understanding diverse collections of human creativity in the Bene- of the human person that easily denies the inherent dictine world. The Abbey is the corporate founder value of the human person. Such denial of human and member of the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, dignity implies that persons can be used or disposed which this year celebrates the centennial anniversary of at will. This perspective can lead societies to deny of its creation by Fr. Gregory Gerrer, O.S.B., a monk the value of life. It also can lead individuals to seek of our community. fulfillment or gratification in addictive substances, self-destructive behaviors or even acts of violence. From time to time someone will ask why the Catholic Church maintains vast and valuable collections of art To understand why the Catholic Church promotes, and artifacts. The persons asking the question reason shares and preserves all kinds of artistic expression, that the Church would do better to sell such items and one first must recognize that the Church fundamen- use the proceeds to feed, clothe, shelter or otherwise tally believes that human beings are created in the assist those who are poor. It is a well-intentioned and image and likeness of God, and are restored to grace important question. The answer, however, is not so by the incarnation of the Word of God, Jesus Christ, obvious. My response takes in a couple of perspec- through whom all things were made. tives. From this truth, the Church affirms that to be human First of all, the question implies an artificial or arbi- is not to be destructive, given to violence or mired in trary choice. But it is not a matter of choosing either sin. No. To be human, truly human, is to appreciate to collect artifacts and pieces of fine art or to come what is good, true, beautiful and full of harmony. To to the assistance of those who are in need. The issue be human is to form life-giving relationships and cul- should not be a question of “either / or,” but rather a ture. To be human is to share in the ongoing act of question of “both / and.” It is possible to accomplish creation, revealing the wonder and beauty of God. both. One can and should do what is possible to alle- viate the physical needs of the poor and to maintain This is why the Church collects, preserves, commis- the cultural testimony of artistic expression. sions and shares the art and creative expression of all cultures of all times. Through such collections, the Secondly, and even more importantly, should recog- Church preserves for all persons and for future gener- nize that we need to address many forms of poverty. ations the testimony of history to what binds human- Along with the great material poverty of so many of ity together in shared dignity that comes from God. our neighbors, we also must address forms of pover- MonksOK! is published four times per year by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey MonksOK! for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. Spring 2019 2- MonksOK In this way, sharing the treasures of art with others can be understood as a means of evangelization. When we help someone to encounter, appreciate and even imitate the noble work of artists, we help that person to encounter both the Creator who inspires such work and the won- drous dignity that all human beings share. And while such encounters are possible for persons of all ages, it is especially important for children to have access to such experiences. We monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey are privileged to be part of this grand tradition that understands and celebrates Thank you! this role of human creativity in our search for union with God. We are grateful to the dedicated personnel, many Giving through IRA’s volunteers and generous donors who make possible for Are you age 70 ½ or older and are required to take minimum us to share our collection through the Mabee-Gerrer distribution payments from your Individual Retirement Museum of Art. Account? Did you know that a charitable distribution from the account can satisfy the distribution without the tax liability? Committed to “enriching lives through art,” the museum Contact your plan administrator and ask for a charitable distribution to your favorite charity be made today! preserves a collection that represents some 8,000 years of human expression. It annually welcomes over 28,000 visitors from around the world, including some 18,000 Life Insurance Beneficiaries children from schools throughout Oklahoma. Have you updated your life insurance beneficiaries lately? Prayerfully consider adding St. Gregory’s Abbey as a We hope you will enjoy learning more about the museum beneficiary! It is an easy way to leave a financial gift to continue and its mission in this issue of MonksOK! More impor- to work of the Abbey. tantly, we hope that you soon will visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Gifts of Investments Investments such as Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds that have appreciated in value can be donated for the full-market value. Check with a licensed securities broker about how to make this type of gift. The donation of real estate, mineral rights and crops are another way to support the Abbey. Contact Abbot Lawrence for more information. Let's stay in touch through Flocknote! It's easy to sign up! Go to www.monksok.org and click on "contact us" to subscribe. If you have questions or comments about this publication, please address them to: Publisher: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B. Editor: Theresa Bragg 1900 W. MacArthur Street Shawnee, OK 74804 Photographers: Br. George Hubl, O.S.B. and Theresa Bragg Phone: (405) 878-5491 E-mail: [email protected] www.monksok.com MonksOK- 3 The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art Celebrating a Century Visitors to St. Gregory’s Abbeyof often are surprisedWonder to discover near the monastery a collection of art and artifacts that is without parallel in Oklahoma. In fact, those familiar with more famous or much larger monasteries in the United States and Europe often are shocked to find such a collection under the stewardship of a relatively small community of monks on the plains of Oklahoma. It’s almost enough to tempt monks from other communities with a spirit of envy! The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art (MGMoA) celebrates this year one hundred years of “bringing the world to Oklahoma” through its amazing collections, special exhibitions and ground-breaking educational programs. While most of the collection and its current facilities are owned by the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, the museum is governed by an independent Board of Trustees and brought to the public by a small but committed staff of museum professionals. A Visionary Founder The museum began under the vision and skill of Fr. Gregory Gerrer, OSB, for whom the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is named. Born in the Alsace region of France, he immigrated as a young man with his family in the late 19th century. Ever an adventurer, for sever- al years he explored his new homeland and occupied himself with various capacities, from being a circus performer to serving as organist at St. Mary Catholic Church in the capital city of Guthrie, Oklahoma Ter- ritory. On Christmas of 1891, he met Abbot Thomas Duper- ou, OSB, who invited him to join the Oklahoma com- munity of Benedictine monks at Sacred Heart Abbey. He accepted the invitation and was clothed as a monk in 1892. Eventually he was ordained as a priest in 1900. After his ordination he was sent to Rome to develop his already significant artistic talent. He studied there for four years. In 1903 he was commissioned to paint the official portrait of the newly elected Pope Pius X, who is now recognized as a saint. He exhibited this mas- terpiece at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and painted a copy of it to send to the Vatican so that the original could be kept by the monastic community. After completing his studies, he returned to Sacred Heart Abbey, where he taught and served as treasurer Top- Fr. Gerrer paints in his gallery studio when it was located near St. of the college. But that was not to be the end of his Benedict's Church in Shawnee. Lower left- Fr. Gregory Gerrer, O.S.B.. adventures and travels to various parts of the world. Lower Right- Fr. Gerrer paints Mt. Sheridan in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma. Through his travels and connections with fellow artists and collectors alike, he gathered the art and artifacts that constitute the heart of the collection preserved and displayed at the museum that bears his name.
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