Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey GAUDETE! REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE Everyone knows that Many have encountered this type of change change is an unchanging when hearing the news that St. Gregory’s University aspect of the human would cease operations at the end of the 2017. experience. We as Students experienced an interruption in their individuals constantly educational plans; members of the faculty, staff and experience change: our administration faced unknown implications for bodies grow, develop, their families and the realities of unemployment and flourish and decline; our career displacement; donors wondered about their intellects expand by perceiving our surroundings and investment in this worthy cause; alumni worried about giving meaning to the experience of our senses; our an institution that had had a profound impact on their souls develop in response to all the above and to the lives; monks prayed for all involved. All these groups promptings of divine grace. All around us changes in have something in common: all now are challenged to society, governments and cultures mark the passing discern the presence and will of God in the middle of of human history. Even the natural world in which we profoundly changing circumstances in life. live changes – through the cycles of day and night, the rhythms of the seasons, and the fundamental level of Truth be told, this is something that everyone global climate. is challenged to do from time to time. Rather than being frozen by anxiety and fear in the face of change, We usually experience anxiety in the face of persons of faith are challenged to discern how God is change. This is especially true when we encounter present in the middle of uncertainty and change. Even changes that are beyond our influence or control. In when changes are not of our choice or are borne of the face of uncertainty and change, our first instincts tragic events, we are challenged to discern how God is often assume that the change we face will have calling to us amid the chaos that seems to surround us. negative consequences. We can be filled with dread or fear. This is somewhat natural because change In such times we can reflect on Mark 4:35-41. involves letting go of that which we know. Even when On that day, as evening drew on, [Jesus] said to the situation we know is difficult, or even destructive, them, “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, it can be hard to embrace something new and they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And unknown. other boats were with him. A violent squall came up and Change is especially difficult when it involves waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already letting go of someone who has helped us to grow, filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. or leaving behind something that has provided They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not us purpose and meaning in life. It is in such care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the circumstances that we long for answers and resolutions wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind that are not immediately clear or easy to find. ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” MonksOK is published four times per year by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey MonksOK for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. 2- MonksOK They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” Like the disciples, we can feel as though THANK YOU! we are drowning in the turbulent waters of change. We can feel as though we are The Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey express our Gratitude to all overwhelmed and sinking fast, and that those who have made our work of Catholic education possible God is somehow oblivious to our peril. over the course of 140 years. But just as Jesus was calmly resting in that Beginning with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, we thank all boat along with the frantic and frightened American Indian Peoples for their support, their collaboration disciples, so also the Lord is with us when and for entrusting their young people to our care. we are frantic and frightened by change. Like the disciples, we are called to discover We thank the incredible colleagues and volunteers who have that the power of Christ is far greater than labored alongside us, giving of their time, talents, expertise, the waves that appear so threatening. Jesus resources and prayers to our mission. is even greater than the fear that can be so We thank the countless donors who have invested their gifts of paralyzing. every kind to the support of our mission. The cycle of Lent and Easter provide We thank the Knights of Columbus of Oklahoma, who an extended season of grace in which we have been faithful partners to St. Gregory’s from its very can discern this saving power of God in beginnings, especially in their efforts to provide scholarship our lives. The discipline and failures we support for students. experience in Lent help us to recognize what we need to change in our lives. The We thank the alumni who have continued to be part of our glory and joy of Easter then proclaim to us lives – whether or not they were able to complete their degree that such change is possible in Christ our program. Lord. Whether the storm waves strike us And finally, we thank the students and families who chose to from outside circumstances or arise from a attend our schools and thus let us be part of their lives. tempest within us, we can call upon Jesus to calm the waters and fill us with hope. It is Be assured that we will continue to pray for all of you each out of the peace that only he can bring that day. We ask that you continue to pray for us, and to be part we can discern and arrive at the welcoming of our ongoing life at St. Gregory’s Abbey. May God bless you shore on the “other side of the lake” that is with the greatest gifts of faith, hope and love! the goal of our journey with him. Peace, Abbot Lawrence and the Monks If you have questions or comments about this publication, please address them to: Publisher: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB MonksOK is published four times per year by the 1900 W. MacArthur Street Photographers: Br. George Hubl, OSB and Theresa Bragg Shawnee, OK 74804 Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Phone: (405) 878-5656 Graphic Designer: Nicole McCoy for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. E-mail: [email protected] Contributor: Joshua Young or visit us on the web at: www.monksok.com facebook.com/monksok Visit us at www.monksok.org- 3 End of an Era for St. Gregory’s In January 1876, just three months after they arrived and academic programs. For various reasons, these in Indian Territory, Fr. Isidore Robot, OSB, and Br. strategies did not come to fruition. In fall of 2016, Dominic Lambert, OSB, worked with a “Miss Atchison” officials pursued a final opportunity through a USDA to open a day school in Atoka, Indian Territory. Even rural development bond program. This was done before they had located a permanent home for the in collaboration with the Community Development monastery they would found, the Benedictines thus Corporation of the Potawatomi Nation, the Citizen inaugurated Catholic education in what eventually Potawatomi Nation and the City of Shawnee. For nearly would become Oklahoma. Eventually the monks a year, university, tribal, monastic and civic leaders established schools for Native American children at worked to secure this refinancing option. On October Sacred Heart, Pawhuska / Grey Horse, and Anadarko, 31, 2017, word came from the USDA that St. Gregory’s schools for African American children near Lehigh, at would not qualify for the program. Because of critically Langston and in Chickasaw nation, and finally at St. low cash reserves, the SGU Board made the decision to Gregory’s in Shawnee – which over the course of 100 “suspend operations” at the end of the fall semester. years was home to a high school, college and university with several graduate degree programs. In the final weeks of the semester, great efforts were made to provide students with a variety of opportunities For 142 years, the monks of Sacred Heart Abbey / to complete their educational goals in a timely fashion. St. Gregory’s Abbey have been dedicated and untiring Dozens of other universities came to campus to look at champions of Catholic education. They have served smooth academic transfers and financial aid offerings. as founders, teachers, administrators, deans, residence Naturally, the many dedicated employees of the advisors, staff members, grounds keepers, coaches, university also were faced with the loss of their jobs and housekeepers, cooks, fund-raisers, donors, nurses, interruptions in their careers. builders, librarians, chaplains, mentors and advocates. Throughout all of this, the monks have been Pray-ers: With the suspension of operations and the effective maintaining the daily celebration of the Eucharist and closing of St. Gregory’s University, the monastic the Divine Office. community also experienced deeply the end of an important era in the history not only of the Abbey, On November 8, 2017, the Board of Directors of but also of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma.
Recommended publications
  • Sacred Heart Mission and Abbey
    Page 233 ing cities, gushing oil wells—the "beginning" of a great Commonwealth, Oklahoma. I am told that this stone fell and lay prone for some time; but that within the last year or two it was replaced. When my friend, Rev. J. C. Morris and son of Wynnewood visited it on January 8, 1927, it was standing, though it was weathered considerably from what it was when Mr. Darling set it up in 1870. SACRED HEART MISSION AND ABBEY Brother John Laracy, O.S.B. Page 234 The Sacred Heart Mission, now known as Sacred Heart Abbey, was founded in 1876, by Father or Abbot Isidore Robot, of the Order of St. Benedict. Father Robot was a native of France, born in Burgundy, July 17, 1837. His parents were well to do farmers, who gave him the benefit of excellent educational advantages. He was an accomplished writer in the French language and was possessed of a fair knowledge of music, especially of the plain chants and other sacred music of the Catholic Church. He was ordained to the priesthood of the Catholic Church, April 17, 1862. He served for one year as vicar general of the little diocese of Monaco. During the Franco-Prussian War, in 1870, he served as a chaplain in the French Army. In 1872, Father Robot answered the call of the Bishop of New Orleans for missionaries. He landed in the United States, January 28, 1873, and was assigned to a field of labor among the French and Creole French people of Louisiana, where he rendered faithful and effective service for several years.
    [Show full text]
  • Enrolled Senate Resolution No
    (1ST EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE 50TH LEGISLATURE) ENROLLED SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2X By: Johnson, Adelson, Aldridge, Anderson, Barrington, Bass, Branan, Brogdon, Cain, Capps, Coates, Coffee, Corn, Crain, Crutchfield, Easley, Eason McIntyre, Fisher, Ford, Garrison, Gumm, Harrison, Hobson, Jolley, Justice, Kerr, Lamb, Laster, Laughlin, Lawler, Leftwich, Lerblance, Mazzei, Monson, Morgan, Myers, Nichols, Paddack, Pruitt, Rabon, Reynolds, Riley, Shurden, Taylor, Wilcoxson, Williamson, Wilson and Wyrick A Resolution congratulating the Diocese of Oklahoma upon the occasion of its centennial; and directing distribution. WHEREAS, on October 12, 1875, permanent Catholic missionaries arrived in Indian Territory. Having attained the status of Apostolic Prefecture of the Indian Territory on July 5, 1876, and Apostolic Vicariate of the Indian Territory on May 29, 1891, on August 17, 1905, the Diocese of Oklahoma was established; and WHEREAS, leaders of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma include Benedictines Isidore Robot and Ignatius Jean (1875-1891), Bishop Theophile Meerschaert (1891-1924), Bishop Francis Clement Kelley (1924-1944), Bishop Eugene J. McGuinness (1945-1957), Bishop Victor J. Reed (1958-1971), Archbishop John R. Quinn (1972-1977), Archbishop Charles A. Salatka (1977-1993), and Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran (1993-present); and WHEREAS, more information is available in the book “Roman and Oklahoman: A Centennial History of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City”. A Heritage Room has been established at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Oklahoma City featuring artifacts reflecting the history of the Church; and WHEREAS, a Mass to observe the centennial of the founding of the Diocese of Oklahoma (1905-2005) was celebrated on August 14, 2005, at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
    [Show full text]
  • AN Hlstorical STUDY of FIVE BUILDINGS SELECTED AS OKLAHOMA LANDMARKS and LOCA';L'ed in POTTAWATOMIE.COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
    AN HlSTORICAL STUDY OF FIVE BUILDINGS SELECTED AS OKLAHOMA LANDMARKS AND LOCA';L'ED IN POTTAWATOMIE.COUNTY, OKLAHOMA By WANDA KATHRYN ir:uLLY '.(, Bachelor of Science Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Oklahoma 1954 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE May, 1969 Ci'iiJJ,HOM.A s1.-;.1,E umvrnsnY LIBRA1~Y AN HISTORICAL STUDY OF FIVE BUILDINGS SELECTED AS OKLAHOMA LANDMARKS AND LOCATED IN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA Thesis Approved: vtMfA<.i. Thes~s~vi~er ~·--- Deann .. ofQ the . .~G raduate• College -·- 725120 ii PREFACE This study was initiated to gather and compile infor- mation pertaining to the history and interior design of five buildings chosen by the Oklahoma Landmarks Publica­ tion Committee an~ located in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. This topic was chosen as a tribute to the author's father, the late Lee P. Burnett, who was dedicat­ ed to this, cause. r The writer wishes to thank Mrs. Christine Salmo~, Associate Professor of Housing and Interior Design, Oklahoma State University, for her guidance, helpful sug­ gestions, and criticisms. Indebtedness is also acknowl­ edged to Miss Leevera Pepin,, Assistant Professor of Housing and Interior Design; and Dr. Elizabeth Hillier, Professor of Home Economics Education, who also guided the study. The writer also acknowledges indebtedness to The Benedictine Fathers of St. Gregory's College, Shawnee, Oklahoma, for the use of the material in the Archives and especially to Rev. Joseph Murphy and Rev. Denis Statham for their personal interviews; Mrs. Florence Drake Keller of the Pottawatomie County Historical Society, Shawnee, Oklahoma; and Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Sooner Catholic
    Sooner Catholic soonercatholic.org February 24, 2019 archokc.org Go Make Disciples First girls’ digital discernment Catholic Sisters Week: Take time group starts in archdiocese to recognize the good work of women religious By Jolene Schonchin The Sooner Catholic High school and college can be a very demanding time in the lives of students. As they finish their classes, edging their way to graduation, they are faced with the milestone question, “What do I want to do with my life?” Teachers, parents and peers give them advice on what the next step should be. As offers and opportu- nities arise, so does the opportu- nity to serve God. But, how do they know if God is really calling them, and how do they know what God wants them to do? How can God mold them to be disciples of the Church? The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has found a way to help stu- dents with these questions as well as others through Digital Discern- ment Groups. Taking advantage of the digital information age, both young men and women have an opportunity to gain encourage- ment and guidance through digital meetings. The first-ever girls ArchOKC Girls Digital Discernment Group was Jan. 2. It was led by Father Brian Buettner and Sarah Pierce, an Oklahoma City University Sr. Maria Faulkner at her Silver Jubilee on graduate student. The group Sept. 1, 2015. Photo provided. meets 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. every Tues- day through Google Hangouts. “One of the great things about discernment groups is that we do continued on page 7 Sr.
    [Show full text]
  • Sooner Catholic Soonercatholic.Org October 28, 2018 Archokc.Org Go Make Disciples Holy Trinity Celebrates 125 Years in Okarche
    Sooner Catholic soonercatholic.org October 28, 2018 archokc.org Go Make Disciples Holy Trinity celebrates 125 years in Okarche By Diane Clay Catholics of Okarche gath- The Sooner Catholic ered in the first church built here by the local OKARCHE – Archbishop Paul Coakley, former Catholic community to pastors, parishioners and the community of celebrate the Eucharist for Okarche gathered Oct. 7 to celebrate the 125th the first time. From that anniversary of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. time until now, the faithful Hundreds of well-wishers filled the gothic-in- of this community have spired church that sits just off the main thor- come together to cele- brate their Catholic faith, oughfare through this quaint farming town 40 to celebrate the Mass, to miles northwest of Oklahoma City. The parish live their faith, to hand and the community are the home of Blessed on their faith in ways that Stanley Rother, who was beatified in 2017. have been a great bless- During his homily, Archbishop Coakley cele- ing to the families, to this brated the faith and the life of the church and community and to the its people in what he said is one of the most Church in Oklahoma.” historically Catholic towns in Oklahoma. In 1892, Father Joseph “On the first Sunday of October in 1893, the Beck began to say Mass in Okarche in the homes of residents, since many of them were of German Fr. Philip Louis, Fr. Stephen Bird, Archbishop Coakley, Fr. Gerard Catholic background. A MacAulay and Fr. Marvin Leven. Photos Diane Clay/Sooner Catholic.
    [Show full text]
  • Meet the Monks: Father Adrian Vorderlandwehr, O.S.B., Served As the Seventh Abbot of St
    Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK From Abbot Lawrence When the founders of our community entered Indian Territory in 1875, they could not have imagined what the future held in store for them. They had come into a vast territory to minister to peoples whose cultures and languages were completely different from those of their French homeland. To meet such a daunting challenge, they were animated by their fervent faith and their equally fervent desire to combine a strict monastic tradition with the missionary idealism of the 19th Century. As additional monks arrived, the pioneering Benedictines established a monastery, several schools, and pastoral ministry to a Catholic community that was widely dispersed throughout Indian and Oklahoma Territories. The monks travelled near and far by train, buggy, horse and even by foot to serve the People of God with Word and Sacrament. This is an important part of our heritage as a community. Throughout our history we have reached far beyond the “walls of the monastery” in order to serve the needs of the Church and of our brothers and sisters in Christ. And although our means of transportation have changed, we continue to cover much of the same territory as did those original French monks. In March and April we celebrated Today, three of our monks continue to serve as residential pastors in particular our annual spring Oblate meetings here parishes. We also provide ministry to Tinker Air Force Base every day of the week. In ad- at the Abbey and at St. Benedict Parish dition to this, monks of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Vol. 24 No. 1 Pioneer Beginnings at Emmanuel, Shawnee by The
    Vol. 24 No. 1 Pioneer Beginnings at Emmanuel, Shawnee by the Reverend Franklin C. Smith -- 2 Mrs. Howard Searcy by Howard Searcy -------------------------------------------------- 15 Jane Heard Clinton by Angie Debo -------------------------------------------------------- 20 Mary C. Greenleaf by Carolyn Thomas Foreman --------------------------------------- 26 Memories of George W. Mayes by Harold Keith --------------------------------------- 40 The Hawkins’ Negroes Go to Mexico by Kenneth Wiggins Porter ------------------ 55 Oklahoma War Memorial – World War II by Muriel H. Wright ---------------------- 59 An Eighty-Niner Who Pioneered the Cherokee Strip by Lew F. Carroll ------------- 87 Notes and Documents ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 102 Book Reviews -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 108 Necrologies Cornelius Emmet Foley by Robert L. Williams -------------------------------- 112 William Leonard Blessing by Robert L. Williams ----------------------------- 113 Charles Arthur Coakley by Robert L. Williams -------------------------------- 114 James Buchanan Tosht by Rober L. Williams ---------------------------------- 115 William L. Curtis by D.B. Collums ---------------------------------------------- 116 Earl Gilson by Lt. Don Dale ------------------------------------------------------- 117 William Marshal Dunn by Muriel H. Wright ----------------------------------- 119 Minutes ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [Show full text]
  • The Catholic University of America A
    THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA A Church Apart: The Catholic Church in the Rural South, 1939-1990 A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Faculty of the Department of History School of Arts & Sciences Of The Catholic University of America In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree Doctor of Philosophy By Seth R. Smith Washington, D.C. 2016 A Church Apart: The Catholic Church in the Rural South, 1939-1990 Seth R. Smith, Ph.D. Director: Leslie Woodcock Tentler, Ph.D. This dissertation examines Catholicism in the rural South to answer three questions. The first is how did priests and lay Catholics engage in a pluralistic American society before and after Vatican II while drastically outnumbered? The second is what did it mean to be part of the universal Catholic Church while isolated geographically, socially, and institutionally? Finally, how do we balance the impact of major national and international events on the Catholicism in the rural South with the importance of local context? This dissertation seeks to answer these questions by examining the history of seven parishes – four pastored by Glenmary Home Missioners and three pastored by non-Glenmarians – in the rural South between 1939 and 1990. Throughout much of the twentieth century, Southern Catholics were regarded with suspicion by their neighbors without the protections offered by numbers or their own confessional institutions. Catholics in the rural South dealt with this in two ways. The first was by emphasizing their Southerness. Apart from their religious beliefs, they were virtually indistinguishable from their fellow Southerners, and their views on politics, economics, and race hewed much closer to their non-Catholic neighbors than their co-religionists in the North.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Layput.Qxd
    Sooner Catholic Serving the People of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City Volume 35, Number 16 * August 31, 2008 Saint Gregory’s Abbey Rejoices with Ordination of Father Copelin SHAWNEE — With fellow Benedictine monks and priests, as well as priests from throughout the archdiocese joined in prayer, Archbishop Beltran ordained Boniface Copelin, OSB, a Roman Catholic priest, on Aug. 21 in the historic Saint Gregory’s Abbey. The Eucharistic Celebration of Ordination took place on the Memorial of Pope Saint Pius X. In his homily, Archbishop Beltran paid tribute to the Church leaders who have planted the seeds of Catholicism and faith throughout the ages, including the early days before Oklahoma entered into state- hood. Brother Boniface was presented for ordination to the archbishop by Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, abbot of Saint Gregory’s Abbey. “More than 130 years ago, Father Isidore Robot and Brother Dominic Lambert crossed the Arkansas River at Fort Smith and entered the Indian Territory,” Archbishop Beltran said, looking directly at Father Copelin, who was seated on the altar a few feet in front of the archbishop. “They were Benedictine monks from France who came here to be missionaries.” Archbishop Beltran said the Benedictine mission- aries came to this part of the world with faith, vision and purpose. They established churches and schools and over the years helped guide the people who lived here to know, love and serve Christ. “Brother Boniface, like Father Isidore and Brother Dominic before you and like all the other monks of Sacred Heart and Saint Gregory’s, deep within your soul you have heard a call.
    [Show full text]
  • Potawatomi Indians of the West: Origins of the Citizen Band
    This dissertation has been 61-3062 microfilmed exactly as received MURPHY, Joseph Francis, 1910— POTAWATOMI INDIANS OF THE WEST: ORIGINS OF THE CITIZEN BAND. The University of Oklahoma, Ph.D., 1961 History, archaeology University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan Copyright by Joseph Francis Murphy 1961 THE UNIVERSITY OF OKIAHOMA. GRADUATE COLLEGE POTAWATOMI INDIANS OF THE WEST ORIGINS OF THE CITIZEN BAND A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY JOSEPH FRANCIS MURPHY Norman, Oklahoma 1961 POTAWATOMI INDIANS OF THE WEST: ORIGINS OF THE CITIZEN BAND APPROVED BY DISSERTATION COMMITTEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT It is with the deepest sense of gratitude that the àüthdr'"âcknowledges the assistance of Dr. Donald J. Berthrong, Department of History, University of Oklahoma, who gave so unsparingly of his time in directing all phases of the prep­ aration of this dissertation. The other members of the Dissertation Committee, Dr. Gilbert C. Fite, Dr. W. Eugene Hollon, Dr. Arrell M. Gibson, and Dr. Robert E. Bell were also most kind in performing their services during a very busy season of the year. Many praiseworthy persons contributed to the success of the period of research. Deserving of special mention are: Miss Gladys Opal Carr, Library of the University of Oklahoma; Mrs. 0. C. Cook, Mrs. Relia Looney, and Mrs, Dorothy Williams, all of the Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Çity; Mrs. Lela Barnes and M r . Robert W. Richmond of the Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka; and Father Augustin Wand, S. J., St. Mary's College, St. Marys, Kansas.
    [Show full text]
  • Oklahoma Catholicism: The
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by SHAREOK repository OKLAHOMA CATHOLICISM: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FRENCH MONASTIC FOUNDATIONS By SAMUEL GRAYSON LEE JENNINGS Bachelor of Arts in History Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, Oklahoma 2009 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS December 2016 OKLAHOMA CATHOLICISM: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FRENCH MONASTIC FOUNDATIONS Thesis Approved: Michael Logan Thesis Chair Laura Belmonte Joseph Byrnes ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For Mark Bachmann and Benet Exton. iii Acknowledgements reflect the views of the author and are not endorsed by committee members or Oklahoma State University. Name: SAMUEL GRAYSON LEE JENNINGS Date of Degree: DECEMBER 2016 Title of Study: OKLAHOMA CATHOLICISM: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF FRENCH MONASTIC FOUNDATIONS Major Field: HISTORY Abstract: Oklahoma Catholicism: the Contributions of French Monastic Foundations focuses on the transmission of French monastic culture to the United States. After suffering the closure of monasteries during the French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic Era, the Benedictines enjoyed a renaissance during the reign of King Louis- Phillipe that extended through the twentieth century. One of the primary animating features of the resurgent Benedictines was an enthusiasm for establishing new monasteries around the world in cultures very different from their own. Of these new monasteries, two opened in what is now Oklahoma: Sacred Heart Abbey and Clear Creek Abbey. How did two French monasteries end up in Oklahoma while there were no other such monasteries in the United States? In both cases, Oklahoma attracted the missionary- monks with a unique combination of a hospitable culture, a disenfranchised minority population to minister to, cheap land, and anonymity from local ecclesial authority.
    [Show full text]
  • National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (3-82) Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places received AUG I 9 1983 Inventory Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries complete applicable sections_______________ 1. Name historic Sacred Heart Mission Site and/or common Same Off street & number off SH 3 Q filar nriilyff not for publication city, town Asher /fl , vicinity of code Q4Q county Pottawatomie code 125 3. Classification Category Ownership Status Present Use district public X occupied X agriculture museum building(s) AY private X unoccupied commercial park structure both work in progress educational private residence X site Public Acquisition Accessible entertainment _X _ religious object N/Ain process yes: restricted government scientific -N/A being considered X yes: unrestricted industrial transportation no military -X_ other: Unused 4. Owner of Property name Benedictine Fathers of Sacred Heart Mission, Inc street & number St. Gregory' s Abbey city, town Shawnee H/Avjcinity of state Oklahoma 74801 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. gt t Gregory' s Abbey street & number 1900 W. MacArthur Drive city, town Shawnee state Oklahoma 74801 6. Representation in Existing Surveys title Oklahoma Comprehensive Survey has this property been determined eligible? __ yes _X no date 1981 federal __ state __ county _X_ local depository for survey records city, town state 7. Description Condition Check one Check one excellent deteriorated X unaltered X original site _ X good X ruins altered moved date fair unexposed Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance Sacred Heart Mission site is a section of rural land located approximately thirty miles south of Shawnee.
    [Show full text]