Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK From Lawrence

When the founders of our community entered 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 idealism of the 19th Century. As additional arrived, the pioneering established a , several schools, and pastoral ministry to a Catholic community that was widely dispersed throughout Indian and 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. Gregory’s Abbey take to the roads of Oklahoma each weekend in Montebello, CA. Each gathering fea- in order to minister at parishes and military bases that are in need of substitute priests or tured celebration of Mass, a discussion of chaplains. This weekend ministry is in addition to other responsibilities that the monks spirituality and Abbey news, and fellow- have during the week at St. Gregory’s Abbey and University. ship at table. This spring we received two The demand for this ministry is great, and we often receive requests as early as new oblate novices, McKinsey and nine months in advance. Between January and June of this year, monks of St. Gregory’s Juan Carlos Quiros. Two individuals made Abbey will have provided ministry in 107 weekend assignments to forty-six parishes and their final commitment as Oblates of St. four military bases! Gregory’s Abbey. They are Luann Lucas Speaking from personal experience, our weekend assistance in parishes is in and Dr. Jeffrey Johnson. Congratulations many ways a rewarding form of ministry. to our new Oblates! First of all, it is gratifying to know that we provide support to the dedicated dioc- esan clergy of Oklahoma. This makes it possible for them to be away from their parishes I am happy to report that con- in order to attend seminars, make a retreat, accept special assignments, or even to take a struction has begun on the first phase of much needed vacation. our long-term facilities improvement plan Secondly, traveling to parishes and missions around Oklahoma is an opportunity – the installation of a new elevator at the to be inspired by the varied and beautiful terrain of our State. The colorful foliage of au- monastery. In addition to the elevator, this tumn in the Cookson Hills, the ancient pink granite boulders of the Wichita Mountains, first phase will include the addition of two the open horizon and beautiful skies of the Panhandle, the pine forests of the Kiamichi rooms with private wheelchair accessible Mountains, the verdant green fields of winter wheat or their golden grain to be harvested bathrooms, to be used for in-cloister guests. at the time of Corpus Christi, a spring storm moving over the tall grass of the Osage Not only will these improvements meet prairie: these and so many other scenes testify to the grandeur and goodness of our loving immediate needs, but they also will remain God! in place when the entire current monastery Most rewarding of all, however, is the opportunity to celebrate the sacraments in is reconfigured as a retreat center. Please parishes throughout the State and to experience the many manifestations of the Church pray for the success of this first project, and in Oklahoma. We meet our brothers and sisters in rural missions, in small town parishes, that we will soon have the funds needed to in military chapels, and in the diverse neighborhoods of our large cities. We come to complete our entire facilities plan! know the wide variety of cultural groups represented in our Catholic family. Some groups journeyed here on the Trail of Tears, some came with the famous “Land Runs” of the Finally, please take the time to en- 1890s, some immigrated from Europe to seek a new beginning, some came from other joy the new design of our abbey website. states to follow jobs, some arrived as refugees from war or persecution in their native Five students from the University of Tulsa lands, some are recent immigrants who still live with uncertainty and encounter prejudice, took on this effort as their “senior capstone” and some have journeyed to the Church through the RCIA. project. We are grateful for their hard work With this rich history and diversity, the Catholic community of Oklahoma on this important task! manifests the beauty of the Body of Christ and gives witness to a living and engaging faith. Our weekend ministry gives us a privileged experience of the action of Christ in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. We are grateful for the many Peace, graces we receive through our weekend ministry and we bring our experiences back with us to the monastery and into the intercessory prayer that we offer each day as we celebrate the Divine Office! Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK

Sherman Air Force Base at Burns Flat, “shortcut”. Sometimes the coin collection Weekend Assignment Oklahoma. When I asked Father Prior how basket at the turnpike gate was given the I was to get there, hoping to be assigned total charge in nickels. This was to see if Reminiscences… a car, he said that I should take the bus. the driver could beat the automatic coin Since no one was assigned to a parish in counter and cause the alarm to sound. of Father Joachim, O.S.B. Oklahoma City on that weekend, I hitched Getting the ticket attendant to come out a ride in the car that was going to the Ft. of the booth as you were speeding away Ever since Abbot Isidore Robot, O.S.B., Sill Army Base at Lawton, Oklahoma, and got the driver extra points. founded Sacred Heart Abbey in 1876, the had them leave me off at the Oklahoma monks of Sacred Heart Abbey/St. Gregory’s City bus station. At that time weekend Although I no longer take the bus! I have Abbey who are not assigned to full-time ministry assignments were coordinated as been confronted with car trouble. Being a parish ministry, help in parishes on the much as possible. Nowadays each member of an organization such as “AAA weekend with confessions and the offering drives to his weekend assignment. But of Oklahoma” is a necessity and of great of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during the I digress. I was met at the Burns Flat benefit. (This is an unpaid advertisement) absence of the Pastor or Associate Pastor. I Bus Station and taken to the residence Cell phones are also handy. Before cell have been participating in this ministry since of the Catholic Chaplain on base. After phones I had to participate in the art my ordination to the priesthood in 1965, and the Sunday Masses and lunch, the lady of hitchhiking to the nearest phone. I have been asked to write about some of my who prepared some of the meals for the think the prayers of my mother brought experiences. Catholic Chaplain took me to the bus me protection on those occasions. I am station in Burns Flat to catch the bus to thankful for her prayers and the prayers The monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey find out Oklahoma City. From there I would take of all which have protected me and about their weekend and weekly Abbey a bus to Shawnee. The bus driver, upon other monks from the dangers of the liturgical assignments when these are posted request, would be kind enough to let any road - keeping the old car running and on the Abbey Bulletin Board, usually on monks off at the end of the road leading to preventing auto accidents. Wednesday. Early in my priestly career, the school and Abbey. Sometimes I would I checked the Abbey Bulletin Board one meet another monk at the Oklahoma I enjoy the ministry of weekend Wednesday to find that I was going to be City bus Sstation coming from his parish work. The parishioners are very assigned the next few weekends to Clinton weekend assignment and trading weekend supportive and appreciative of the monks experiences made the bus ride to Shawnee of St. Gregory’s Abbey and it is good for more enjoyable. one’s ego to be so continually affirmed. I especially enjoy driving to distant parishes During another summer I was assigned – just me and the beautiful scenery of to the parish of St. Rose of Lima at Oklahoma. The wonders of the creative Watonga, Oklahoma. Again, I hitched God never cease. The Interstates and a ride to the Oklahoma City bus station. Turnpikes allow one to travel more One of the parishioners of St. Rose of quickly, but then God’s creation becomes Lima met me at the Watonga bus station a blur. So every once in awhile I rebel and and took me to the rectory. I filled this take the back roads. assignment for a couple of months, as the pastor had gone back to Poland for a visit. At present, one of my duties is to I remember baptizing four infants that coordinate the requests from the parish summer at St. Rose of Lima. Population clergy of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma boom! Usually I did not have to take a bus City and the Diocese of Tulsa for help back to Oklahoma City from Watonga as on weekends with the availability of the one of the parishioners had at two-seater priest monks of the Abbey. I thought airplane in which he would fly me to the you might find it of interest to view our airport at Shawnee on Sunday afternoon. weekend parish assignments during the Of course I was young then and enjoyed next couple of months. Please continue the experience, especially the buzzing of your prayers for our safety on these the Abbey. And, yes, it was walking back ministerial trips and also that the saint to the Abbey from the airport, about one in charge of automobiles – St. John mile. Damascene (?) – protect us from car problems. On some weekends, I was assigned to help at Ft. Sill. On the way down to Ft. Sill See the Summer Weekend Schedule on the we usually took the H. E. Bailey Turnpike back cover of this issue. unless Fr. Joseph Murphy wanted to try a Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK Sixty Years of Priesthood

Father Matthew Joseph Brown, O.S.B., celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on March 22, 2009, with his Benedictine Community, family, friends, and former parishioners. The diamond jubilee celebration began with the celebration of Mass with Most Rev. Eusebius J. Beltran, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, as principal celebrant, Most Rev. Edward Slattery, Bishop of Tulsa, and Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey, as principal concelebrants, and priests of St. Gregory’s Abbey, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, and the Diocese of Tulsa as concelebrants. Following the Mass a reception and dinner were held to honor Father Matthew. The celebration concluded with Vespers. Father Matthew also celebrated an anniversary Mass at his home parish in Elgin. Fr. Matthew has served in the Abbey as Sub Prior, Brother Master, Abbey and College Director of Food Service, and Director of Maintenance. For eleven years Fr. Matthew was Chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters who worked in the kitchen of St. Gregory’s. Fr. Matthew was also involved in pastoral ministry in California and Oklahoma. Fr. Matthew is now enjoying “retirement” at the Abbey.

Fall Oblate Day Scheduled in all things God may be glorified” is part Abbey, contact our Director of Oblates, Fr. of the life of an Oblate of St. Benedict. Martin Lugo. He can be reached by calling The Fall Oblate gathering will be at the 405-878-5491 or by writing him at the Abbey on the 27th Sunday of Ordinary For information on becoming an Oblate Abbey. Time, October 4, 2009, beginning with of St. Benedict affiliated with St. Gregory’s registration at 10:00 a.m. in the monastery lobby. It will conclude with Solemn Vespers From The Abbey Development Office at 2:30 p.m. A helpful way to make meaningful remembrances is to give the GIFT On the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, of Prayer October 25, 2009, the California Oblates A GIFT OF PRAYER, is a thoughtful and special way to honor a will meet at St. Benedict Church, 1022 relative or friend, remember the deceased, give thanks for God's many West Cleveland, Montebello. Mass will be blessings, and celebrate a holiday or one of life's milestones: birth, bap- tism, birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement. at 3:00 p.m. followed by a dinner meeting. A GIFT OF PRAYER shows compassion, and can be particularly Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian men consoling and healing for a friend or loved one who is coping with a death. and women admitted into spiritual union and affiliation with our community here A GIFT OF PRAYER can give thanks for improved health, successful surgery, safe return, at St. Gregory’s Abbey. They share in the comfort, strength, healing and peace. spiritual life, prayers, and good works of the Benedictine community. Oblates are guided It is our hope we can assist you with our GIFT OF PRAYER. Send your requests to me at: and inspired by their spiritual association Development Office, St. Gregory's Abbey,1900 West MacArthur Street, Shawnee, OK 74804- with the monastic community. They are 2403 witnesses of Christ and the Benedictine We are thankful to those who participated in our Easter Remembrance. life to the people with whom they come We pray for you daily and ask that you pray for us. May God continue to bless you! into contact. The Benedictine motto, “That Fr. Maurus Jaeb, O.S.B.

MonksOK Volume: 1, Number 3 Check out our New Website. Publisher: Publication Team: MonksOK Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B. Fr. Charles Massoth, O.S.B. is published quarterly by the [email protected] Fr. Eugene Marshall, O.S.B. Bro. Benet Exton, O.S.B. Abbey Office of Development: Editor: Bro. George Hubl, O.S.B. 1900 West MacArthur Street, Fr. Maurus Jaeb, O.S.B. [email protected] Shawnee, OK 74804 Tel: 405.878.5470 Fax: 405. 878.5471 Contributing Writer: For a free subscription: Contact Editor Fr. Joachim Spexarth, O.S.B. MonksOK.org http://www.monksok.org/ Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK Meet the Monks: Father Adrian Vorderlandwehr, O.S.B., served as the seventh abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey. He was born in Kingfisher, OK. He made monastic profession of vows at St. Gregory’s on June 24, 1961, and was ordained to the priesthood on Aug. 19, 1967. He was elected abbot on March 14, 1979, and blessed on April 25, 1979, by Archbishop of Oklahoma City. He resigned as abbot on Oct. 15, 1988. Fr. Adrian received his bachelor’s degree from St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS, and earned a master’s degree in accounting from Oklahoma State University. He successfully passed the Oklahoma CPA qualifying exam and holds the highest score on record for the exam. Fr. Adrian has used his mastery of accounting in the service of St. Gregory’s Abbey, College and University. He served for many years as the business manager of the college and as an instructor of accounting and other business courses. A great expansion of campus facilities took place during his tenure as abbot with the construction of the Mabee- Gerrer Museum of Art, the Mabee Aerobic Center, the Noble Aquatic Recreation Center, the W.P. Wood Fr. Adrian Field House, and the Charham Therapeutic Riding Arena. Fr. Adrian is currently the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish near Konawa, OK, and of St. Mary Parish in Wanette, OK. He also serves as a chaplain at two state prisons near Lexington, OK. In addition to his parish ministry, Fr. Adrian serves as the Abbey business manager. He is a member of the St. Gregory’s University Board of Directors, and is treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the St. Gregory’s University Endowment Foundation. In his spare time he enjoys fishing.

Brother Benet Exton, O.S.B., was born in Cushing, OK. He entered the novitiate at St. Gregory’s Abbey in 1985, after completing his associate’s degree at St. Gregory’s College in 1984. He made his monastic profession of vows on July 11, 1986. Br. Benet completed his bachelor’s degree at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS, and his master’s degree in library science from the University of Oklahoma. Br. Benet provides many roles of service in the monastery, including sacristan, archivist, librarian, and assistant guest master. He was installed into the ministries of Reader and Acolyte in 2007. He serves as the cataloging librarian for the St. Gregory’s University Library. He reviews books for the and other newspapers, journals and sites. Some of his hobbies are watching television, reading books on the Civil War and fantasy stories, collecting flags, music. He is a fan of science fiction movies and shows. Brother is a member of the Abbey Pubication Committee. Br. Benet

Fr. Timothy Murphy, O.S.B. , a monk of Sacred Heart Abbey, later known as St. Sh a r e In Ou r Missio n Gregory’s Abbey, was the first U.S. Army Please remember us when revising or Chaplain of any denomination to die in making your Will. The legal name is World War I. After six months of service St. Gregory’s Abbey Benefit Trust, Fr. Timothy died at the Fort Sill Army St.Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 West Mac- Base, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on February Arthur, Shawnee, 74804-2403. For 23, 1918. Fr. Timothy Murphy, O.S.B., more information call our Abbey is buried in the Sacred Heart Abbey Development Director, Fr. Maurus at Cemetery (near Konawa, Oklahoma). 405-878-5470. His name is inscribed on a bronze plaque at the Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D. C. SAINT GREGORY'S ABBEY A Roman Catholic community of Before entering the Service, Fr. Timothy men who seek God together was headmaster and professor at Sacred through a life inspired by the Heart College, (near Konawa, Oklahoma), monastic ideal embodied in the pastor of St. John’s Church, McAlester, Rule of St. Benedict. Oklahoma, and was very active in the planning and construction of and was the OUR CORE VALUES ARE: first Rector of the new Catholic University Reverence, Heritage and Home, of Oklahoma (now St. Gregory's Common Life, Witness, Chaplain Timothy Murphy University), Shawnee, Oklahoma. Simplicity of Life, Hospitality and Service, Work and Commitment. O.S.B. Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK Abbey Chronicle Summer Retreat Program at The Abbey Feburary 2009 St. Gregory’s Abbey will continue its tradition of offering summer retreats to the public. Three retreats will be offered this year: June 26-28, July 10-12, and July 31-August 2. 7. Fr. Charles Buckley, O.S.B., traveled to the Catholic Student Union Center at The first retreat, A Pilgrimage with St. Paul, will be an ideal way to bring to a close the the University of , Austin, Texas, to Jubilee Year of St. Paul. Planned for June 26-28, the retreat will focus on five principal promote vocations to the Benedictine Way themes from the writings of St. Paul: pilgrimage in following Christ, baptism into of Life at St. Gregory’s Abbey. the death and resurrection of Christ, obedience in imitation of Christ, sharing in the sacraments of Christ, and being the Body of Christ. Conferences will be presented jointly 12. Abbot Lawrence attended the annual meeting of at St. Bernard’s by James Shelton, Ph.D., and monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey. Dr. Shelton is a noted Abbey in Cullman Alabama. author and professor of New Testament and Early Christian literature, teaching at Oral Roberts University and the Pastoral Studies Institute of the Diocese of Tulsa. He became 18. Fr. Martin Lugo, Br Dominic Roman Catholic in 1996. Several members of the monastic community will contribute to Ramirez and Brother Novices Gabriel the retreat conferences by providing prayerful reflections on selected texts in the tradition Powell and Simeon Spitz attended the of lectio divina, or “sacred reading". Participants will experience the compatibility of the funeral of Marilyn Jean Tully at Our Mother study of Scripture and prayer. of Sorrows Church in Apache, OK. She was a benefactress of St. Gregory’s University. The second retreat, St. Benedict and the Way of Humility, will be presented July 10-12 by 20. The book now being read in the Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB, Abbot of St. Gregory’s Abbey. Abbot Lawrence the monastic refectory is ABRAHAM will explore the twelve steps of humility listed in the seventh chapter of The Rule of St. LINCOLN by George McGovern. Benedict. He will propose how these steps might be embraced by persons of all walks of life in our contemporary culture. The retreat will coincide with the Feast of St. Benedict 21. Abbot Lawrence began to hold individual conferences with each monk in on July 11. preparation for Lent. The third retreat, Let Your Life Speak, will be led by Fr. Charles Buckley, OSB, on July 22. Fr.Paul Zahler left for India to help 31-August 2, 2009. Fr. Charles will use the book of this title by Parker Palmer. In this establish a unit for working with children book, Palmer reflects on vocation, the life-long search to live out our lives in the ways of and adults having developmental disabilities God. Retreatants will be guided in their own reflection on their pathway to God. and delays. He will return March 16. March 2009 Registration for retreats begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening in the St. Gregory’s 12. University Residence Hall Lobby. Opening session is usually at 8 p.m. Retreats end with Br. Damian Whalen was the lunch on Sunday. Participants are also welcome to join with the monks in their common facilitator for a strategic planning retreat prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist. to assist the Shawnee mayor and city commissioners in future plans for the city of Shawnee. Participants will stay in private rooms in the college residence hall, but will share bathroom facilities with one or more other participants. All linens are provided. Meals will be in the 14. Prior Louis VanderLey and Fr. monastic dining room. Participants will be able to use the swimming pool, the aerobic Nicholas Ast assisted with a Confirmation center and the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art during their free time. Retreat for the youth of St. Philip Neri Parish in Midwest City. The retreat was Cost for the retreats is $80 per person in advance and $85 for those not pre-registered. held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Camp in This fee includes lodging, meals, and registration fee. The cost for those not needing Wellston. lodging is $50. An offering is taken up for the retreat master. Special payment plans may 15. Abbot Lawrence and Oblate be arranged. Director Fr. Martin Lugo attended the semi- annual meeting of Oblates at St. Benedict Please reserve a space in advance so that we can prepare for your arrival. For more information, call Church in Montebello, California. the Abbey Office at 405-878-5491, or send e-mail inquiries to:[email protected] u.

22. A festive celebration was held 13. The monks were the luncheon 24. One hundred and nine guests in honor of Fr. Matthew Brown’s 60th guests at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Wagie. enjoyed the Abbot's Table and wine auction anniversary of ordination. See picture and Dr. Wagie is the president of St. Gregory’s held for the Abbey and the University. This details on page 3 of this issue. University. is held every other year. April 2009 19. The Spring Oblate Day at the 30. Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran, 3. Br. Isidore particapated in the annual Abbey begain with Mass at 10:30 AM and Archbishop of Oklahoma City, confirmed Medieval Fair at Norman. The St. Gregory's concluded with Solem Vespers at 2:30 PM. four SGU students at a 4:30 PM Mass in the University booth included literature about Over fifty Oblates and Guests attended. Abbey Church. St. Gregory's Abbey Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK

St. Katharine was of great help to the Benedictine monks at Sacred Heart Abbey and College, St. Gregory’s First including through her contribution, the rebuilding of Sacred Heart after the disastrous fire of Canonized Benefactor: January 15, 1901. This fire destroyed all of the wooden buildings except the French Benedictine Sisters’ Convent and some outbuildings. The monks rebuilt their monastery and schools with St. Katharine’s financial help. Although the buildings were not on the same grand scale as the previous SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL buildings, the monks had learned to build the monastery out of brick rather than wood! (1858-1955) St. Katharine made a visit to Oklahoma Territory in 1902, and one of her stops around October Saint Katharine Drexel was born November 2nd was at Sacred Heart. She was impressed by the simplicity of the place. In her journal she wrote 26, 1858, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to about her visit to Sacred Heart, “This is the mission that has, of all we have visited, the poorest Francis Anthony (1824-1885) and Hannah J. accommodations. I suppose our Lord must love it the very best.” Langstroth Drexel (d. 1858). When her mother died her father married Emma Bouvier (d. Around 1893, Benedictine missionary Fr. Felix DeGrasse, O.S.B., established, with St. Katharine’s 1883) on April 10, 1860. assistance, the first school of any kind in the African-American town of Langston, Oklahoma. He was able to secure three Benedictine sisters from St. Joseph’s Convent in Guthrie to teach at Her family had been very successful in banking the school. St. Katharine had earlier helped to finance a parish and school in Guthrie which the and St. Katharine and her sisters inherited Benedictine sisters staffed. It was named St. Catherine’s in honor of her patron. She visited both a large sum of money when their parents foundations during her trip to Oklahoma in 1902. The school at Langston lasted for about ten years. died. Eventually, St. Katharine was the sole The residents of Langston eventually founded a public school and later a college, known today as surviving family member and wanted to use her Langston University. inheritance to help to African- Americans and American Indians. In addition to his work in Guthrie and Langston, Fr. Felix, who later became Abbot of Sacred Heart, founded a parish and school in 1887 at Pawhuska among the Osage Tribe. St. Katharine was While on a visit to Rome, she was encouraged instrumental in persuading the superiors of the Franciscan Sisters of Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania, to by Pope Leo XIII to found a religious order to send sisters there to staff the school for girls. This mission also was devastated by fire on February 14, help these two groups. She founded the Sisters 1889. St. Katherine once again came to the rescue with funds to rebuild. In addition to the school in of the Blessed Sacrament. Eventually she Pawhuska, Fr. Felix founded a school for boys near Hominy Creek. The saintly benefactress helped helped to establish and to staff many schools to fund this mission as well. This school continued to grow and prosper for many years. and parishes for Blacks and Indians throughout the Southern and Western United States. She In 1888, St. Katharine helped to fund another Benedictine mission at St. Michael’s Mission in also founded a college for African Americans Lehigh, Oklahoma. This mission had a day school, church, farm, and rectory. Unfortunately the in New Orleans, known as Xavier University. foundation was not successful and was discontinued.

St. Katharine helped with financial support Another member of our community, Fr. Vincent Joly, O.S.B., founded yet another Indian mission for several parishes and schools for Blacks school in Purcell, Oklahoma. This was some time after 1887. St. Katharine funded this school as and Indians in present-day Oklahoma. Many well, requesting only that it be named St. Elizabeth’s. Several tribes, including the and of these were founded and operated by the Kickapoo, sent their daughters to this school. One student joined the Franciscan Sisters, becoming Benedictine Monks of Sacred Heart Abbey. Sister Olivia, and went on to serve in the Oklahoma missions for several years.

Early on, St. Katharine helped Fr. Isidore St. Katharine noted that all of these Benedictine missions and schools were poor and had little Ricklin, O.S.B., with St. Patrick’s Mission, equipment, but they were kept clean and neat, and that the students were well disciplined. She which he had founded in Anadarko, OK, continued to fund American Indian and African-American schools and parishes during her life in 1892. She donated $2,500.00 to start the time. Unfortunately, when she died on March 3, 1955, the Drexel fortune was no longer available mission. She continued to send funds for to the religious order that she had founded, or to any of her charities, due to a clause in her father’s several years making it possible for the Mission Will which stipulated support of other particular charities and institutions upon the death of his to expand. In fact, she sent money to rebuild the daughters. For this reason, her various charities and projects from then on have depended on her mission after a devastating fire on September prayers. Katharine Drexel’s cause for sainthood was started in 1966. She was declared venerable by 26, 1909. We treasure the collection of short Pope John Paul II on January 26, 1987, and was beatified by him on November 20, 1988. He later notes from St. Katharine to Fr. Isidore that we canonized St. Katharine on October 1, 2000, making her the second American born saint to be retain in the Abbey Archives. canonized. This also makes her St. Gregory’s first canonized benefactor!

Several tribes near Anadarko sent their sons and daughters to St. Patrick Mission. Some of Bibliography. the tribes were the Caddo, the Delaware, the Comanche, the Kiowa, and the Apache. Among Drexel, Katharine. Journal. Bensalem, Penn.: Archives of the Sisters of the the students at St. Patrick’s Mission were the Blessed Sacrament. famous American Indian artists known as the Duffy, Consuela Marie. Katharine Drexel: A Biography. Philadelphia: The Peter Kiowa Five, Geronimo’s daughter Eva, as well as Reilly Co., 1966. other relatives of Geronimo and other Apache leaders. Monks from Sacred Heart Abbey Murphy, Joseph F. Tenacious Monks : The Oklahoma Benedictines, 1875-1975: helped Fr. Isidore as did several Franciscan Indian Missionaries, Catholic Founders, Educators, Agriculturists. Shawnee, Sisters from Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania. Okla.: Benedictine Color Press, 1974. Vol. 1, No. 3 MonksOK St. Gr e g o r y ’s Ab b e y Non-Profit 1900 West MacArthur Street Organization Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804 U.S. Postage PAID Return Service Requested OKC, OK PERMIT NO 2000

Saint Gregory the Great PRAY FOR US

Summer Weekend Schedule June 6-7, 2009 June 13-14, 2009 June 20-21, 2009 Fr. Louis Abbey Mass Abt. Lawrence Abbey Mass Fr. Louis Abbey Mass Fr. Joachim Elk City Fr. Louis Norman: St. Thomas More Fr. Joachim Midwest City Fr. Paul Seminole Fr. Joachim Hugo Fr. Eugene Prague Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Martin Altus AFB Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Maurus Okemah Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Charles B. McAlester Fr. Charles B. Okarche Fr. Charles B. OKC: St. James the Greater Fr. Nicholas Cushing Fr. Manuel Altus AFB and Ft. Sill Fr. Nicholas Bartlesville: St. John Fr. Martin Altus AFB Fr. Manuel Ft. Sill June 27-28, 2009 July 4-5, 2009 Fr. Louis Abbey Mass Fr. Eugene Abbey Mass Fr. Joachim Ft. Sill Fr. Louis Perry Fr. Martin Altus AFB Fr. Joachim Del City Fr. Eugene Yukon Fr. Martin Altus AFB Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Charles B. Elk City Fr. Charles B. Tulsa: St. Monica Fr. Nicholas Stillwater: St. Francis Xavier Fr. Nicholas Yukon Fr. Manuel Elk City Fr. Manuel Ft. Sill July 11-12, 2009 July 18-19, 2009 July 25-26, 2009 Abt. Lawrence Abbey Mass Fr. Eugene Abbey Mass Fr. Maurus Abbey Mass Fr. Louis Elgin Abt. Lawrence Guthrie Abt. Lawrence Henryetta Fr. Joachim Lawton: Holy Family Fr. Joachim Hennessey Fr. Joachim Tulsa: Resurrection Fr. Martin Altus AFB Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Patrick Tinker AFB Fr. Nicholas Edmond: St. John Baptist Fr. Manuel Altus AFB and Ft. Sill Fr. Charles B. Poteau Fr. Manuel Altus AFB and Ft. Sill Fr. Nicholas Tulsa: Sts. Peter and Paul Fr. Nicholas Durant Fr. Eugene Prague Fr. Manuel Perry Fr. Charles B. Sand Springs Check the Abbey's website to see Abbey Horarium: http://www.monksok.org