MONKS OKMAGAZINE VOLUME 10, NUMBER 3

Publication of the Benedictine of St. Gregory’s Gaudete!REFLECTIONS FROM LAWRENCE

Sometimes people are or attend regional meetings without having to leave surprised when they learn the . Various social media make it possible just how much monks for monks to share their faith experience with others make use of modern or to help young people discern where God is calling technologies. Access to the them. Recently, we at St. Gregory’s Abbey began to use Internet, “smart” phones, “Flocknote” to share news and reflections with Oblates tablets, fitness trackers and and friends of the Abbey. other 21st century marvels is possible for many in consecrated life – including But for all the good that new technologies bring, they monks and . also can bring a dark side. All the distractions of the world can easily invade the life of a with the Monks and nuns often have been early adopters simple click of a mouse. Even seemingly innocent and inventors of new technologies. Medieval monks websites and a desire to keep-up with social media can developed time-keeping devices, agricultural become destructive to what should be a life of quiet techniques, architectural designs and educational reflection, prayer and work. The walls of the monastery tools. For instance, the monks of in and a locked cloister gate are not enough to prevent Italy, founded by St. Benedict himself, installed the such invasions of the sanctuary of monastic enclosure. first printing press in Italy in the year 1464 – just 30 years after Gutenberg introduced the printing press in To prevent unhealthy distractions, communities Germany. The monks even developed a new system of typically limit the presence of electronic media in their typesetting which allowed them to be the first in the . Monks normally do not have access to the world to print characters in Greek. They likely were Internet in their individual rooms, but rather make use thrilled to produce books without having to copy them of shared computers in a communal space. Wireless by hand! networks are rarely enabled throughout a monastic environment. Limits often are placed on access to social Even though monasteries have always made use of new media, especially for newcomers to the monastic life. technologies, the introduction of electronic tools and social media to monastic life brings unprecedented In all this, St. Benedict’s instruction on the goods of challenges. Truth be told, the subject of electronic the monastery and individual needs still provides media is a frequent topic of conversation at meetings sound wisdom. St. Benedict teaches: “It is written: of , vocation ministers and formation directors. Distribution was made to each one as he had need… Whoever needs less should thank God and not be Electronic devices and media bring great benefits. distressed, but whoever needs more should feel humble Mobile phones can provide a safety net for monks sent on because of his weakness, not self-important because of a journey, allowing them to call for help if they have car the kindness shown him. In this way all the members trouble or encounter a flight cancellation or become ill. will be at peace.” (Rule 34) Email makes it possible for monks to share information with each other, stay in touch with family members and But monks are not the only folks who face the challenges save money on postage. Access to the Internet makes of a balanced and healthy use of technology. The it possible for monks to conduct scholarly research conveniences and distractions of the information age

MonksOK is published four times per year by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey MonksOK for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. On the cover- After nearly 40 years as chaplain at Tinker AFB, Fr. Patrick McCool, O.S.B. retires his post. See story on page 4.

2- MonksOK have infiltrated almost every setting and moment of daily life. Because of this, folks of every age and state of life need to recognize the difference between the benefits and dangers of our electronic devices. REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE For instance, it was not so long ago that phone calls were forbidden during family meal time. Now it is all too common to see groups of friends, couples and even entire families sitting-down for a shared meal while disconnecting from each other to constantly check their personal mobile devices. Bowed heads in a church pew during the readings or sermon used to THANK YOU! indicate reflective listening or innocent dozing. Now bowed heads likely indicate active text messaging, Giving through IRA’s “tweeting,” or web surfing. (Yes, the homilist can tell from the pulpit!) Are you age 70 ½ or older and are required to take minimum distribution payments from your Individual Retirement More disturbingly for me are public service messages Account? Did you know that a charitable distribution from the that I have seen lately. Meant to prevent the tragedy account can satisfy the distribution without the tax liability? of children being forgotten in the back seat of a hot Contact your plan administrator and ask for a charitable car, the messages suggest that we leave something in distribution to your favorite charity be made today! the back seat that we will not forget – like our mobile phone. What does it say about a culture that tragically might forget a child in the back seat, but is not likely Life Insurance Beneficiaries to leave behind a phone? Have you updated your life insurance beneficiaries lately? Prayerfully consider adding St. Gregory’s Abbey as a The marvels of modern communication can be useful beneficiary! It is an easy way to leave a financial gift to continue and bring great benefits. But they also can become to work of the Abbey. a distraction, addiction or source of destructive behavior. What’s one to do? This wisdom of St. Benedict can guide anyone who is Gifts of Investments trying to find balance in the electronic age. We all can Investments such as Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds that ask ourselves: “Do I really need this new gadget, or have appreciated in value can be donated for the full-market should I use my limited resources in another way? Do value. Check with a licensed securities broker about how to I really need to devote this much time to my social make this type of gift. media accounts, or should I spend more of my time in visiting others, in prayer, in reading, or in taking a The donation of real estate, mineral rights and crops are walk?” another way to support the Abbey. Contact Abbot Lawrence The answer to these questions need not be an “either or for more information. – all or nothing” response. Rather, with discernment and prayer, we can find the right balance between making a good use of the marvelous tools of our age while still devoting ourselves to those things that are ageless – love of God and love for one another. We Let's stay in touch through Flocknote! might just discover that we need less technology and It's easy to sign up! Go to www.monksok.org and we will be at peace. click on "contact us" to subscribe.

If you have questions or comments about this is published four times per year by the publication, please address them to: MonksOK Publisher: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Editor: Theresa Bragg 1900 W. MacArthur Street for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. Shawnee, OK 74804 Photographers: Br. George Hubl, OSB and Theresa Bragg Phone: (405) 878-5296 E-mail: [email protected] www.monksok.com

MonksOK- 3 In 1979, Father Patrick McCool, OSB, accepted an assignment to “help out for a few weekends” at the Tinker Air Force Base Chapel. Thirty-nine years later, Father Patrick completed the assign- ment on June 3, 2018, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. He was honored during Mass at the chapel and a special reception hosted by the combined Catholic and Protestant com- munity. Over 200 well-wishers were in atten- dance.

What began in 1979 as offering Mass at the chap- el soon grew into a full ministry to the sprawl- ing Tinker community. “The military chaplains needed to be with the troops more and that took them away from the offices of the chapel,” Fr. Patrick explained. “Along with celebrating Mass, I was able to be available in the chapel center for those who stopped in for pastoral counseling or confession.”

Tinker AFB, located in Midwest City, OK, is about 25 miles west of St. Gregory’s Abbey. It is home to the 72nd Air Base Wing and the Okla- homa City Air Logistics Complex. Over 27,000 military and civilian personnel are assigned to the base, and approximately 45,000 dependents and retirees make use of services provided at Tinker. The chapel provides a wide range of ser- vices to persons of all faith backgrounds. provide a Catholic priest to assist at the chapel and Fr. Patrick served as During his nearly four decades of continuous the monk assigned to fulfill this commitment. Oftentimes Fr. Patrick was service, Fr. Patrick typically was present at the chapel five days each week, arriving around the only Catholic priest available to the Tinker Chapel because the Arch- 10:00 in the morning staying until after 2:00 in diocese for Military Services had to assign its enlisted priests to other the afternoon. On the weekends he was present locations. As Fr. Patrick observed, “Military chaplains have many duties for confessions and Mass on Saturday evening, pulling at them.” and then for Mass on Sunday mornings. During much of this time he held other demanding as- Fr. Patrick assisted at Tinker in a wide variety of ways, helping not only signments at the Abbey, including as an instruc- the Catholic chaplains, but also the many Protestant chaplains who served tor of English and librarian at St. Gregory’s Col- at Tinker during his tenure. “I enjoyed working with people both of the lege and University. Catholic and Protestant congregations, being with them in good times and difficult times,” Fr. Patrick said. As any parish priest, Fr. Patrick pre- Although he served many years at Tinker AFB, pared couples for marriage and presided at weddings, consoled grieving Fr. Patrick was not part of the military chaplain- families and buried the dead, helped to lead reconciliation services in Ad- cy corps. Rather, St. Gregory’s Abbey holds a contractual agreement with the US Air Force to vent and Lent, and stood in solidarity with military personnel and their families through times of peace and war. 4- MonksOK Fr. Patrick especially enjoyed ministry around the Easter sea- The conclusion of a pastoral assignment is truly an occa- son, “with baptisms, the conferral of Confirmation and adults sion to look back with gratitude and to remember how entering the Church.” With such a long assignment, he was the Lord has worked through you. It is never easy to able to baptize many children in the same family. He said, “I serve in the military environment, but you have perse- baptized almost all the children of the Volpe and Pierce fami- vered.” lies,” missing only a couple of the kids who were born when the families were stationed elsewhere. Reflecting on his many years of service, Fr. Patrick shared, “It is good to run into people years later who remember Abbot Lawrence presided at the Mass on June 3, at which Fr. occasions of ministry. I felt I was helping a lot of peo- Patrick was recognized for his service. During his homily, the ple.” He now enjoys a more relaxed schedule, turning Abbot said to Fr. Patrick: “on this occasion, I wish to thank you his attention more fully to his other responsibilities at the for your dedicated ministry as a priest in this very special com- Abbey, including serving as the Abbey librarian. He is al- munity at Tinker AFB. The men and women in our armed forc- ways happy to receive visits from those whom he served es, along with their families, have been comforted and strength- so faithfully at Tinker Air Force Base. ened and filled with the life of Christ through you. May you forever find great satisfaction in knowing that you have made a positive difference here through your steadfast presence and ministry!”

The Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for Military Services, sent a special message be read during the Mass. He addressed these words to Fr. Patrick: “It has come to my atten- tion that you are about to conclude almost two score years of service to the faithful at Tinker Air Force Base and I hasten to add my voice to the choir of those who thank you for unselfish and dedicated ministry…. No one will ever document all the graces received and shared through your ministry, but the lives you touched will always reflect the presence of divine graces.

MonksOK-5 The Benedictine monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey hosted their annual St. Kateri Tekakwitha Pilgrimage Day on Saturday, July 14. St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who died in 1680, is the first Native American recognized as a saint by the . Also known as the “Lily of the Mohawks,” Pope Benedict XVI canonized her on October 12, 2012. The Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Greg- ory’s said, “We are grateful to offer a novena and pilgrimage day each year in honor of St. Kateri. Not only do we want to promote awareness of this great saint, but we also want to honor all American Indian peoples.” The history of St. Gregory’s Abbey is closely bound to the Native American population of Oklahoma. “Our founders came in 1875 to serve the pastoral and educational needs of the people of Indian Territory. The pioneer monks benefit- ted from the generosity of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and other tribes that had been resettled in the Territory. We are grateful for the prayers, good will and support of Native American Peoples throughout our history,” Abbot Lawrence said. Approximately one hundred pilgrims attended the activi- ties of the day. Attendees included people of the Apache, Blackfoot, Caddo, Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Citizen Potawatomi, Comanche, Delaware, Kiowa, Lakota, Musk- ogee-Creek, Osage, Seminole and Wichita tribes. The pilgrimage day began with Mass with Abbot Lawrence presiding. Mrs. Dorothy Whitehorse DeLaune, an elder of the Kiowa tribe, offered prayer in the Kiowa language. Mr. Kevin Conerwerdy, of the Kiowa and Comanche tribes, performed a ritual “cedaring” or “smudging” cleansing cer- emony for all participants. As a child, Whitehorse-DeLaune attended St. Patrick Indi- an Mission School. The monks had founded the school in 1892 near Anadarko. She was present for the of St. Kateri in 2012 at St. Peter’s Basilica. After Mass, the congregation processed to the statue of St. Kateri Tekakwitha enshrined on the grounds of the mon- astery. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Women’s Hand Drum Group, Dewegen Kwek, drummed and sang songs in Potawatomi to honor St. Kateri. As Abbot Lawrence in- censed the statue of St. Kateri, Dewegen Kwek sang a tra- ditional “Honor Song” and the “Strong Woman Song.” To conclude the ceremonies, all participants placed white lilies around the feet of the statue.

The monks offered to all a meal in the monastic refectory that featured traditional foods served at powwows. Girls with the name Kateri received a special gift. “We were very pleased with the turn-out for our pilgrimage day. Our plan is to include a full powwow for next year’s festivities, which will be held on July 13, 2019,” Abbot Lawrence said. The pilgrimage day is held annually on the Saturday preceding July 14, the Memorial of St. Kateri Tekakwitha.

6- MonksOK St. Gregory's Abbey hosts "Days of Reflection"

The schedule is being finalized for the 2018-2019 Days of Reflection. Thank you to the participants of our inaugural season. We have taken the suggestions for upoming sessions and are assembling the next series of Days of Reflections. Upcoming Fall 2018 Sessions “Made in God’s Image; Called to Union with God” presented by Br. Damian Whalen, O.S.B. - Sept. 22 We will be taking a look at a practical approach to responding to the “universal call to contemplation.”

"Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening" presented by Fr. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B. - Oct. 27

Young men and women are seeking to understand what is their vocation in life: Marriage, Religious Life, Priesthood, Single life. But most spend a good deal of time going it alone. This day will be focused on the topic of discernment, presenting some tools and offering some suggestions for those who are seeking to hear the Lord's call.

"The Spirituality of Knitting and Crocheting" presented by Br. Damian Whalen, O.S.B. - Nov. 17

The rhythm of knitting and crocheting can move our hearts and minds to a quiet place in God's presence and to prayerful reflection. This Day of Reflection is open to yarn crafters (women and men) of all ages and levels of experience. Bring a knitting or crochet project and explore the connection between your prayer life and yarn crafting.

Spring 2019 sessions will be announced soon.

Cost is $30 per person (lunch is included) Space is limited to 40 participants To register, call the retreat office at (405) 878-5656 or email [email protected]

MonksOK-7 Reflections from the Cloister Gate by Br. Damian Whalen, O.S.B.

Keeping silence and making room for “quiet space” in our Living a life that is deeply per- daily lives will help us to develop the attentive and focused meated with a Benedictine mindset calls for an attentive awareness that is necessary for listening to others and for awareness to God’s presence, to those around us, to our en- paying attention to the environment. vironment and to our own thoughts. But we live a very noisy world, bombarded by constant stimuli that seek to sidetrack When I have learned to be silent and to listen (with the ear our attention and distract us from the important and essen- of the heart) I can stand before God, others, and the world tial. around me with a deep sense of reverence and respect. When I have learned to be silent and to listen I can also learn that I The practice of keeping silence and especially the restraint of am not the center of the universe and I can develop a realistic speech, that St. Benedict devotes a full chapter to in the Rule, view of who I am (and who I am not). In short, when I have is an indispensable component of Benedictine spirituality. It learned to be silent and reverent I can begin to be humble. is easy to see how the chatter of those around us can be ex- perienced as distracting, but what about our own chatter and For the sake of one’s spiritual growth, for the sake of living the chatter that goes on in our heads? in peace with others, for the sake of discipleship and union with God, monks have always sought to practice silence and Keeping silence and making room for “quiet space” in our monks have always found the discipline of silence a difficult daily lives will help us to develop the attentive and focused practice to maintain. The sayings that have come down to awareness that is necessary to hearing the “silent sound” of us from the early monks of the Christian era bear witness to God’s voice speaking to us in the depths of our hearts. this difficulty in the story of Abba Agathon who kept a stone in his mouth for three years in order to teach himself silence.

8- MonksOK byHelping Prior Boniface Copelin, O.S.B.those - Vocation Director to Discern Their vocation

Presenters and This past summer I spent some time at St. Mary’s Abbey attendees of in Morristown, New Jersey attending a meeting of voca- the American tion directors for the American Cassinese Congregation Cassinese/ English of monasteries and the American monasteries of the Benedictine English Benedictine Congregation. We were examining Congregation the topic of Vocation Guides or Vocation Accompani- Vocation Directors’ ment. The talks were led by Ab. meeting at St. of in who had been the former Mary’s Abbey, in Morristown, director of the Vocation office for the National Bishops’ New Jersey. Conference of England and , and Ms. Ruth Hol- gate of the St. Beuno’s Jesuit Spirituality Center in North Wales. The talks were focused on this practice which The result of this is that at St. Gregory’s we will be host- has been particularly useful in the United Kingdom. ing a Day of Reflection on the topic of discernment. It Specifically it is the application of those methods and is called: “Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening.” and techniques applied in spiritual direction to the question will held at the Abbey on Saturday the 27th of October. of ‘What is my vocation?’ and assisting the one being It will be an opportunity for young people who wish to guided to discern that to which God is calling them. actively discern their vocation to get some tools for their

tool kit and meet people involved in vocation ministry This is very different to the training which I received who would be available to assist them in their journey. from other religious vocation directors meetings. In More importantly, it will be an opportunity for them to those meetings the focus has been on the discernment possibly meet others who are making a similar spiritual of the vocation director on behalf of the community of journey with whom they might keep in touch for mutu- the suitability of the candidate for the life and the due al support along the way. diligence needed for proper scrutiny of candidates from a legal perspective. I hope that you can see the differ- If you know someone who might benefit from this ex- ence in focus because I found the change in focus quite perience please contact our retreat office at (405) 878- interesting. 5656 or email [email protected].

Abbey Purchases Library Collection Among the items auctioned from St. Gregory’s University was its library collections. The Abbey has purchased the philosophy and theology portion of the university library, consisting of approximately 13,000 volumes. The Abbey also managed to purchase a limited number of the “rare” books that were part of the university library. “It was my hope that the Abbey would be able to retain at least the philosophy and theology collection. An anonymous donor contribut- ed about $9,000 toward the $22,000 purchase price. We would not have been able to make this investment in our future without that help. This great expands and enhances our Abbey library collection” said Abbot Lawrence.

The Abbey is arranging a temporary location for the collection. The space that formally served as a student cafeteria is now serving as the Abbot Bernard Murphy, OSB, Conference Center. Temporary walls are being constructed to divide the area into three spaces: a seminar/meeting room, a bistro, and a library. “It is our intention to make the library collection accessible to the public in some way,” Abbot Lawrence said. “This will be a wonderful resource not only for the monks, but eventually also for those who wish to continue their formation or to engage in scholarly research.” Once the space is prepared, the Abbey plans to organize a “Great Book Pass,” enlisting volunteers to pass the large col- lection hand-to-hand from its current location to the conference center library. The date of the Great Book Pass will be announced on the Abbey website, Flocknote, and the Abbey Facebook page.

MonksOK- 9 News from the Abbey Chronicle

Br. George attended the 47th annual assembly organized by the Religious Brothers Confer- On July 28, 2018, the Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey ence of the United States (RBC). The confer- The monks enjoyed their annu- and their guests celebrated the Memorial of Bless- ence, held July 20-23 in Baltimore, focused on al community retreat June 3-8. ed Stanley Rother, Priest and Martyr, in the Abbey the special charism of the role of the theme of Fr. Matthew Leavy, O.S.B., Church. In the photo, Abbot Lawrence reverences “The Zealous Brother.” The principle speaker Abbot Emeritus of St. An- a relic of Blessed Stanley with incense. In the back- at the assembly was Br. John Mark Falkenhain, selm Abbey, Manchester, NH, ground is Fr. Patrick McCool, OSB, who was ordained OSB, of St. Meinrad Archabbey in . preached this year’s retreat. Fr. to priesthood with Blessed Stanley. Participants also enjoyed group discussions Matthew had served as abbot on the assembly theme and various fraternal of St. Anselm Abbey for 26 activities. As stated on the RBC website, “The years before his resignation in mission of the RBC is to promote an aware- 2012. The annual monastery Upcoming Oblate Days retreat is an opportunity for ness of the calling of Brothers in the Church the monks to be inspired by and Society. We encourage all Brothers to live October 7 - Montebello, CA reflections given by the retreat the Gospel message in a prophetic way with director, to be refreshed by ad- October 14- Shawnee, OK respect to the charisms and tradition of their ditional time spent in silence April 28- Shawnee, OK particular institute.” and prayer, and to rededicate themselves to their monastic May 5- Montebello, CA (tentative) vocation. St. Gregory's Nursing Program moves to Washington St. Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, a coeducational Catholic and Benedictine university, purchased the St. Gregory’s University nursing program lab equipment and curriculum at the recent auction of SGU personal property. Representatives of St. Martin’s flew to Oklahoma the day after the auction, rented two large moving trucks, and came to campus to pack up the contents of the nursing skills and anatomy labs in Mark Braun Hall and then make their way back to Washington.

While they were here, Br. Damian gave them a tour of the campus and told them about the development, implementation and success of the university’s nursing program. Abbot Lawrence and Br. Damian also presented them with a reproduction of a painting of St. Agatha, of nurses, that had hung in the lobby of the nursing department and a print of Benedictine Hall done by Sheryl Cozad, recently of the SGU visual arts faculty.

Dr. Jeff Crane, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Teri Woo, Director of Nursing at St. Martin’s expressed their delight at wealth of equipment and materials that they were able to acquire for the fledgling nursing program at St. Martin’s. Dr. Woo said: “I cannot express how grateful and humble we are to be able to carry on the legacy of the Saint Gregory nursing program.”

10- MonksOK DownBy Br. George Hubl andon Pr. Boniface the Copelin Monks' Farm That’s one of the problems of farming, you never know You may remember that we have a small pasture-based when or how the weather will affect the animals. Every- poultry and egg enterprise going on here. We thought one else is going strong and the new hens are coming on- you might want to know what is happening so far this line quickly. season and what to look forward to in the near future. The turkeys are doing well. They are about ready to move On the whole, the laying flock has grown over the years into their free ranging home (as soon as we get new wheels to about 80 hens. The primary variety in which we are on it) and get it into the pasture. We have 17 turkeys this raising is the Delaware breed but we have a number of year and some still need roasting pans with names on other breeds in the flock as well. (An all-white flock can them so if you or a friend wants a pasture raised, heritage be pretty boring to look at, after all.) Br. George has been variety turkey this thanksgiving, please let us know. doing some work breeding his Salmon Faverolle chickens with a good deal of success this year and new chicks have We will also be producing quite a few stewing hens this been added to the flock from other sources. fall. A stewing hen is an older hen who has past her prime laying years. These are not grocery store chickens. We did have a very bad day, though. On the 20th of They are older birds, they have more connective tissue July we officially hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit in Shawnee and are only appropriate for low and slow cooking meth- with unofficial temperatures of 112 degrees also record- ods—hence the name ‘stewing hen.' If you are trying to ed. Well, chickens live with their down-filled parkas on replicate your grandmother’s recipe for a chicken soup, and try as we might to keep them watered and give them stew, stock, or (our favorite) chicken and dumplings, you shade, we lost a few. We lost eighteen to be exact. may find that all the difference is in the bird. Again, if you want to be on the list for stewing hens when they become available, please let us know.

Abbot Lawrence attends symposium in Rome In June, Abbot Lawrence attended a symposium at the Mo- nastic Institute of the Pontifical Athenaeum of St. Anselm in Rome. The symposium was organized to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the American Trappist writer, Fr. Thomas Merton, OCSO. Around seventy persons attended the symposium which ex- plored the question of the relevance of Merton’s writings in today’s world. Abbot Lawrence observed, “The various pre- The Monks enjoyed the fruit sentations were interesting with diverse approaches to Mer- of their labor. Abbot Lawrence ton’s life and writings. I especially enjoyed the presentation made his "birthday cobbler" by Fr. Michael Casey, OCSO.” Fr. Michael is a Trappist monk using the blackberries raised at from Tarrawarra Abbey in Austrailia. He is a best-selling au- the Abbey. Brother Isidore is proud thor of many books on the Rule of St. Benedict and monastic spirituality. of his six newly hatched Red Jungle Fowl. Abbot Lawrence completed his licentiate and doctoral de- grees at the Monastic Institute in 1995. Reflecting on the Merton Symposium, he said: “It was a real treat to be back at Sant’Anselmo and to participate in this stimulating gather- ing. The presentations and discussions certainly expanded my own appreciation for Merton.”

MonksOK-11 Abbot Primate Gregory Polan Visits Abbey

Abbot Primate Gregory Plan, O.S.B., visited St. Gregory’s Abbey as Abbot Primate he serves in three primary roles. He serves to August 13-15. He had organized the “fraternal visit” after visiting promote unity among the monasteries of the worldwide Benedictine with Abbot Lawrence last February during the annual meeting of Confederation and among Benedictine nuns and sisters. the abbots of North American. His second primary role is to represent the Benedictine Abbot Primate Gregory grew up near Chicago and professed vows Confederation at the , or the Vatican. He interacts regularly as a monk of Conception Abbey in northwest Missouri in 1971. He with and serves on various commissions for the Congregation for was ordained to the priesthood in 1977. Abbot Gregory completed Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the doctoral studies in Sacred Scripture at St. Paul University in Ottawa. Congregation for Catholic Education, the Congregation for the He served as abbot of Conception Abbey until his election as Abbot Doctrine of the Faith, the Congregation for Ecumenism and Inter- Primate in September of 2016. Religious Dialogue, the Congregation for Divine Workshop, and the Vatican Secretariat of State. During his two-day visit, Abbot Gregory gave conferences to the monastic community building on the theme of “an eternal weight His third primary role is that as Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical of glory.” He built his remarks on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Athenaeum of St. Anselm, the university sponsored and largely Colossians 1:24-27, pointing to the fact that even in suffering for staffed by the monasteries of the Benedictine Confederation. the sake of Christ and the Gospel one experiences the glory that God has in store for those reborn in Christ. “We are very honored and grateful that Abbot Primate Gregory has made the time to be with us” said Abbot Lawrence. To the Oblates and other guests, Abbot Gregory explained that