Volume 16 Issue 2 Fall 2012 A Dream Realized … We’re an Abbey!

On September 8, 1985, the feast of the Nativ- ity of Mary, we founded Santa Maria de la Vid Priory in Albuquerque’s South Valley as a first step. Late last year, with the endorse- ment of the leadership and our brothers at St. Norbert Abbey and subsequently the Abbot General of the Order and his advisors, we celebrated our independence as a canonry on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Over the past 27 years, members of the Nor- bertine Community have been involved in the Church of Santa Maria de la Vid pastoral life of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in n early August at the 2012 Norbertine General many ways. We presently have pastoral re- I Chapter, an international gathering of Norber- sponsibility for two parishes: Our Lady of the tine leaders which meets every six years, the Most Holy Rosary, a 2700-family, mainly Chapter delegates came to an important decision. Hispanic parish, and St. Augustine, a 400- They voted that Santa Maria de la Vid Priory year old church on Isleta Pueblo, where we should be raised to the status of an abbey. Father serve the Native Americans who have been Joel Garner, O.Praem., the prior for many years, settled there since 1613. In addition, we min- was designated the first abbot of Santa Maria de ister to the sick and dying in hospitals, to con- la Vid Abbey. vents of sisters, to other parishes in the local area, and to individuals and retreatants as The General Chapter of the Norbertine Order, the spiritual directors. highest legislative body in the Order, is the only one that can grant the gift of abbey status to an Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey is only the independent priory. This process was begun 27 fourth Norbertine Abbey in the United States. years ago when five Norbertine priests were mis- The other abbeys are located in Pennsylvania, sioned to New Mexico by the Community of St. California, and Wisconsin. Father Joel Gar- Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wisconsin, to found ner will be blessed as the first abbot of Santa an independent abbey which would serve the Maria de la Vid Abbey on Friday, November people of the Southwest. 9, 2012, by Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Community, which he pastors.

2012 General Chapter t. Norbert Abbey and St. Norbert College community at the General Chapter. Ken S played host to the Norbertine priests, sisters, Griesemer represented the English-speaking brothers and associates attending the Order’s lay associates and Oblate Louise Nielsen global General Chapter meeting this summer. In served on the Chapter’s Coordinating Com- fact, this was only the second time in the Order’s mittee. nine-century history that the General Chapter

was held outside of Europe. NORBERTINE COMMUNITY OF NEW MEXICO

The 2012 Norbertine General Chapter brought together some 130 abbots, priors and other repre- sentatives from Norbertine institutions from around the world. Because they come together so infrequently, there is always much business to be done, and the days were packed with prayer, meetings, debates, and formal proceedings—all rendered simultaneously in eight different lan- guages. Prior Joel Garner, O. Praem. and Fr.

Robert Campbell, O. Praem. represented our Fr. Robert, Abbot General Thomas, Abbot Joel What is an “Abbey”? By Stephen Gaertner, O. Praem.

he Norbertine Priory of Santa the governing principles and charism of munity of confreres as a sort of “spiritual T María de la Vid has become an the religious Order to which it belongs. father.” An abbot also functions as the abbey. But what is an abbey any- local ordinary for the priests and religious way? In short, for the Norbertines an The number of religious that traditionally in his charge; this distinction in authority abbey is a monastery legally desig- inhabit an abbey within the Western and status is signified by certain visible, nated and autonomous, with a com- Catholic tradition may come as a sur- long-standing religious/liturgical symbols munity of not fewer than eight reli- prise, especially for those old enough to given to the abbot upon being blessed by gious, five of whom must be priests. remember the rather brief yet often ro- the local bishop, i. e. the pectoral cross, the The leadership at the abbey is the manticized post-World War II era where abbatial ring, the mitre and the crosier. abbot and his council. Our new Nor- religious foundations of all kinds in the The abbot is generally addressed as “Father bertine abbey has 13 religious. West saw a veritable explosion of voca- Abbot.”

The conferral of abbey status necessarily bears with it a solemn responsibility for the community that receives it. The Norberti- nes that inhabit the new abbey must dis- cover afresh the roots of brotherhood and Christian charity within their daily, com- munal lives, recommit themselves to the central charism of their Order and, ulti- mately, continue to bear prophetic witness to the local church through a radical fidel- ity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Retreat & Other Offerings

Meditative Writing Retreats with Fr. Francis Dorff, O.Praem. Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. St. Norbert Abbey, Our Mother Abbey, De Pere, Wis. September 15, October 6, November 3, To begin, the notion of an autono- tions, to the point where some abbeys December 1, 2012, January 5, February 2, mous (that is, self-regulating) reli- and convents were over one hundred reli- March 2, 2013 gious community is paramount when gious strong. That being said, if one talking about an abbey. Unlike reli- were to examine the much longer history $50.00 cost per retreat day includes lunch. gious congregations such as the of Catholic religious life, one would find

Franciscans or the Dominicans that that most foundations had a permanent For a complete description of Meditative are managed under a “provincial” complement somewhere between ten and Writing Retreats, please go to our website, system, where several or even many twenty persons. Thus, we are arguably www.norbertinecommunity.org. religious houses within a given geo- witnessing today only the natural return graphical region are formally affili- to an older, and far more common, mod- ******************************** ated and governed within the corpo- est-sized religious community. Beginning in January 2013 we will again rate structure of a larger “province,” offer a series of Saturday morning presen- Orders like the Benedictines, Cister- Of course, what most separates an abbey tations at the Abbey. Our focus for the cians and the Norbertines are organ- from an independent priory is the nature coming year is “A Universal Pilgrim Peo- ized according to the older “abbey” of its superior, that is, the abbot. A word ple: Celebrating the Vision of the Second paradigm, where each abbey operates derived from the ancient Hebrew abba Vatican Council.” Details will be posted as an autonomous foundation while meaning “father,” the abbot understood on our website later this fall. still remaining bound in fidelity to within this context thus serves his com-

Page 2 NORBERTINE COMMUNITY NEWS Guadalupe Commons: A Future Addition to our Abbey By Meg Ashcroft, O. Praem. Obl.

uring the course of a year, we D host dozens of retreats for area churches and other organizations, as well as providing space for hundreds of private retreatants in our hermitages. The people who spend time here on retreat appreciate the opportunity to pray with the Norbertine Community, delight in the natural environment with its desert vistas and birdsong, and feel supported by the contemplative art and architecture of the Abbey.

We are blessed to be able to welcome build a multi-purpose building which here groups from many Christian de- will be known as Our Lady of Guadalupe We are currently in the process of nominations, Buddhist practitioners, Commons. fundraising for this building which will people of the Jewish faith, and others also be used by the Norbertines for who are seeking a place where they This new building, designed by Robert community events such as dinners on can rest, pray and be renewed to meet Habiger (who also designed the Church the Feast of St. Augustine when mem- the challenges of their daily lives. of Santa Maria de la Vid and The Nor- bertine Library) will include a large con- bers of the community are making or Given the modest size of our retreat ference room (which can be divided into celebrating the anniversaries of vows. facility, we have not been able to host two smaller rooms), a kitchen, offices, We hope to begin construction of Gua- some groups who have wanted to come restrooms, and a small conference room. dalupe Commons next January with a here on retreat. In response to these The larger conference room will be able completion date of summer 2013. needs, the long-range planning com- to accommodate over 100 people for re- mittee of the Abbey has decided to treats/presentations, and up to 96 people for dining.

Norbertine Professes Vows

ames J. Owens professed temporary vows of poverty, consecrated J celibacy, and obedience in the Norbertine Community. The vows were professed at a Eucharist on the Feast of St. Augustine, Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey in Albuquerque.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, James holds a B.A. in accounting from the Uni- versity of Notre Dame. He also earned a Master of Science degree from the University of New Orleans, and received a joint degree in law and social work from Tulane University. Before entering the community he practiced law in both Albuquerque and Taos.

As a second-year novice, Brother James spent his apostolic year at Catholic Charities of Central New Mexico tutoring Iraqi refugees and working with ESL classes. This year he will be ministering out of the

Br. James Owens at his profession of simple vows Social Justice and Respect Life office of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe as a Catholic Relief Services intern. He will be assisting the office and promoting the Rice Bowl, advocating through Catholics Confront Global Poverty, Fair Trade, and Global Solidar- ity Education. He will also be assisting parish social ministry leaders in skill development.

Brother James is the son of Martha and the late John Owens of Hollidaysburg, PA.

VOLUME 16 ISSUE 2 Page 3

NORBERTINE COMMUNITY OF Nonprofit Org. NEW MEXICO U.S. Postage PAID Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey Albuquerque,NM 5825 Coors Blvd., SW Permit No.114 Albuquerque, NM 87121-6700 Phone: 505-873-4399 Fax: 505-873-4667 Email: [email protected] www.norbertinecommunity.org

Be sure to visit our new website and let us know what you think!

Please remember us in YOUR WILL - that our work may continue…

Taize in the Desert By Br. Graham Golden, O. Praem.

new spiritual experience has found This group of young people has success- This gathering has attracted on aver- A a home in our Abbey Church. Fol- fully brought this vision to Albuquerque. age well over 100 people of diverse lowing an international Taizé Pilgrimage Alexandra Ortiz, who attended the first backgrounds to each of the three of Trust to Chicago over Memorial Day service in Albuquerque said, “I don't know prayer services and fellowship ex- Weekend, 10 young adults from the how to explain it. I felt happy and peaceful periences during the summer months. Archdiocese of Santa Fe returned to Al- and that I got to connect with God. You It will continue under the sponsor- buquerque desiring to bring a renewed have to experience it to understand.” ship of the Norbertine Community ecumenical spirit and an experience of and the initiative of the young adults contemplation, peace, and inclusion to of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe at our local church. The young seminarians least through December 2012. of our abbey had hosted these pilgrims at Page 4 the Norbertine House of Studies in Chi- Services are held on the last Friday cago and were eager to help make this of the month at 7:30pm in the Abbey vision a reality. Church of Santa Maria de la Vid. Upcoming dates are: Speaking of the impact of the pilgrimage September 28 experience Miguel Gomez noted, October 26 “Through Taizé, with peace, I have been November 30 (Advent service) able to forgive things that have bugged December 28 (Christmas service) me before. It isn’t just something you apply to your spiritual life but to your Visit everyday life.” Kevin Escobar said, “For Anna Perea, a former Baptist and self- www.norbertinecommunity.org/taize me, Taize is something very spiritual, proclaimed agnostic, said “Taizé made me for more information. very connecting with those around you, more open to spirituality. Words are hard, with God, connecting in fellowship even it is too beautiful to say. It makes you if you don't know who is praying next to crave other experiences for your soul.” you.” Page 4