SAINT LOUIS ABBEY JOURNAL Volume XLVII 2007/08 Table of Contents FROM THE MONASTERY From the Calefactory: .................................................................................................................................... 3 Luke Rigby Award: ....................................................................................................................................... 10 Vocations: .................................................................................................................................................... 15 Obituaries: ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Necrology: ................................................................................................................................................... 18 FROM THE SCHOOL Headmaster Message: ................................................................................................................................... 21 Class of 2008 – College Choices: ................................................................................................................. 23 Graduation Day: .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Achievements and Awards: ........................................................................................................................... 30 Varsity Athletes Post Season Honors: ............................................................................................................ 38 The Year in Sports: ....................................................................................................................................... 39 Faculty Development: .................................................................................................................................. 40 Junior School Report: .................................................................................................................................. 41 College Counseling: ..................................................................................................................................... 42 Admission News: ......................................................................................................................................... 44 Class of 2014: .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Aim High: .................................................................................................................................................... 45 Campus Organizations: ................................................................................................................................ 46 Capital Campaign ........................................................................................................................................ 48 FROM THE ALUMNI Alumni President Message and Summary of Events: ..................................................................................... 51 FROM THE PARISH Pastor’s Message: .......................................................................................................................................... 55 Parish Committees: ...................................................................................................................................... 56 Saint Louis Abbey Calendar ................................................................................................................................. 64 Saint Louis Abbey Organizations ...................................................................................................inside back cover 1 Monastery 2 FROM THE MONASTERY novices and two regular oblates, From the Calefactory for a total of 20; the average age Abbot Thomas Frerking, OSB was 50 with six under 40. The Blessing of Growth in the We can say, then, that over Monastic Community the last 19 years our age distribu- tion has remained virtually the Over the past few years, we monks of Saint Louis Abbey have been same (and quite good), while we greatly blessed by the Lord with growth in the monastic community, have increased in numbers by 55 both in total numbers and in the numbers of young vocations. As my percent. Moreover, during this message to you in this year’s Saint Louis Abbey Journal, I should like period, the number in solemn first to share with you a report on this growth which I recently prepared vows has gone from 14 to 21, or for the Advisory Group of Saint Louis Abbey, and then the text of a an increase of 50 percent. Our homily which I gave during the Mass for our celebration this year of the rate of growth, our average age, Abbey’s patronal feast, the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and our numbers under 40, are and Mediatrix of Grace, a homily which I believe is relevant to this excellent, even outstanding, for a topic in a way which I shall explain further on. Here is the report: religious community at this time Report to the Advisory Group of in our part of the world. For Saint Louis Abbey – Spring 2008 during this same period, numbers in the English Benedictine Con- gregation (E.B.C.) have declined pretty dramatically, and the aver- Growth in Numbers age age has increased pretty dramatically, too: in 1989, the E.B.C. In the summer of 2008, the Abbey has 21 solemnly professed, numbered 533 and in 2006 numbered 379, a decrease of 154 or 29 six in temporary vows, one in his probationary year for the status of percent, while during the same period, the average age of monks regular oblate, and three postulants, due to enter the novitiate, God and nuns of the E.B.C. has increased considerably. There have been willing, in the late summer. The total is 31, the average age is a little declines in numbers and increases in average age rather similar to over 50, and the number under 40 is nine. For the first time in our those of the E.B.C. in the two large congregations of Benedictine history, the number of monks in our community has risen above 30. men’s communities which contain most of the Benedictine monas- For some comparison with previous states of this community: teries in the United States. Saint Louis, then, has had a significantly last year at this time we were 20 solemnly professed, five temporar- different history over these years from many of the Benedictine ily professed, three novices and one in his probationary year for the monasteries in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. What are we to status of regular oblate for a total of 29. The average age was a little conclude from this? over 50, and the number under 40 was nine. So, in the course of Some Blessings of our House Which May Have this year, our total numbers have increased by two, and our average Contributed to This Growth age and the number under 40 have remained the same. Obviously, we are not to conclude that we are better human In 2006, we were 19 solemnly professed, three temporarily beings or monks than the monks of any other Benedictine house, professed, and three novices for a total of 25. The average age was a obviously we are not to conclude that this blessing of growth has little over 51, and the number under 40 was seven. somehow arisen from our own powers, so that we might congratu- In 2001, when we moved into the new monastery, we were 16 late ourselves. Rather, obviously, the blessing has come from the solemnly professed, five temporarily professed, one novice, and Lord, and rather than congratulate ourselves, we owe to the Lord one regular oblate, for a total of 23. Our average age was 50, and profound and ongoing thanksgiving. Moreover, when I consider the number under 40 was six. From 2001 to 2008, then, we have these statistics, I find in myself not a temptation to boast, to think increased in total numbers by eight, our average age has remained that we can sit back on our laurels, but rather all the more grounds almost the same, and the number under 40 has increased by three. for sobriety and profound humility about our own powers, and all the more grounds for putting all our trust in the Lord. For, if such Again, in 1995, there were 18 solemnly professed, no temporar- decline in numbers, especially in numbers of younger people, can ily professed, no novices, no postulants, and one regular oblate. The occur in sister houses of ours which contain such able and such total was thus 19 – not 31, the average age was over 50, and there spiritual, yes, such holy monks and nuns, then it is all the more were only four under the age of 40, not nine. clear that our growth is not due to ourselves, but to the abundant Finally, in 1989, when we became an Abbey, the statistics were blessings of Almighty God. “Unless the Lord build the house, in as follows: 14 solemnly professed, two temporarily professed, two vain do the builders labor.” 3 At the same time, I believe that it is right to consider whether individual monk are for his growth in holiness, in service to there are any particular blessings of our house which have contrib- God and others. uted to our having some growth when around us is so much decline • A great wisdom, on the part of the founding monks and early Monastery– right because we have, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict monks, in negotiating our community through the tumultu- itself, a duty before the Lord to live in such a way