Contents Page 6
Cover Story
The Abbey Banner
The Abbey Church Celebrates Fortieth Anniversary
Magazine of Saint John’s Abbey Volume 1, Issue 2 Fall 2001
Editor
by Alan Reed, OSB Abbot John Klassen, OSB, celebrates Baccalaureate Mass, May 27, 2001
Daniel Durken, OSB
Cover photo by Fran Hoefgen, OSB
Editorial and Production Assistant Margaret Wethington Arnold
Designer Pam Rolfes
Contributing Writers Margaret Wethington Arnold, Alberic Culhane, OSB, Joseph Feders, OSB, Roman Paur, OSB, Alan Reed, OSB, Francisco Schulte, OSB, William Skudlarek, OSB, Columba Stewart, OSB, Wilfred Theisen, OSB
Proofreader Dolores Schuh, CHM
Circulation Cathy Wieme Mary Gouge Francis Peters, OSB
Printer
Features 4 Monks as Players, Coaches, Chaplains and Fans by Wilfred Theisen, OSB
13 Sharing the Catholic Faith through Great Music: A Music Camp for Youth by Margaret Wethington Arnold
8 Brother Willie–Retired but Still Shuffling by Daniel Durken, OSB
14 Abbey Jubilarians
10 Monks Bring Circus to Saint John’s by Margaret Wethington Arnold 12 New Abbey Prior Appointed by Alberic Culhane, OSB
16 Sexual Trauma Institute Continues Important Role by Roman Paur, OSB 17 Awards and a New Director for The Liturgical Press by Daniel Durken, OSB
Departments
Palmer Printing
The Abbey Banner is published three times annually by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Abbey for our relatives, friends and Oblates. The Abbey Banner brings the extended family of Saint John’s Abbey together with feature stories and news of the monastery. Saint John’s Abbey, Box 2015, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321. www.saintjohnsabbey.org
3 From the Editor From the Abbot 18 Vocation News 19 Abbey Missions 21 Strengthening Foundations
22 Banner Bits 27 Spiritual Life Back Cover Calendar of Events Abbey Prayer Time
From the Editor and the Abbot
An Avalanche of Adjectives
The Genius of Small
by Daniel Durken, OSB
by Abbot John Klassen, OSB
Ten minutes after the initial issue of The Abbey Banner had been distributed to the monastery mailboxes my computer screen lit up with one twenty-point word in red:
The Gospels are filled with references to the rural environment and the natural cycle of sowing, tending and harvesting. In one situation Jesus describes the reign of God as a mustard seed which, though it is the smallest of seeds, becomes a shrub and furnishes shade for the birds of heaven. What is really going on with this parable?
STUNNING . . . Thus began this avalanche of adjectives from readers: “Marvelous! Impressive! Outstanding! An exquisite first copy . . . An attractive, delightful publication to quickly browse through and then to settle in and read with pleasure . . . Wow! . . . What beautiful photography and well written articles . . . I sat down and read it from cover to cover . . . Wonderful! Great pictures, good stories . . . The gem is the ‘centerfold’ of community members! . . . We love your new magazine. The layout is just great . . . A beautiful surprise that conveys wonderfully the spirit and environment of Saint John’s . . .”
Our best guess is satire. What would we expect Jesus to say about the reign of God? That it is like a cedar of Lebanon! Awesome! Powerful! Beautiful! Majestic! It is like a mighty oak of Minnesota!
The production staff and I thank you for expressing your appreciation of our efforts. We set a high standard with the first issue. We will do our best to maintain that quality.
The reign of God is continually coming into being in countless ways–out in the fields with the farmers who are trying to respect the good earth, out on the street with those living and working with the poor and the homeless. It emerges in a classroom where a teacher is trying to hand on a love for creation and for learning. It is nurtured by a woman who is trying to raise four kids by herself, or in a monastery where men or women pray, work, play and study each day, trying to build a community of love.
+++ Long before it was decided that “Life begins at forty,” this number was a biblical favorite. After Noah had built the ark it rained for forty days and forty nights. The Israelites spent forty years in the desert after their dramatic escape from Egypt. Jesus spent forty days in the desert before beginning his ministry. And 105 other references . . . For forty years Saint John’s has been blessed to have at the heart of our campus the Abbey Church, called by Horton Davies, professor of liturgics at Princeton University, “the best church building in the United States.” Our cover story and photos introduce you to a birthday celebration that we hope will do justice to the place that has played such a vital role in our life of worship and work. Come, join us on October 24. There will be cake. The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
No, it is like the mustard seed that grows into a shrub. Jesus seems to be saying, “If you think that the reign of God is going to be immediately recognizable by its stature or its beauty, guess again. The reign of God is more like a common scrub mustard bush.”
Sometimes when we think about change, whether in ourselves, in our community, in our world, we are overwhelmed with the enormity that seems to be required. The parable of the mustard seed teases us back to smallness, toward an awareness of immediately available resources, toward a recognition of the energy that is present within the reign of God itself.
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FEATURE
Monks as Players, Coaches, Chaplains and Fans by Wilfred Theisen, OSB
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t is late in the second quarter of the 1993 St. Olaf-Saint John’s football contest. Saint John’s already has an impressive 60-0 lead. But Cassian Osendorf, OSB, shouts from the stands, “Pour it on, John!” Father Cassian is not known for his vindictiveness or anti-ecumenical spirit. It’s just that he is still smarting from the 82-0 shellacking St. Olaf gave him and his teammates in 1932. Cassian’s passion for athletics is not atypical of a Saint John’s monk. Over the past decades a good number of monks have supported the school’s teams as players, coaches, chaplains or as vociferous fans in the stands. One finds this support as far back as 1908 when Ted [later Father Sylvester] Harter dropkicked Saint John’s “country hicks” to a victory over the “city slickers” from the College of St. Thomas. Much later, in his 90s, Sylvester was forbidden by his doctor from attending football games because of a heart condition that could not tolerate the excitement of the gridiron contests. Seventy years had not cooled his enthusiasm for his Johnnies. Other monks, like Sylvester, have joined the fray on the foot-
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A 1992 issue of Sports Illustrated featured this photo of John Gagliardi surrounded by Fathers Virgil O’Neill, OSB (l.), Vincent Tegeder, OSB (rear) and Michael Marx, OSB. photo by John Chiasson
ball field. When the great Joe Benda came from Notre Dame to Saint John’s in 1933 he was pleasantly surprised to find a scrappy, speedy fullback by the name of Joe [Father Michael] Marx, who ran the hundred yard dash in 9.8 seconds. Benda also made use of the talents of James [Father Peter] St. Hilaire and Benno [Father Paul] Marx. Unfortunately, George [Father Vincent] Tegeder, an outstanding lineman of the 1929 team, had already entered the novitiate and was unavailable. When, in 1952, a successor to Coach John McNally was to be hired, monks played a key role in choosing his successor. Fathers Dunstan Tucker, Jeremy Murphy, Adelard Thuente and Conrad Diekmann were the core of the selection committee. Chaffing under many years of defeat at the hands of Gustavus Adolphus, they asked candidate John Gagliardi, “Can you beat Gustavus?” When Gagliardi answered confidently, “Sure,” he got the job. Later he admitted he had never heard of Gustavus. Football, however, was not the
only sport that attracted talented, future monks. The 1933 basketball team had the talents of long-shot expert “Eizy” [Abbot John] Eidenschink. Joe [Father Elias] Achatz played on the ’37 baseball team and in the early ’40s “Monk” [Father Arnold] Weber excelled as a member of the college wrestling team, though still in the Preparatory School. His younger sibling, Father Otto, was also known for his prowess as a wrestler. Brother Dennis Beach, now an assistant professor of philosophy, lays claim to an undefeated wrestling season during his sophomore year at SJU. The whole truth, however, is that he won his first match of the season and then had to withdraw from wrestling because of an injury. Even as monks, members of the abbey have made significant contributions to Saint John’s athletics. Father Dunstan Tucker, remembered as Saint John’s greatest baseball coach, won the conference championship in 1969 on his 70th birthday. Other monk-coaches were Fathers Fintan Bromenshenkel [hockey], Damian Baker [tennis] and Emeric Lawrence [tennis]. The Kelly Brothers, Mark and John (not related), make significant contributions to SJU sports. Brother Mark manicures the football field and Brother John transports athletes
Michael Marx, OSB
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FEATURE
Memories of a Sportswriter
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ustin Murphy, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, pictured here with three Johnnies (John Soma, Tim Pahula and Joe Steingraeber), spent the fall of 1999 at Collegeville researching the book he has written on Coach John Gagliardi and Saint John’s University football team. Entitled The Sweet Season: A Sportswriter Rediscovers Football, Family, and a Bit of Faith at Minnesota’s St. John’s University, the book is expected to be off the press of HarperCollins Publishers later this year. photo by Paul Middlestaedt, courtesy of St. Cloud Times
from the College of Saint Benedict and SJU all over the Midwest. Chaplain monks for various teams include Fathers Don Talafous for the wrestling and rugby teams and William Schipper for the basketball team. For a number of years Father Bryan Hays has offered Mass for the team on Saturday mornings during the football season. Although he officially denies that he invokes divine assistance for victory that day, he secretly boasts of having a winning record of more than 90 percent. At the top of the list of monk boosters of athletics belongs Father Martin Schirber, former Dean of the college and co-author of Scoreboard, the history of Collegeville sports, published in 1979. He expressed his ambivalent policy of supporting the school’s athletic program in these words: “At Saint
John’s we do not give any financial aid at all to our student athletes. And the little that we do give them is not worth mentioning.” On a sunny Saturday afternoon during the new football season Saint John’s natural bowl stadium will be packed with students, parents and alumni. As the opposing team lines up to face the formidable Johnnie defensive unit, the voice of a monk-fan will be heard: “SACK ’IM!” Out of respect and obedience to their monastic mentors, Johnnie linemen see to it that the quarterback is sacked.
Otto Weber, OSB photos from Abbey Archives
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When asked for a few memories of the “football monks” of the abbey, Austin remembers Father Wilfred Theisen, who has dabbled in astrology, assuring the ‘99 squad at an early practice that the alignment of the planet Jupiter all but assured a successful season. He recalls Gagliardi plodding his weary way toward the practice field later in the season, past several monks along with two of his key players who were on crutches, saying, “You monks need to pray harder.” He thinks of the disdain and pity Father Timothy Backous, public address announcer, loaded onto the final two syllables of this amplified update: “Linhoff’s extra point is good, making the score Saint John’s twenty-one, Wisconsin-Eau Claire . . . ZEE-ROW!” He remembers when Timothy bade a packed Collegeville stadium crowd “to give a warm welcome to our friends from Pacific Lutheran College.” The ensuing ovation embodied the sportsmanship Austin so seldom sees as he covers higher grades of football, and it made his heart soar. It was soaring still when a PLC returner fielded the opening kickoff, and Brother Mark Kelly, standing next to Austin on the sidelines, bayed at the top of his lungs, “KILL ’IM!” Austin is almost sure Mark didn’t mean it.
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COVER STORY
The Abbey Church Celebrates Fortieth Anniversary A monk shows visitors where the altar will be placed in the church.
by Alan Reed, OSB
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he convergence of monastic spirituality and modern architectural design theory at Saint John’s Abbey in the post World War II years was an event that ended in a one-hundredyear building plan for the abbey and campus, and eventually in the design and construction of eleven projects at Saint John’s by the major twentieth century architect, Marcel Breuer. It was a significant moment in a long tradition of monastic communities seeking an architectural form that would encourage the praise of God and shelter the communities that lived for that goal.
A view from the west of the church under construction
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In the nineteenth and
early twentieth centuries the monks of Saint John’s continued the tradition of seeking art forms that would serve monastic goals of praise and edification. In 1929, Clement Frischauf, OSB, trained at the German abbey of Beuron, painted the apse mural in the former Abbey Church, now the Great Hall. Brother Clement chose a style of art that went against trends of romantic sentimentality that then predominated religious art forms, and he made images of lasting significance in their simplicity, reverence, spirituality and beauty. At the mid-twentieth century, the monks again looked carefully and prayerfully at their needs for new buildings that would sustain them in their search for God. Marcel Breuer was chosen for his ability to translate monastic needs into buildings that evidence their roots in Bauhaus notions of honesty, authenticity of materials and simplicity, qualities that likewise both reflect essential elements of monastic spirituality and serve liturgical and communal life. Of the buildings planned The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
COVER STORY and constructed over the next twenty-five years, the Abbey and University Church has gained the most noted reputation in the world of architectural design and church architecture. Internationally recognized architect and student of Breuer, I. M. Pei said that if the abbey were not located in a remote place, that is, not on the East Coast, it would be one of the most famous works of architecture in the twentieth century (Gatje, Robert F., Marcel Breuer: A Memoir, New York, 2000, 89). Planning for the church began in 1953 and construction lasted from May 19, 1958, to August 24, 1961. The dedication of the church is celebrated on October 24 each year. Young monks get a feel for their new church.
Breuer continued to design for the campus and his projects were published in the architectural press, recognizing the importance of his work.
Forthcoming Events to Celebrate Church and Architect
In the one-hundredth anniversary year of Marcel Breuer’s birth, the community at Saint John’s celebrates his architectural gifts to us. Architecture influences how its inhabitants lead their lives and Breuer’s work at Saint John’s demonstrates the ability of good architectural theory to encourage monastic life and spirituality.
The anniversary of a church is a remembrance of its dedication to the service of a worshiping community. Even though the Abbey Church was consecrated to worship on August 24, 1961, the yearly celebration of the consecration was moved to October 24 to coincide with the dedication of the first Abbey Church on that day in 1882. This year’s celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the new Abbey Church on October 24 will include tours of the church, Mass with the monastic community at 5:00 p.m. and a panel reminiscence at 8:00 p.m. by those involved in the planning and construction of the church.
photos from Abbey Archives
November 8, 2001: Robert F. Gatje, a Breuer associate for 23 years and author of the recent book, Marcel Breuer: A Memoir, will share personal reflections about Breuer and their involvement with Saint John’s. April 24, 2002: John Wesley Cook, president of the Henry Luce Foundation and former director of the Religion and Arts Program at Yale, will lecture on religion, art and sacred space. May 22, 2002 (Breuer’s centenary birthday): An exhibit of drawings, models and artifacts of Breuer’s architecture will open in the Alice R. Rogers and Dayton-Hudson galleries of the Saint John's Art Center. June 20-23, 2002: A three-day symposium on the work of Breuer will be held at Saint John’s. The event will include the posthumous awarding of the Colman J. Barry Award for Distinguished Contributions to Religion and Society to Breuer through his widow, Constance. The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
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FEATURE
Br. Willie’s pastel sketch by David Manahan, OSB, that appears in Sexton Commons’ “Willie’s Pub” photo by Hugh Witzmann, OSB
get dressed up much.” So a pair of oversized OshKosh B’Gosh overalls, a musty flannel shirt, a seed corn cap, and a tin sheriff’s badge were sufficient uniform for him as night watchman. Brother Willie says his job was “to make sure the night started on time and ended at the right time, because if someone doesn’t watch it, how will everyone know when it’s done?” This is where the shuffling comes in.
Brother Willie–Retired but Still Shuffling by Daniel Durken, OSB
O
fficially retired since last September, William Borgerding, OSB, still keeps shuffling. For almost three and a half decades he was the Collegeville campus’ official night watchman, affectionately known by several generations of students as “Brother Willie” or “The Night Abbot.” Last February Abbot John Klassen and members of Saint John’s Life Safety Office honored Brother Willie for his years of devoted duty. He was presented a handsome plaque which recognized his 34 years of service to the Saint John’s community.
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In mid-June, Willie reluctantly obeyed Prior Geoffrey Fecht’s order that he move from the basement room he had occupied since 1966 to St. Raphael’s Retirement Center on the second floor of the quadrangle. Admitting that he is lonesome for his familiar surroundings, he nevertheless recognizes that his new room is air-conditioned and he will no longer have to endure the stifling heat of the summer in a space that was impossible to ventilate. A pile of his old clothes was sent to the laundry for a double dose of detergent. He misses a shabby but favorite hooded jacket that was judged beyond repair. One of his high-topped shoes has a big hole across the instep. “It’s air-conditioned, too,” he remarks and adds, “When you work in the dark of night you don’t have to
Recently George Maurer, a 1988 SJU alumnus and jazz pianist, recorded a collection of original music entitled On Track: Live at the Dakota. The highlight of the collection is a piece called “The Brother Willie Shuffle,” inspired by and dedicated to one of Saint John’s favorite monks. In the album’s liner notes, Maurer describes the composition: “Actually, it’s not a real shuffle, but that is the sound you will most likely hear coming down the hallway when Brother Willie’s walking his nightly rounds. Studying late at night in the quadrangle, the sign to wrap things up was often the faint sound of Br. Willie shuffling along, pausing to knock on classroom doors he was about to secure for the night. You can hear the musical personification of this done as I reach into the piano to dampen the lowest B string (B for ‘Brother’) and rapping out a loud knocking sound with the hammer against the deadened string. That knock by Willie was my signal to either scramble or stay put, based on whether I had the time for one of Willie’s many Tales from the Monastic Crypt. I usually chose to stay put.” The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
FEATURE The “Night Abbot,” his plaque and the other abbot, John Klassen, OSB
Since his retirement Willie doesn’t work any more. “I putter,” he says. “What’s the difference? If I worked I’d get paid. But I don’t get paid for puttering.” His puttering takes place for a couple of afternoon hours in the abbey’s carpenter shop. There he salvages pieces of red oak and makes small wooden wagons, tables and chairs for children. He also makes hall trees.
photo by David Manahan, OSB
Brother Willie’s Words of Wisdom
“I don’t take orders. I take requests,” he remarks as he takes a dip of Copenhagen snuff. “I putter every day until I get tired. That’s what it means to be re-tired. I’ll be 85 this year and the computer in my head is starting to run out. I forget names, so I have to talk nice to everybody because I don’t always know who I’m talking to. As far as the future is concerned the only item on my agenda is to go to heaven.” When that happens Willie will leave behind the tribute the students of Saint John’s gave him when they named the campus pub in Sexton Commons “Brother Willie’s Pub.” Behind the bar there is a formal portrait of him done by
“You have to have faith in your faith, believe in what you believe in, put your faith into practice.”
David Manahan, OSB, for which he posed in his monastic “good-guys-really-do-wearblack” robes. George Maurer catches the significance of that well positioned portrait when he writes, “I like to think Brother Willie is still doing his job, hanging up on the wall there, good as any bouncer, with a fierce but gentle gaze that effectively scares away any student who lacks the proper ID for beer.” “The Brother Willie Shuffle” by George Maurer may be heard on the following site: http://www.gmjazz.com/ stories.html
“The last issue of The Record (SJU’s student newspaper) had articles about condoms. Why don’t they write about chastity? Isn’t this a Catholic college?” “When I meet a student from the College of Saint Benedict studying late I tell her, ‘Every Bennie has a right to be hugged. Are you going to stand up for your rights?’ And they usually do.” “I’ve made a few mistakes. Then the Lord tells me, ‘I didn’t tell you to do it that way.’” “We have to offer up our pains and our problems. If we don’t offer them up, what’s the use of living?” “It’s a privilege to mix with students because they are the life going on, the ones who carry on when the others are gone.” “On my birthday, pray for my mother. She did all the work that day. And she had to train and teach me all those years.”
Brother Willie in the carpenter shop with one of his wagons for children
“When you see me don’t say, ‘HELL-O.’ I’d rather have a HIGH-FIVE with the HIGH for heaven.”
photo by Daniel Durken, OSB
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FEATURE
Monks Bring Circus to Saint John’s by Margaret Wethington Arnold
Brothers Paul-Vincent and David Paul introduce make-up, costuming, juggling, skit and wire working at the Saint John’s Circus Camp. photo by Andra Van Kempen
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aul-Vincent Niebauer, OSB, and David Paul Lange, OSB, performers, artists, partners and Benedictine brothers, bring a little circus to Saint John’s Abbey each summer through a five-day Circus Camp for seventh through tenth graders.
Paul-Vincent Niebauer Brother Paul-Vincent, a native of Phillips, Wisconsin, always thought about a vocation in religious life but also grew up having a fascination with the circus. “I was always organizing the kids on the block during the summer to put on circuses, carnivals, puppet shows and magic shows,” he said. At the same time, PaulVincent loved the Mass Paul-Vincent Niebauer, OSB photo by David Manahan, OSB
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and loved music. His mother was the church organist and he was involved in Catholic youth organizations. He began theology studies at Saint John’s, intending to enter the diocesan seminary. He discovered, however, that he wasn’t ready for that life. He told a good friend that all he wanted to do was join the circus. His friend asked, “Why don’t you do it?” At the end of his freshman year PaulVincent transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to major in theater. Paul-Vincent was soon introduced to a shop teacher at Stevens Point High School who was starting his own circus. He joined the Franzen Brothers Circus and traveled with the show for three months. After finishing his degree, he traveled with the Franzen Brothers and other circuses for the next thirteen years, juggling, eating fire, performing clown acts and magic and always setting up and taking down. Paul-Vincent became a ringmaster. “No one loved the circus more than I did.
I was able to stand in the middle of the whole thing and have the best seat in the house.” Later he wondered where it was all going to end. “The towns were so excited to have you when it was show time. They were glad to see you for that hour or two but they didn’t want you to come early or stay late. It became unsettling.” He thought about the priesthood again and after attending a ten-day silent retreat he decided to return to Saint John’s. Once he was here PaulVincent found he was fascinated with the abbey and the Liturgy of the Hours. He decided to become a monk, began monastic studies and professed final vows in 1998. “People ask, ‘How can you go from the circus to the monastery?’” Paul-Vincent explained, “The bridge is very short and secure. Both are counter-cultural. We have all kinds of people working together and forming a common bond. In the monastery it is the search for God. The circus performers
Paul-Vincent as ringmaster
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FEATURE are there to share their gifts. Both the circus and the monastery are a lifestyle, not a nine-to-five job.” Paul-Vincent has developed the Preparatory School’s drama program by directing four major productions with fifty performances a year attended by more than 6,000. He was recently appointed the Preparatory School’s Dean of Students. It was through the school that he first started thinking about a circus camp. “As my mother says, ‘You can take the monk out of the circus but you can’t take the circus out of the monk.’”
David Paul Lange Brother David Paul has been around monks his whole life. His father, Professor John Lange, taught in the math department at Saint John’s University for forty years. However, David Paul never considered be coming a monk. While in his junior year at St. Olaf College, David Paul received a phone call from Daniel Durken, OSB, inviting him to come and spend a few days in the monastery. “There are all sorts of ways that monks find their way to the monastery and there is something to be said about a personal invitation,” said David Paul. “That is all it took.”
He professed his final vows in 1991 and received his Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the University of Southern Illinois in Edwardsville in the spring of 2001. This fall he joined the Saint John’s University art department faculty.
and the strong who are weak, Jesus is trying to get us to see the world and each other in a different way. How could I do that as an artist?”
“The monastic life and its contemplative flavor is very conducive to making art. For cenDavid Paul’s artistic turies, monasteries have background is perfect for been the centers of artishis role in the Circus tic creativity where artiCamp. “I have become sans and craftsmen have David Paul Lange, OSB more fascinated with the found a ready home. photo by David Manahan, OSB field of art that is called But there may be a teninstallation art,” said sion between the two David Paul. “The idea behind an instalbecause as artists we are caught up lation is that you are treating the entire in the appearance of things. But space as an experience, so ideally art is a in monasteries we rely less on how total experience–including sound, light, things appear and we look beyond temperature and smell.” the surface for something deeper. It makes for creative dialog.” For his thesis titled “About Face,” David Paul took an existing art gallery The Circus Camp provides an and transformed the space. He simplified opportunity for both monks to the space by adding dim lighting, coveruse their creativity and talents ing the walls and playing a sound track of through working with young a crowd whispering the Beatitudes. All people who let go of their inhibiof this was the background for 223 faces tions and are willing to see what he made out of clay and displayed in the happens. space. “About Face” is how David Paul sees the world and the people around him. “The Gospels are full of instances that turn everything around. Whether it is the first will be last and the last will be first or the weak who are strong
These are some of the 223 unique faces of Brother David Paul’s thesis exhibit, “About Face.” photo © Red Lief
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FEATURE Prior Raymond Pedrizetti, OSB photo by David Manahan, OSB
New Abbey Prior Appointed by Alberic Culhane, OSB
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n early April Raymond Pedrizetti, OSB, was appointed the prior of Saint John’s Abbey by Abbot John Klassen. As second in command after the abbot, he replaces Geoffrey Fecht, OSB, who had served in that office since 1994. The new three-year appointment began July 1.
on growth toward perfection through personal virtue, not through external legal prescriptions. He states, “My hobbies, especially discursive reading and long walks, help me keep perspective.” During the April-July transitional period, he became aware of the intricacies of priorship and the use of helpful computer programs. +++ Former Prior Geoffrey was ordained in 1988 and served as associate pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Hastings, Minnesota, and pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Freeport, Minnesota, before being named prior seven years ago.
Father Raymond has been a member of the monastic commuAmong Geoffrey’s major initiatives nity since 1953. He was ordained while in office are thoughtful programs for in 1958. Recently retired after the welfare of confreres in St. Raphael’s teaching philosophy and classical Hall, the abbey’s retirement center. He languages for nearly forty years, organized Days of Reflection, common he also served as faculty resident prayer times, golf cart tours of the campus in student housing, junior master and bi-monthly, daylong bus tours to nearby in the abbey, a chaplain for Saint and statewide sites or events of interest. He Benedict’s Monastery and was a member of sixa weekend assistant in variteen committees and ous parishes. recently chaired the During a sabbatical year development and Guest at England’s Cambridge House committees. University, he studied Ludwig Wittgenstein’s lanGeoffrey’s immediate guage philosophy and plans call for an extendDavid Hume’s moral phied visit with confreres at losophy. He also explored Holy Trinity Monastery our culture’s moral and in Fujimi, Japan. spiritual relativism. Raymond hopes to conFormer Prior Geoffrey Fecht, OSB tinue this study, focusing
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photo by David Manahan, OSB
Ephrem Hollermann, OSB, Re-elected Prioress The Benedictine women of Saint Benedict’s Monastery at St. Joseph, Minnesota, re-elected Sister Ephrem as prioress of their community on March 25, 2001. She was first elected for a six-year term in 1995 and has now been re-elected for another four-year term. Ephrem is serving as the fourteenth prioress of her community. Expressing her hope for the future, she remarked, “Our Benedictine community of women is being thrust forward by the energy and grace of God. Above all we pray to make a difference in the world by dedicated lives of prayer, work and community living.”
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FEATURE The National Catholic Youth Choir in concert in the Great Hall under the direction of Axel Theimer photo by Andra Van Kempen
Sharing the Catholic Faith through Great Music: A Music Camp for Youth by Margaret Wethington Arnold
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ehearsals. Concerts. Liturgies. Music theory. Music history. Theology. Vocation discernment. Faith sharing. Prayer. Socializing. These words, used to describe the National Catholic Youth Choir at Saint John’s, help one envision an experience that brings young people closer to God through singing classical religious music and spending time here. Fifty-one Roman Catholic students from nineteen states came together at Saint John’s June 8-24 to learn more about their faith through music and religion classes, daily prayer and worship, socializing with monks and other students and through intensive musical rehearsal and performances at liturgies and concerts. The camp, in its second year, is a life changing experience for many of the choir members.
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As a sponsored program of Saint John’s Abbey and the School of Theology•Seminary, the choir involves several members of the monastery, faculty, staff and students who participate in the sixteen-day event as instructors, counselors and administrators. The camp, which had more than ten scheduled appearances in Collegeville and around Minnesota, included a weekend trip to Atlanta on June 16 to sing three times at two Masses and one reception for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The choir, made up of 31 girls and 20 boys, was selected from a group of more than one hundred applicants this year which more than doubles the number of students who applied in the program’s first year. Students nationwide entering sophomore, junior and senior years of high school next fall are eligible to apply and are selected based on a written application, two recommendations and an audition tape.
Youth Choir founding director, Anthony Ruff, OSB. He said this year’s choir audition tapes were difficult to select from. “The audition tapes were unbelievably good. The choir was fantastic.” “Our goal is to have the students gain a greater appreciation of the music they are singing, both its artistic value and heritage, and to understand how music is used and experienced in liturgy,” said Father Anthony. Each year he hopes students gain a better understanding of their faith, liturgy, music, the Christian community and praying at a monastery during their stay at Saint John’s. Based on the flood of letters he receives after the students return home, Anthony believes choir members have had a positive experience. “I have received letters from returning students who have said they can’t wait to come back to Saint John’s and are counting the days.” For more information on the choir, visit the choir’s website at www.CatholicYouthChoir.org.
Selection of the choir members is based on potential talent more than background training, said National Catholic
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ABBEY JUBILARIANS
Monastic Professions Thirteen monks of Saint John’s Abbey celebrated significant anniversaries of their inital commitment to Benedictine life by renewing their vows on the Feast of St. Benedict, July 11.
80 YEARS
Philip Kaufman, OSB Father Philip was business manager and teacher at St. Augustine’s Monastery and College in Nassau, Bahamas, for eighteen years, served as a staff member of ecumenical, adult education and retreat programs and authored the popular book, Why You Can Disagree and Remain a Faithful Catholic.
Angelo Zankl, OSB Father Angelo, the abbey’s first centenarian and the last link with one of the founding pioneers of Saint John’s, has served as teacher of theology, dean of men, game warden, designer of the university’s seal, pastor, and chaplain to Benedictine women monastics.
75 YEARS
50 YEARS Luke Steiner, OSB
Berthold Ricker, OSB Father Berthold has been assistant pastor, prison chaplain, superior of Saint John’s mission in Mexico, pastor, prior of the abbey, and chaplain of a complex of assisted living, retirement and nursing facilities.
Godfrey Diekmann, OSB Father Godfrey spent more than six decades teaching liturgical studies and the writings of early Church Fathers plus editing Orate Fratres/Worship magazine, giving retreats, lecturing and providing leadership in liturgical renewal before, during and after the Second Vatican Council.
70 YEARS
Father Luke teaches Sacred Scripture courses at Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary, served as dean of the same school, directed the Jerusalem Study Program, and is currently the rector of Saint John’s Seminary.
John Kulas, OSB Father John teaches German classes and has chaired the Modern and Classical Languages Department of the university and served as a field director for the microfilming of ancient manuscripts for the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library at Saint John’s.
Corwin Collins, OSB Cyprian Sietz, OSB Father Cyprian has spent the majority of his years as an associate pastor and pastor of parishes in addition to serving as a World War II chaplain and a hospital chaplain.
Vincent Tegeder, OSB Father Vincent has a 44-year career as a history teacher with a special focus on the Civil War and continues his work as assistant abbey archivist and the merry messenger of the early history of Saint John’s at the corporation’s monthly administrative assembly luncheon.
Father Corwin taught religion, Spanish and social studies, coached hockey and was the dean of students at Saint John’s Preparatory School, served as the headmaster of Benilde-St. Margaret School in St. Louis Park, and is now the pastor of the Church of Seven Dolors in Albany.
Melchior Freund, OSB Father Melchior once taught mathematics and now concentrates on astronomy and is the director of the Collegeville observatory and twice daily chronicles the weather conditions at Saint John’s.
Burkard Arnheiter, OSB Father Burkard taught German and Latin at an abbey school in Canada for a few years before beginning his 41 years of pastoral ministry, 23 of which were spent as the beloved pastor of St. Catherine’s Parish in nearby Farming.
60 YEARS
Samuel Lickteig, OSB Brother Samuel has taught mathematics at Saint John’s Preparatory School, worked at St. Mary’s Mission in Red Lake, coordinated the Prep School’s Study Abroad Program at the abbey school of Melk in Austria and decorates for special events.
Edwin Stueber, OSB Father Edwin, who fills his retirement years with the study of languages and the enjoyment of classical music, served in the pastoral ministry for thirty-seven years in Minnesota and New York parishes and also as a hospital chaplain.
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ABBEY JUBILARIANS
Ordinations Eleven members of Saint John’s Abbey celebrated important anniversaries of their ordination to the priesthood this summer. They were honored during the annual community retreat in early June.
75 YEARS
Mark Schneider, OSB Father Mark taught Latin and religion at Saint John’s Preparatory School and served as the school’s chaplain before beginning 31 years of work as chaplain of several hospitals and nursing homes.
Angelo Zankl, OSB In addition to his 80th anniversary of monastic profession, Father Angelo is celebrating the 75th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Alto Butkowski, OSB
70 YEARS
Father Alto did missionary work in the Bahamas for 22 years and then served as associate pastor and pastor of various parishes in Minnesota.
Berthold Ricker, OSB In addition to his 75th anniversary of monastic profession, Father Berthold is celebrating the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
50 YEARS Florian Muggli, OSB Father Florian taught mathematics at Saint John’s University, served for 16 years as the treasurer of the Saint John’s corporation, became pastor of several parishes, notably in Hastings where he consolidated two parishes and constructed a new church, and is the present pastor of St. James Church in Jacobs Prairie.
Godfrey Diekmann, OSB In addition to his 75th anniversary of monastic profession, Father Godfrey is celebrating the 70th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Kilian McDonnell, OSB
60 YEARS
Father Kilian taught dogmatic theology at Saint John’s, founded the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research and is its president, has been a leader in the ecumenical and charismatic movements, authored a dozen books and many articles and is the poet laureate of Collegeville.
John Eidenschink, OSB Prior to his election as the seventh abbot of Saint John’s Abbey, Father John served as the secretary of Abbots Alcuin Deutsch, OSB, and Baldwin Dworschak, OSB, taught canon law at Saint John’s Seminary, was the subprior of the monastic community and the dean of the School of Theology. He was President of the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines and completed his ministry as a pastor and the chaplain of a nursing home.
Athanase Fuchs, OSB Father Athanase briefly taught at an abbey school in Canada before beginning his 56 years of ministry as associate pastor and pastor of parishes, a World War II chaplain, the superintendent of a parish high school and the organizer and promoter of financial enterprises for Native Americans.
25 YEARS Jonathan Licari, OSB Father Jonathan taught theology and canon law at Saint John’s, served as the prior of the monastic community, was the pastor of the Collegeville parish and was recently appointed the assistant pastor and eventually the pastor of Holy Name Parish, Wayzata.
photos by David Manahan, OSB
Gregory Soukup, OSB Father Gregory taught speech, English, religion and Gregorian Chant and directed plays at Saint John’s Preparatory School, served as the school’s headmaster, founded the Saint John’s University student radio station, and was the pastor and associate pastor of several parishes.
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FEATURE Phyllis Willersheidt, chair of the ISTI Board and the executive director of the Commission on Women for the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis
Sexual Trauma Institute Continues Important Role by Roman Paur, OSB
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he fourth national conference of the Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute (ISTI), entitled “Bringing Light to the Underground: Living Faith in a Sexually Traumatized Culture,” was hosted by Saint John’s June 24-26.
institute have featured such nationally renowned speakers as Saint John’s University 1966 alumnus Patrick Carnes, who is the founding inspiration of ISTI. Other participants include both victims and offenders as well as those from the service, medical and legal professions, religious leaders and the educational community.
ISTI was founded in May 1994 by Saint John’s Abbey and University in partnership with an independent national board on the initiative of Abbot Timothy Kelly, OSB, and Brother Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president of Saint John’s University.
In addition to its workshops and conferences, ISTI publishes a quarterly newsletter, The ISTI Sun, along with books and pamphlets through The Liturgical Press, an annual resource directory that includes an extensive bibliography as well as numerous audio and videotapes of conference speakers. The ISTI website www.osb.org/isti offers free relevant information and resources.
A key challenge of the board became ISTI’s focus, namely, that by listening to victims we can influence systemic change within traditions of religion and facilitate the building of healthy, safe and trustworthy communities of faith. ISTI promotes the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment through research, education and publication. Conferences of the eight-year-old
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ISTI responds to requests for information about survivor support and recovery programs, the intervention of offenders and related issues, but it does not provide direct treatment for offenders or survivors. Nor does it investigate or comment on any allegations of abuse from any source nor monitor the integrity of any person or religious institution.
Patrick Carnes, SJU ’66, vice chair of the ISTI Board. He is a pioneer in the diagnosis and treatment of addiction-related illnesses and the author of best selling books in the field of sexual and relational dysfunctions.
Denominational leaders can be reluctant to be identified too closely with the work of ISTI so as not to draw undue public attention to the problem in their arenas. Therefore, financial support for ISTI from within denominational leadership has not been forthcoming. Saint John’s Abbey and University have been steadfast in backing the initiative with direct financial outlay and the contributed services of the director. Although generous contributions have been made by individuals associated with Saint John’s and others, this courageous pioneering project welcomes and depends on significant additional outside support. The Most Reverend John F. Kinney, Bishop of the Saint Cloud Diocese and former chair of the National Council of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Sexual Abuse, has said this about the program: “I believe the work of the Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute is extremely important for the life, vitality and healing of the Church. I am deeply grateful that you are continuing to address the issue of clergy sexual misconduct for all of us.”
Roman Paur, OSB, founding executive director of ISTI photos by Hugh Witzmann, OSB
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FEATURE Covers of first issue of Orate Fratres (1929) and 75th anniversary issue of Worship (2001) photo by Hugh Witzmann, OSB
Awards and a New Director for The Liturgical Press by Daniel Durken, OSB
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he Liturgical Press completed another successful year of publishing when it received seventeen book, marketing and magazine awards at the annual convention of the Catholic Press Association in Dallas, Texas, in May.
The first place award in the category of professional books went to The Changing Face of the Priesthood by Father Donald B. Cozzens, professor of pastoral theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland. Since its publication last year this book has sold 36,000 copies. The marketing department demonstrated its creativity with three awards for direct mail promotions and the annual catalog of The Press.
The Bible Today, the bimonthly magazine that promotes “Scripture for Life and Ministry,” received the second place General Excellence Award for “stories extremely well-written.” The managing editor of the magazine is Robin Pierzina, OSB. +++
Calling this publication of The Liturgical Press “the premiere North American journal of liturgical studies,” the citation referred to the seventy-five years that “the Benedictines of Saint John’s Abbey have sought to give voice to Virgil Michel’s vision of vibrant, vital worship as the source and summit of Christian life.” Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, editor of Worship, was present to receive the honor. +++
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s of July 1, The Liturgical Press has a new director, Peter Dwyer, who becomes the first layperson to head The Press in its 75-year history. He has been its director of sales and marketing since 1989 and replaces Michael Naughton, OSB, who served as director for the past thirteen years.
A 1969 graduate of Saint John’s Preparatory School and a 1973 graduate of Saint John’s Peter Dwyer University, the new photo by David Manahan, OSB director is the son of he Notre Dame Center the deceased John for Pastoral Liturgy Dwyer who was the business manager of presented its prestigious Michael Mathis Award to Worship magazine at its annual The Liturgical Press from 1951-86. +++ convention in June.
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Michael Naughton, OSB photo by David Manahan, OSB
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ichael Naughton, OSB, began his work at The Liturgical Press as editor and associate director for four years before his appointment as director in 1988. The success and respect of Michael’s contributions are expressed in the Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on him by the Catholic Book Publishing Association at its convention in late May. The award recognized “his thirteen years of progressive leadership of The Liturgical Press, sustaining the excellence of their works of liturgy, scripture and theology, and wisely preserving Michael Glazier Books and Pueblo Books. His efforts have contributed immensely to Catholic publishing . . . .”
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VOCATION NEWS photo by Andra Van Kempen
Come and See by Joseph Feders, OSB
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Prayer of Trust and Confidence My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Thomas Merton
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n the first chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus turns to John the Baptist’s two disciples following him, and asks them, “What are you looking for?” They say to him, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He says to them, “Come and see.” I imagine many young men and women who feel called to religious life are not quite sure of what they are looking for. There are so many options, so many orders: Benedictines, Franciscans, Dominicans, and Jesuits–the list goes on and on. Father Ray Carey, a diocesan priest who developed a behavioral assessment model that is used by most religious communities to assess their potential candidates, has said, “The qualities and skills necessary for life as a Benedictine should get you kicked out of the Jesuits, and vice versa.” His point is that each religious order has its own charism and spirituality that will draw people who will flourish in that environment.
So what is a searcher to do? Most religious communities offer opportunities to visit. They say along with Jesus, “Come and see.” No amount of reading or imagining can substitute for the actual experience of living with a community. That is why nearly once a month at Saint John’s Abbey we offer Monastic Explorer Weeks for single Catholic men between the ages of 23 and 40. Monastic explorers live, pray, eat, and recreate with the monks. To learn more about these weeks and when they are offered, see our website at www.saintjohnsabbey.org.
Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers Early this spring, the Saint John’s monastic community began to pray more deliberately for vocations to the abbey and Church. The first Tuesday of our four-week prayer cycle has been set aside as “A Day of Prayer for Vocations.” In addition to special prayers during the Liturgy of the Hours, monks are invited to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament for this special intention. I would like to invite all readers to join us with their prayers for vocations to the religious life, priesthood and diaconate.
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ABBEY MISSIONS
Visitation, Graduation and Gratitude in the Bahamas by Daniel Durken, OSB
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bbot John Klassen, OSB, made his first abbatial visit to St. Augustine’s Monastery and College, Nassau, Bahamas, in mid-March. He was accompanied by Benedict Leuthner, OSB, corporate treasurer, and Michael Mullin, director of development for Saint John’s Preparatory School. During his five-day visit Abbot John met with leaders of the Archdiocese of Nassau; administrators of St. Augustine’s College (SAC); Oblates of St. Benedict; Benedictine women monastics of St. Martin’s Monastery; and the three members of the community of St. Augustine’s Monastery, namely, Prior Mel Taylor, OSB, George Wolf, OSB, and Fintan Bromenshenkel, OSB.
Michael Mullin has been appointed the liaison between Abbot John and SAC. He returned to Nassau for a three-day visit in May. His assignment is to help SAC, a seventh through twelfth grade co-educational institution of some 950 students, remain a viable and independent operation. To help achieve this goal Michael Adderley, a 1975 graduate of SAC, has been chosen to chair its Board of Regents. Mullin quickly learned why SAC is recognized as the best secondary school in the Bahamas. It is blessed with financial stability, a solid, strategic plan for the future, a resourceful and supportive governing board, a dynamic and effective administration and a top-notch faculty and staff. SAC’s athletic prowess is as traditional as the sea, sand and palm trees of these Isles of June. +++
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Abbot John on the Nassau beach discovers why “It’s Better in the Bahamas.”
n June 19 SAC graduated 116 students during the traditional commencement celebration. A variety of awards was given graduates in the eighteen academic areas of the school. Outstanding Student Awards were conferred on graduates in honor of the Sisters of Charity (the original missionaries to the Bahamas), and such memorable leaders as Fathers Prosper Meyer, OSB, and Frederic Frey, OSB, Brother Barry Gearman, OSB, and Deacon Leviticus Adderley.
Benedict Leuthner, OSB (left), and Michael Mullin (center) visit with SAC teacher Aaron Kraft (right). photo by Finian McDonald, OSB
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n March 15, SAC administrators, faculty, staff and students honored Father George Wolf with a program of poetry, music, and best wishes on the occasion of his 85th birthday. George has served the people of the Bahamas in pastoral and administrative work since his ordination in 1944. He supervised the building of a dozen schools, churches, convents and rectories throughout the Bahamas and was the business and plant manager of the monastery and school from 1972-91. Recently the congregation of the Church of St. Thomas More in Nassau was pleased to have George, their founding pastor, present for their fiftieth anniversary celebration. An eyewitness to the event reports, “The several hundred members of the parish gave George a standing ovation which went on and on until the honoree felt it was time for him and everyone else to sit down.”
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photo by Finian McDonald, OSB
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ABBEY MISSIONS Novice Naoki Yamashita, OSB
Holy Trinity Monastery Welcomes Novice; Honors Veteran Monk by William Skudlarek, OSB
December and before he left requested to be received as a candidate. He began his candidacy on January 12.
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t’s quite possible that if Abbot John Klassen had not spent the month of May in Japan last year as part of his sabbatical, Holy Trinity Monastery would not yet have its first novice. Naoki Yamashita, 26, began his novitiate on May 27, just a little more than a year after he met his first Benedictines. Prior Peter Kawamura, OSB, and Abbot John traveled together for about a week and while visiting the city of Nagasaki they stayed with a small community of Redemptorists.
Naoki is from Kagoshima, the southernmost province of the southernmost island of Kyushu. He was baptized as a child–his mother is Catholic–and credits his religious vocation to his childhood experience of serving the early morning daily Mass in a small Redemptorist church near his home. It was then, he says, that he first thought of entering religious life.
The service was held on June 23, the 56th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa, in which Neal participated as a serviceman in the US Navy. After the war, and before entering the monastery, he served in the occupation forces, working especially to help reestablish the island’s economy.
After junior high school he continued his education in a vocational school and then did construction work until his entrance into the Redemptorist novitiate. +++
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urning from the youngest to the most senior member of the community, in June our nonagenarian, Neal Lawrence, traveled to Okinawa as the guest of honor of Shigaku High School in Naha. The school wanted to express its appreciation to him for the role he played in initiating an exchange program between Okinawan students and teachers and Saint John’s University and Preparatory School.
Naoki was a novice there at the time, but was beginning to have some doubts about whether or not he wanted to make vows as a Redemptorist. When he decided to leave the novitiate towards the end of the year he called Prior Peter and Father Neal was also invited by asked if he could visit Fujimi. He Governor Keiichi Inamine to take part in spent a couple weeks here in
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a special memorial service to pray for all those who lost their lives in the Second World War, and to pray for permanent peace in the world.
Novice Naoki during his investiture William Skudlarek, OSB, holds the book. photos by Sayoko Yamashita
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STRENGTHENING FOUNDATIONS
Oblate Bobbie Osterberg
The Story of an Oblate: Meeting God at Saint John’s by Margaret Wethington Arnold
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n the baptistery of the Abbey Church on an early foggy morning Bobbie Osterberg, an energetic and engaging woman, warmly greets the visitors who enter the church and who will join her for the Benedictine Day of Prayer. At prayer, she helps her guests find the right book and right page to prepare to slowly recite the prayers and sing the hymns with the monks. As a Benedictine Oblate, Bobbie visits Saint John’s at least once a month for morning or noon prayer, Sunday Mass with her family, a day of retreat or a visit with a member of the monastic community. She often asks others from her place of work and her community of Alexandria, Minnesota, to join her for the Day of Prayer on the last Friday of each month. After she converted to Catholicism in 1995, Bobbie was hungry to continue her spiritual journey, which eventually led her to Saint John’s Abbey. “I was very curious about this retreat thing I heard that Catholics do,” she said. “In my previous church affiliation, we didn’t do retreats. My spiritual director encouraged me to call Saint John’s because they have guest rooms and offer directed retreats.” “What do you have for stressed out moms?” she asked the monk. He The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
laughed and said, “Come and we will reserve a room for you.” For the first year Bobbie, a product development director for a growing rural cellular phone company, returned every three months for a long weekend. She attended prayer, submersed herself in nature and became refreshed.
with him for a year prior to becoming an Oblate. “Father Allen assured me that becoming an Oblate is a lifelong journey,” said Bobbie. “After that I understood that a spiritual journey takes time.”
These shared experiences led Bobbie to ask Fran Hoefgen, OSB, the Abbey guest master, about the Oblate Program. She eventually met with Allen Tarlton, OSB, the oblate director, and worked
my life balanced and stable. When I pull off the highway and see the bell banner, I am more relaxed. I really feel at home here.”
As an Oblate and frequent guest of the abbey, she sees the burgeon“Each of us needs to be renewed, ing Spiritual Life Program, the refreshed, recentered and to find our Guest House project and the place of peace. My place of peace is Oblate program as perfect parts of Saint John’s,” said Bobbie. “The comthe abbey’s mission. “I have always munity allows me, encourages me, felt unconditionally welcomed here. inspires me to deepen my relationship I am convinced that one of the with Christ. It is so easy to meet God at great spiritual callings in life is the Saint John’s. I bring many friends here to call to hospitality. Each time I come experience the sense of place and and participate in the community’s peace.” prayer, I am encouraged to continue to grow in my relationship with Bobbie knew there was “something else” she was looking for on her spiritual Christ, whom I meet in many persons, many ways, and many places journey. On one of her visits to the monastery and after time spent in prayer of beauty at Saint John’s.” in a Marian Chapel and at Mass, Bobbie A busy mother, wife, professionmet a woman at dinner in the guest al, city official and volunteer, dining room who was also on retreat and Bobbie says, “The place, the shared her experiences as an Oblate of prayer, the Eucharist and the Rule St. Benedict. have become an anchor that keeps
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BANNER BITS
New Edition of Saint Benedict’s Rule: A Review by Columba Stewart, OSB
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ne of the perennial best sellers from The Liturgical Press has been a modest paperback edition of the The Rule of Saint Benedict translated by an Oblate of the abbey, Leonard J. Doyle, and first published in 1948. Twenty printings and 160,000 copies later, Doyle’s translation is surely the most widely known translation of the Rule into any modern language. Though the pocket-sized edition is still available, the editors of The Press decided to honor their 75th anniversary and Mr. Doyle’s achievement by issuing a new edition of this venerable translation. The simple elegance of the layout and typography designed by Frank Kacmarcik, OblSB, the creamy feel of the paper, and the compelling presentation of the book in a rich blue binding with ribbon marker makes this both a treasure and a bargain.
The quality of design invites the reader into the wonder of the text itself, and Doyle’s clean, memorable rendering of the original Latin speaks nobly from the page. Of the many translations of the Rule done in the last half-century, his remains for many the best. Those who can navigate the Latin text of the Rule recognize Doyle’s talent for echoing in English, a much more unruly tongue, the lapidary and epigrammatic quality of Benedict’s writing. He intended his Rule to be committed to heart and he salted his teaching with maxims and memorable phrases. Doyle’s version presents Benedict’s words in their original context as a monastic rule for a community of men. Whether used by men or women, the Rule is always specific to a particular community, and its language reflects that. Therefore monastic women have never hesitated to adapt the Rule to their circumstances by feminizing the references to “brothers” and the titles of monastic officials.
This anniversary edition includes a new introduction by David Cotter, OSB, a monk of the abbey and editor at The Press, who gives a concise and helpful overview of the major themes of the Rule. He also notes the many feminine versions of the Rule dating from the Middle Ages onward and provides pointers for their discovery. Benedict expects the abbot of the monastery to “have a treasury of knowledge from which to bring forth new things and old.” This handsome new edition of The Rule of Saint Benedict is both age-old and ever new, the perfect gift for admirers of monasticism or of fine books—and a fine treat for yourself. The Rule of Saint Benedict. Leonard J. Doyle, Translator; David W. Cotter, OSB, Editor. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 2001. Hardcover, 176 pp., $24.95.
Obituaries Benedict Nordick, OSB 1920-2001
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or those who knew Father Benedict the irony of his being pictured in a rocking chair is obvious. There were too many items to fix, too many projects to begin and complete for this energetic and creative monk to allow himself the luxury of sitting in a rocking chair for any length of time.
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Benedict’s memorabilia displayed after his death to give testimony to his life included a breviary and rosary, a cribbage board and a worn deck of cards, a charter membership card of the Handyman Club of America, a permit that allowed him to hunt and fish for free in the State of Kentucky, a book of the call signals of ham radio operators, and a collection of products from his wood carving hobby, namely, four canes, a crucifix, a wooden chalice, a letter opener and several wooden dishes.
photo from Abbey Archives
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BANNER BITS After his initial commitment to the Benedictine way of life as a brother, Benedict proved himself to be a jack-of-all-trades and the master of many. He worked in the print shop at Saint John’s and took care of the abbey bees. He served the newly established St. Augustine’s Monastery in Nassau, Bahamas, as construction engineer, plumber, electrician, goat keeper, and the carver of a large mahogany crucifix for the community cemetery. He spent a year gardening and teaching mechanical arts at the Priory and School of San Antonio Abad, Humacao, Puerto Rico. He returned to Saint John’s to work as a carpenter and blacksmith. Benedict’s missionary spirit took him to St. Maur’s Priory, an interracial community in Kentucky, where he served as farm manager, tailor and cook. His boyhood dream of becoming a priest was realized forty years after his first profession as a brother when he completed his high school, college and seminary requirements and was ordained to the priesthood. He served as weekend assistant in neighboring parishes and also as the subprior (second in command) of the Kentucky priory. When this priory was closed in 1988 he returned to Saint John’s and served as chaplain to Benedictine women monastics and a weekend parish assistant. He resumed his labor of love in the woodworking shop where he made the canes given to confreres at their golden jubilee of profession. He fashioned the crosier of Abbots Timothy Kelly and John Klassen. When his left leg was amputated due to poor circulation he jokingly turned out his own peg-leg while waiting for a prosthesis. Attracted as he was to the cross, it was altogether appropriate that this good and faithful servant died in the early hours of Good Friday, April 13. May he rest in peace! The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
in Alabama and Florida and later was that abbey’s Master of Novices. Even though Gregory transferred his monastic allegiance to St. Bernard Abbey when he became the abbot there, he returned each year to Saint John’s to renew fellowship with the older monks he had grown up with and the younger monks who had the privilege of being one of “Doc” Gregory’s students.
Gregory Roettger, OSB 1907-2001
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ou can see him in the middle of this photo of Saint John’s “Fishermen Four”–Father Gregory showing the size of the one that got away to Paschal Botz, OSB, on his right, Benjamin Stein, OSB, on his left, and Alfred Deutsch, OSB, with the moment of truth directly behind him. As much as he enjoyed fishing the waters of his hometown of Richmond, Minnesota, Gregory heard and responded to Jesus’ call to “Come after me, and I will make you a fisher of men” (Mark 1:17). He left his parents, four brothers and two sisters to attend Saint John’s Preparatory School, University and Seminary. He made his initial commitment to monastic life in 1928 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1934. After receiving his doctoral degree in church law from schools in Rome he taught moral theology, canon law and liturgy from 1939-62 to several thousand priesthood students in the Collegeville seminary. He was the seminary’s rector from 1939-50 and the dean of studies of Saint John’s School of Theology from 1950-62. Between 1962-72 Gregory’s focus was on monastic administration, for two years at St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, Illinois, and then at St. Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama. The latter community elected Gregory as their sixth abbot in 1967 and he served in that office until he reached the retirement age of 65. He then accepted pastoral assignments to parishes
Abbot Gregory died June 23. Abbot Timothy Kelly, OSB, represented Saint John’s at the funeral and burial of this beloved confrere on June 26 at St. Bernard Abbey. May he rest in peace!
Rememb ber our loved d ones who have gone to their rest: Stephen Deutsch, brother of our late Father Alfred, March 30 Gene O’Brien, Oblate, April 9 Ellenice Nathe, OSB, sister of our late Father Giles, April 20 Marilyn Schwietz, mother of our late Father Paul, May 1 Ambrose Borgerding, brother of Brother William, May 8 Thomas McDonnell, brother of Father Kilian, May 11 Wilfred Dahlheimer, brother of Father Cosmas, May 12 Alicene Tucker, OSB, sister of our late Father Dunstan, May 27 Rose Beuning, sister of our late Brother Stephen Thell, June 6 Gregor and Marie Wollmering, parents of Father Bruce, June 7 Philip McDonald, brother of Father Finian, June 26 Clarence Tegeder, brother of Father Vincent, June 27
Bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence, O Lord. 23
BANNER BITS Guests walk across the boardwalk at the dedication. photo by Fran Hoefgen, OSB
Boardwalk Bridges Monk’s Vision with God’s Creation
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he Saint John’s Arboretum board walk and a memorial plaque in memory of Paul Schwietz, OSB, were blessed on May 19. Father Paul, who died on May 4, 2000, at the age of 47, founded the arboretum. The boardwalk spans over 1,350 feet of restored wetlands, creating a continuous trail looping the Habitat Restoration Project. Under Paul’s direction, the 2,400 acres of lakes, woodlands and fields of Saint John’s were tended, studied, documented and in 1997 designated as a natural arboretum. As land manager, he planned and supervised the planting of 30,000 conifers and cared for the original
105-year-old pine plantations, gaining him the title “Padre of the Pines.” The boardwalk, which he conceived, offers visitors a chance to share Paul’s vision as they travel through various landscapes. The May celebration began with the expression of appreciation for the work of John Geissler, Environmental Education Coordinator at Saint John’s, who worked long and hard with a group of volunteers to put in place the boardwalk. The Most Reverend Roger Schwietz, OMI, Archbishop of Anchorage, Alaska, and Paul’s cousin, blessed the boardwalk and the memorial plaque.
The ceremony included a welcome to the 400 guests by Abbot John Klassen, OSB, a talk about the educational significance of the boardwalk by Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president of Saint John’s University, the recognition of contributors and volunteers by Paul’s father, Larry Schwietz, and the release of butterflies. Paul Gruchow, who teaches at Concordia College, Moorhead, and at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland, Minnesota, gave the keynote address. George Maurer and the Saint John’s Boys Choir presented musical selections.
In Memory of Father Paul Schwietz, O.S.B. “Padre of the Pines” Founding Arboretum Director 18 November 1952 4 May 2000 “There is a holiness of nature, in the intricacy of the system. Its secrets are open to all to learn, but it takes patience to develop the eyes and history necessary to see.” – Father Paul
Aerial scene of the wetlands photo by Thomas Gillespie, OSB
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BANNER BITS
Abbot Timothy Elected President of Benedictine Congregation
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bbot Timothy Kelly, OSB, ninth abbot of Saint John's Abbey, was elected President of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monasteries of Men on June 22. The election came at the conclusion of the Congregation's fortyseventh General Chapter held June 17-22 at Saint John's. As Abbot President, Timothy will serve a six-year term of office. He will function as the personal representative of the American-Cassinese Congregation in relations with other Benedictine groups and with the competent authorities in the Catholic Church. Some of his specific responsibilities include presiding at the election of an abbot of a monastery of the
Congregation, maintaining vigilance over the financial situation of monasteries, providing for the periodic visitation of such monasteries, granting dispensations and accepting the resignation of an abbot. He will maintain his office as Abbot President at Saint John's Abbey. The American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines is composed of twenty-one autonomous abbeys and ten smaller communities called priories that are dependent on larger abbeys. These monastic communities are located in the United States from Minnesota to Puerto Rico and from New Hampshire to Washington as well as in the countries of Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan.
Abbot President Timothy (rt.) and Abbot Primate Nokter Wolf, OSB, of Rome photo by Hugh Witzmann, OSB
The abbot or prior and an elected delegate from each of these communities meet every three years to discuss and act on common concerns and issues. Much of the recent meeting at Saint John’s focused on strengthening the Benedictine character of the schools these communities sponsor.
Father Bruce checks a birdhouse and holds a bluebird nest of new eggs while Brother Gregory inspects his purple martin apartments. photos by David Manahan, OSB
Saint John’s is for the Birds!
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o one knows this better than Bruce Wollmering, OSB, and Gregory Eibensteiner, OSB, the abbey’s leading ornithologists. Father Bruce has been a member of the Bluebird Recovery Committee since 1985 when he began placing nest boxes in the surround-
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ing area. His bluebird trail has grown from 11 boxes to 70 with a yearly average of 79 bluebirds and 145 tree swallows fledged. Brother Gregory’s specialty is purple martins. Three years ago he constructed a unique cluster of martin houses from gourds. Martins are aerial feeders and
need wide open spaces to sweep the air and catch bugs on the wing. So the west shore of Lake Sagatagan was ideal for the placement of this complex. The first year the houses remained empty. The second year a solitary pair moved in. This year the cluster could use a “No Vacancy” sign with all houses full.
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BANNER BITS
At Home at Saint John’s
Conferences, Camps, Colloquia Galore
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Joe Tinguely and Abbot John
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n May 27 graduating senior Joe Tinguely, a philosophy major from Hardwood, North Dakota, delivered the student commencement address about his four years at Saint John’s. Here are a few excerpts from his speech.
For the past several years, Saint John’s has not been some romantic or idyllic place—it simply has been our home. Saint John’s is just the place where we do our homework, and hang out, and shave. And the people sitting around us, well they’re the people we hang out and do our homework with. Yet few people do their homework and hang out and shave at a place like Saint John’s. At how many other places can you go to the refectory and see an old monk dressed in a habit and returning from Mass sit down and share a meal with . . . the rugby team–grass-stained and wet from their afternoon practice? That sight always made me laugh. I couldn’t help but wonder what they might be talking about. At how many other places can you go for an afternoon walk or run and literally get lost in acre upon acre of woodland and prairie, wetlands and oak savannah–
but always within earshot of the abbey bells that call you safely home at the same time they call the monks to Evening Prayer.
t’s lunch hour in the student dining room. It is nearly standing room only as groups big and small are gathered for lunch. Some are dressed in t-shirts and tennis shoes, others are dressed in business casual and nametags but all are at Saint John’s for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks for a conference, camp, meeting or reception. Whether it is the Art Nature Camp or Abbey Retreat, the Minnesota Department of Corrections or the Maple Grove Marching Band, welcome to Saint John’s in the summertime! Population: 13,100!
How much easier would life have been had I never taken one step onto this campus. How blissful would my life have been had I never met these professors, and the monks, and you–my fellow students. And how much more demanding is my life because of you–the monks, whose very lives, dedicated to spiritual and community growth, turn on its head everything for which our culture of comfort, success, individuality and convenience stands. Whose world of simplicity, spirit and community is untimely proof that there is another way to live. Now when I hear people remark that, sure, things in our society aren’t perfect, but that’s just the way life is–I can only shake my head and say: “How much easier would life be if that were true.”
Enrollment Figures for 145th Academic Year • Graduate School of Theology• Seminary – 135. • Undergraduate division of the university – 1,870 • Preparatory School – 300
Around the third week of June Minnesota’s State Flower, the Lady Slipper, can be seen blooming in one of the monastic gardens. The flowers appear on either side of a goldfish pond. photo by Hugh Witzmann, OSB
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SPIRITUAL LIFE
“Call Me Blessed”–Marian Spirituality and the Monastic Tradition by Francisco Schulte, OSB
“H
enceforth, all generations will call me blessed!” These familiar words, sung by Mary while visiting her kinswoman Elizabeth, have been chanted daily by Christians since the first century. In August we hear them proclaimed in the context of the gospel for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.
The prominence of Mary’s inspired hymn, the Magnificat, in our Benedictine monastic tradition, suggests questions like, “How might contemporary Benedictines revere the Blessed Virgin Mary? What place does Marian spirituality play in our lives?” The Second Vatican Council and subsequent directives provide Catholics with a solid exposition of balanced Marian spirituality. In 1963 the Second Vatican Council issued the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium). Chapter eight of this document consists of the Council’s principal teachings on Mary, presented in the twofold context of the role of Mary in the life of Christ and the life of the Church. Contrary to some popular impressions that Marian theology and spirituality were somehow slighted by Vatican II, the Council’s teachings are, in fact, the most extensive ever issued by a council. The Fathers deliberately emphasized those things that make Mary of Nazareth most meaningful and accessible to the faithful of our own times–a model of Christian discipleship and fidelity. For example, the Council’s approach to Mary glories in her role as a fellow disciple of all who follow her son, while also honoring her as the first to believe in The Abbey Banner Fall 2001
and follow Christ. The Council recognizes Mary as a genuine member of Christ’s Body, the Church, while honoring her as the Church’s pre-eminent member.
“Marian“ due to the nature of their liturgical emphases and scriptural lessons; they readily lend themselves to Marian devotion.
An ecumenical sensitivity must Ten years after the preside over the Catholic Church’s Council, Pope Paul VI dialogues with other Christian bodwrote a major reflection on ies regarding the Mother of God. Marian spirituality, the This is especially important in order apostolic exhortation “On to avoid the promotion of Marian the Right Ordering titles or doctrines which of Devotion to the could cause misunderstandBlessed Virgin ings and confusion among Mary.“ The pontiff Christians of other traditions. repeats the Council’s warning that two extreme Finally, anthropological studies positions regarding must inform the Church’s Marian spirituality Marian devotions. In particmust be avoided: an ular, the Church must be excessive sentimensensitive to issues involving a tality and a dismiscorrect understanding of the sive antagonism. He dignity of women and their then provides four role in Church and society. guidelines for Great care must be taken to authentic contemcommunicate images of porary Marian Mary which are in keeping Mary of the Gospels spirituality, based on with a healthy appreciation of sculpture and photo by women’s equality and human biblical, liturgical, Hugh Witzmann, OSB ecumenical and dignity, avoiding those things anthropological concerns. which could present Mary as a subservient individual. Any genuine forms of post-conciliar devotion to Mary will necessarily be rootMonastic tradition has rightly ed in biblical revelation. The varied seen in the person of the Blessed biblical presentations of Mary and of her Virgin Mary the patron and exemrole in salvation history are to be given plar of those who hear the word of absolute primacy of place in forming God, ponder it in their hearts and authentic Marian spirituality. put it into practice in their daily lives. With Christians of all generaThe Church’s liturgical prayer is to tions, we, too, have just cause to be hold primacy of place over private devo- lovingly devoted to the Virgin Mary, tions. It expresses the common faith of revere her and call her blessed. the Church over the course of the centuries. For example, certain liturgical seasons (Advent comes to mind) are deeply
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Calendar of Events August 27
Classes begin for Saint John’s Preparatory School
August 29
Classes begin for Saint John’s University and School of Theology•Seminary
September 10
Investiture of Novices at 7 p.m. Evening Prayer
September 14
Profession of First Vows at 4 p.m. Community Eucharist
September 29
100th Anniversary of First Johnnie– Tommie Football Game
October 5
Theology and Arts Conference on “A Sense-Able God” sponsored by Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary
October 16-18
Rev. Greg Boyle, SJ, receives the Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary’s “The Dignitas Humana Award”
October 23
Lecture on “A Biblical Spirituality for Priests” sponsored by the Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary
October 24
Fortieth Anniversary of the Abbey Church Dedication
October 27
Saint John’s University Family Weekend and football game against Bethel College
November 8
Lecture by Robert F. Gatje: “Remembering Marcel Breuer,” a Breuer Centenary Celebration event
Abbey Prayer Time Visitors are welcome to join the monks for daily prayers and Eucharist. Seating: choir stalls west of altar. Seating for Sunday Eucharist is in the main body of the church.
October 5-6
Saint John’s Preparatory School Oktoberfest Gasthaus
October 13
Saint John’s University Homecoming and football game against Gustavus Adolphus College
7 a.m. 12 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m.
Lecture on “A Ministry of Reconciliation and Evangelization” sponsored by Saint John’s School of Theology•Seminary
* Saturday Eucharist, 11:30 a.m. Sunday Eucharist, 10:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer Noon Prayer Daily Eucharist* Evening Prayer
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