The Abbey Crypt

Beneath the massive Abbey Church is the Crypt – this space is truly a symbol of Benedictine Hospitality broken up into various chapels, a gathering space, and an art gallery – all built with the intention of providing hospitality for our friends and guests. When entering the Crypt, after passing through the narthex, you enter the Guadalupe Chapel. The cottage at St. Benedict’s Abbey was once home to a small group of Benedictine Guadalupanas sisters from Mexico City, Mexico, who served as cooks and provided support to the monastic community. Jean Charlot, the artist responsible for the Abbey’s frescoes, also created a relief of St. Juan Diego that is set in the front of the altar. Flanking the crypt are a series of 16 altars – prior to Vatican II, each priest was required to celebrate a Mass individually each day (shown at right).

st. scholastica chapel

st. joseph chapel

Down the hall from the Guadalupe Chapel is the St. Scholastica Chapel, named for St. Benedict’s twin sister, founder of the women’s branch of the Benedictine order. The chapel, a gift from the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica Monastery in Atchison, features a carving of St. Scholastica that mirrors the outline of the Abbey Church (at right). The wall features a series of abstract, stained-glass windows detailing her final days: Knowing that her earthly days were coming to a close, she implored St. Benedict to stay longer during his annual visit. He refused, not wishing to be away from his own Abbey too long. She prayed that God would prevent his departure and a violent storm ensued, answering her prayer. As such, she is the patron saint against storms and rain.

Described in more detail in the fold-out, the St. Joseph Chapel is located within the portion of the Abbey that was completed in 1929 (though the space remained in the open air until the Abbey Church was built.) Dedicated to Christ’s earthly father and the lay brothers who prayed there each day prior to Vatican II, the small chapel features a unique set of the Stations of the Cross – each shows only the face of Christ as he experiences that stage of his Passion (above at right). The chapel features a striking twelve-legged altar with the Latin inscription: Hoc Facite In Meam Commemorationem – Do This in Memory of Me.

the art gallery

Once home to four of the aforementioned altars (now housed within the monastery and our apostolates) the Abbey Art Gallery rests at the base of the Abbey bell tower. This space has played host to a great number of exhibits, including two by Abbot Barnabas Senecal, since its installation in 2007, curated primarily by the late Fr. Blaine Schultz.