Abbey News Monastic HapPenings

by Boniface V. Lazzari, O.S.B.

The world turns, and a year has passed since I last "took pen in hand" to write a few lines for this space. Much for the good and for the bad has occurred during that year. Within the monastic community, our novices have professed vows and are engaged in work in both monastery and school; in our university community, we have a new president and are transitioning to a new style of leadership. In February 2022, ABBOT MARION NGUYEN received the first vows of BROTHERS THERIE PASCUA and SIMEON GOODSON Both are members of the Abbey Schola, under the direction of BROTHER AELRED WOODARD , choirmaster. Both are studying, as well as doing work in the University. BROTHER THERIE is assisting in the Office of Admissions, and BROTHER SIMEON is assisting in the area of Student Services.

The monastic community was an active participant in the inauguration of our President Jennifer Bonds-Raacke on October 8 th . ABBOT MARION was principal celebrant at the Mass of Inauguration. ABBOT EMERITUS NEAL ROTH , FATHER KILIAN MALVEY , FATHER PAUL WECKERT , FATHER PETER TYNAN , BROTHER MARK BONNEVILLE and BROTHER PASCAL GREENE all played liturgical roles. The Abbey Schola, under the direction of BROTHER AELRED sang "Shall We Gather At the River", accompanied by a guitar. At the investure following, Abbot marion received the new President's profession of faith and presented her with special copy of the "Rule of Benedict". BROTHER RAMON NEWELL , long-time Abbey and University postmaster, was asked by President Bonds-Raacke to write a poem to commemorate the occasion. As a part of the investure of the President, BROTHER RAMON recited his original poem. On 15 th October, BROTHER RAMON once more took up the mantel of poet. He recited another of his poems, this one with "respite" as theme, as part of the University's Sacred Music Concert in the Abbey Church.

The new President and her family have joined the monastic community a number of times for prayer in the Abbey Church, followed by a meal in the monastic refectory. In late September, the Abbot and his Senior Council-cum-Board of Directors hosted the President and her Cabinet at a dinner at Lambert Lodge, the monastic retreat on the Sound.

These two leadership groups were able to mingle informally and to enjoy fine appetizers and a delicious meal pre-pared by BROTHER PACHOMIUS HAMOR and Jason Seid of Institutional Advancement. Abbey Seniors in attendance in addition tothe Abbot were PRIOR NICOLAUS WILSON , BROTHER AELRED , BROTHER MARK , BROTHER LUKE DEVINE , BROTHER BEDE NICOL and this writer. It was a lovely Fall afternoon, which turned into rainy evening.

Most Benedictine monasteries have something in the way of art collections; some also have artists-in-residence living at the monastery for a time. When I first came to Saint Martin’s as a student many years ago, the community had an artist-monk, Brother Bruno. He not only made beautiful art, but one could watch him throw pots on a wheel and creatobeautiful things. Brother Bruno left the community in 1969, but many examples of his fine work still can be seen on campus. He achieved some fame as an artist. At one time he studied at The Art Students League New York City. His pieces are in the Lannan Collection, New York City, and the American Embassy, Tokyo, among other public collections. In mid-August, we received word that he died peacefully at the age of 85 in the Adirondack Mountains where he’d long lived and worked. Condolences to his younger brother Rom LaVerdiere, who also was once a monk at Saint Martin’s, and who is the father of a Saint Martin's alum.

In other monastic news, BROTHER DAMIEN-JOSEPH RAPPUHN continues his theological studies at Mount Angel Abbey, where FATHER PETER is enrolled in a graduate program which allows him to continue his University work in Campus Ministry at the same time he is completing a degree program. ABBOT MARION has initiated series of monastic conferences on the “Rule of Benedict” on Saturdays after conventual Mass. In addition to being a Saint Martin's student and doing much work out-of-doors, BROTHER PASCAL is assisting BROTHER RAMON in the Saint Martin’s Post Office.

As a New Year approaches, let us give thanks for the blessings we’ve received in the year which is ending u