The
GIFT PLANNER
INVESTING IN TOMORROW’S CHURCH
FALL 2026 - VOL. 133
MESSAGE FROM THE
ARCHABBOT My Dear Friends, Grace and peace to you. In this issue of The Gift Planner, you will read about two expressions of faithful stewardship. One article explores how charitable gifts through retirement accounts and beneficiary designations can support the future mission of Saint Meinrad. Another reflects on the idea of being “Pilgrims of Generosity,” reminding us that our journey of faith is also a journey of sharing the gifts God has entrusted to us with others. These themes are closely connected. As Christians, we recognize that everything we possess is ultimately a gift from God. The Rule of St. Benedict teaches us to receive all things as gifts from God’s hand and to use them wisely and gratefully. Generosity flows naturally from that understanding. The Christian life is indeed a pilgrimage. Day by day, we seek to follow Christ more faithfully. Along the way, we discover that generosity is not simply about financial decisions. It is an expression of trust in God’s providence and a witness to the values we hope to leave behind. What inspires me most is not the gift itself, but the faith behind it. Every gift given reflects a desire to participate in God’s work beyond one’s lifetime. Each act of generosity that we are beneficiaries of becomes part of the story of Saint Meinrad. The very story of the hermit and martyr St. Meinrad is one of hospitality and generosity. We pray and work to uphold these values every day in our communal life. I thank you for your friendship, your prayers, and your generous support. The mission entrusted to us continues because faithful people like you walk this journey with us. Together, as pilgrims of faith and generosity, we help build a future in which others may encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and discover the love of God in their own lives. May God bless you and your loved ones abundantly, and may He continue to guide us on our pilgrimage toward Him. Gratefully in Christ,
A Gift from Your IRA or Retirement Plan: A FAITHFUL WAY TO SUPPORT SAINT MEINRAD Whether through a Qualified Charitable Distribution today or a beneficiary designation for tomorrow, your thoughtful planning can help sustain Saint Meinrad’s mission for generations to come. For many benefactors and friends of Saint Meinrad, stewardship is a response to God’s call to share the blessings they have received. If you are age 70½ or older, your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) may offer a simple and meaningful way to support the mission of Saint Meinrad while providing potential tax advantages. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), sometimes called an IRA charitable rollover, allows individuals ages 70½ and older to transfer funds directly from an IRA to a qualified charitable organization such as Saint Meinrad. For those who must take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), a QCD can satisfy all or part of that
requirement while supporting a ministry they cherish. As always, donors should consult their financial, legal, or tax advisors regarding their specific circumstances. You can also support Saint Meinrad through a beneficiary designation on your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement plan. Naming Saint Meinrad as the beneficiary of all or a portion of a retirement account is often as simple as completing a form through your plan administrator. Such a gift can provide lasting support for Saint Meinrad’s mission while allowing you to preserve other assets for your loved ones. Whether made during your lifetime or through your estate, gifts through retirement plans help:
• Educate lay leaders who
strengthen parishes, families, and communities.
• Sustain the prayer and ministry of the Benedictine community.
• Care for retired and aging monks.
• Preserve Saint Meinrad’s legacy
of faith, learning, and hospitality for all guests and future generations.
Saint Meinrad continues to prepare leaders for the Church and serve as a place of prayer, education, and hospitality. Your generosity through an IRA or retirement plan helps ensure that this mission continues for generations to come. ◆
• Form future priests and
deacons for service in the Church.
We are here to help! To learn more about making a gift from your IRA or naming Saint Meinrad as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, please contact: Brian Doyle, Director of Planned Giving & Foundation Relations Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary & School of Theology, 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577 (800) 682-0988 plannedgiving@saintmeinrad.edu
Neither the author, the publisher, nor this organization is engaged in rendering legal or tax advisory service. For advice or assistance in specific cases, the services of an attorney or other professional advisor should be obtained. The purpose of this publication is to provide accurate and authoritative information of a general character only. Watch for tax revisions. State laws govern wills, trusts, and charitable gifts made in a contractual agreement. Advice from legal counsel should be sought when considering these types of gifts. ©Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 2026
Pilgrims of Generosity BRIAN DOYLE, DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING Every Christian life is a pilgrimage. From Abraham setting out in faith to the Israelites journeying through the desert to the disciples following Christ along the road to Galilee, Scripture reminds us that faith is not simply a destination, but a journey. In every age, pilgrims have left familiar surroundings and ventured forward, seeking to encounter God more deeply and to be transformed by that encounter. The Catholic tradition of pilgrimage continues today. Millions travel to Rome, the Holy Land, Lourdes, Santiago de Compostela, and other sacred places. Yet the essence of pilgrimage is not measured by miles traveled. A true pilgrim moves beyond self-interest toward a greater purpose, listening to God’s personal call and traveling with trust, gratitude, and hope. We are all pilgrims on the journey. As we are called to be pilgrims of life and faith, we are also called to be pilgrims of generosity. Generosity is a spiritual journey. It begins with the recognition that everything we have is ultimately a gift from God. Our faith, our families, our opportunities, our resources, and our time are entrusted to us for a purpose larger than ourselves. As stewards of these gifts, we are invited to ask ourselves
how God is calling us to share them with others. Like all pilgrimages, the journey of generosity unfolds one step at a time. For some, the first step may be supporting a favorite ministry through an annual gift. For others, it may involve prayerfully considering how their life’s blessings can continue serving others through a charitable gift from a will, trust, retirement account, or estate plan. Each step reflects a growing trust in divine providence and that our generosity becomes part of God’s grace in the world. Saint Meinrad Archabbey has been accompanying pilgrims for more than 170 years, with generations of monks devoting themselves to prayer, hospitality, education, and the formation of future priests, deacons, and lay leaders. Countless people have come to the Hill seeking renewal, peace, and a deeper encounter with Christ. The mission of Saint Meinrad continues because faithful pilgrims of generosity have chosen to invest in something that will outlast their own lifetimes. A pilgrim carries only what is essential. In a similar way, philanthropy invites us to focus on what truly endures. Ultimately, legacies are shared by the faith we
pass on and the lives we touch. Planned gifts to Saint Meinrad allow donors to transform earthly blessings into lasting expressions of faith. Through these gifts, future generations will continue to encounter God through the work of the Archabbey and Seminary & School of Theology. As pilgrims of generosity, we walk together toward our heavenly destination. Along the way, we discover that giving is not merely a transaction but an act of discipleship. It shapes our hearts, strengthens the Church, and bears fruit beyond what we can see. Together, may we continue this sacred journey with faith, hope, and gratitude, sharing our gifts and leading others closer to Christ on the way. Brian Doyle is director of planned giving for Saint Meinrad Archabbey. To learn more about creating your charitable legacy through Saint Meinrad, please visit saintmeinradgiftplanning.org or contact the Office of Planned Giving at 800-682-0988. ◆
Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary & School of Theology • 200 Hill Drive • St. Meinrad, IN 47577 www.saintmeinrad.edu • www.saintmeinrad.org