Friends Of St. Meinrad

An appreciative group of friends of St. Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary gathered Sept. 10 at the Bauerhaus in Darmstadt for dinner and reports from the Benedictine monks on the status of a renovation of the monastery and activities.

Benedictine Father Denis Robinson, seminary president-rector, shared that the School of Theology has 119 young men enrolled this year. He acknowledged his gratitude for the extremely dedicated faculty and staff, the seminarians and the friends. "You are our secret and anonymous partners."

Benedictine Father Julian Peters, St. Meinrad faculty member, shared the plans and needs of the current renovation of the Benedictine monastic community residence. Especially noted was the need for upgrading the infirmary areas. Community needs for in-house care of monks calls for newly designed spaces since the monastery's construction some 30 years ago.

Benedictine Archabbot Justin Duvall highlighted the infirmary needs in a video. Father Tobias Colgan emceed the evening. 

Bishop Charles C. Thompson noted that the Diocese of Evansville currently has seven young men studying theology at the internationally acclaimed seminary. "We have 11 young men studying for the priesthood with seven at St. Meinrad. The percentages are better for completion of studies for the priesthood when our men are in the theology years of study versus the college years."

St. Meinrad is known by bishops internationally for the quality work they are doing with programs for priests coming from the international community," continued Bishop Thompson. "In our diocese we have five priests from India, one from Kenya, one from NIgeria, one seminarian from Nigeria and one seminarian from Mexico."