We are monks living a radical form of Christian life like the early Church. Subiaco Abbey is a Roman Catholic monastery founded in 1878 as part of the missionary efforts of the Archabbey of St. Meinrad in Indiana and the Archabbey of Maria Einsiedeln in Switzerland. We are located on 1,800 acres nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita mountains of Arkansas, USA. We take the ancient monastic vows of stability, conversatio morum (ongoing conversion to the monastic way of life), and obedience. Preferring nothing whatsoever to Christ, we dedicate ourselves, under the Rule of St. Benedict and an Abbot, to strive to support one another in community, to serve God, the Church, and the larger society. Begun 1,500 years ago, we Benedictine monks number just under 7,400 and are located in over 280 abbeys throughout the world. Like the early Apostles who lived and worked together whilst sharing everything in common, we continue to seek God by following that biblical example found in the Acts of the Apostles and codified by Saint Benedict into a way of life known as Benedictine Monasticism.
Br. Anselm’s father led him to Subiaco. Mr. Allen took his family on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Ozarks, which was annually held in August for many years. On the return trip to Little Rock, his father stopped at Subiaco and, while there, asked his son if he was interested in attending Subiaco Academy. Br. Anselm said that he was hesitant since he had many friends in Little Rock but he decided to try it for a year. After one year he really liked it at the academy as a member of the scholasticate, which included students interested in joining the Subiaco Abbey. While at school, he really enjoyed working with the brothers on the farm and helping Br. Stephen with the bees. He also enjoyed hiking on the ridges and many outdoors activities. After graduating from high school, he was enrolled in college at the Abbey in preparation for priesthood studies. After a year in college, Fr. David Flusche convinced him to enter the monastery as a Brother candidate. During his first years as a Brother Candidate and Novice, Br. Anselm was assigned to the print shop, working under Fr. David. He was trained to make printing plates from photographs. To do this, he built a darkroom and an air conditioner to keep it at a constant temperature. At this time, he also did some work on the farm.... CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
We ask some of our monks to share the story of how God led them to come to Subiaco Abbey. Feel free to click on one of the images below to read their vocation stories. Likewise, you can also read more of the other vocation profiles by clicking HERE.