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Dear Friends of Subiaco,
There is good news to share with you! Prayers for more vocations are being answered. We monks want to join you in thanking God for sending us four men as candidates for monastic life here at Subiaco and another man approved to arrive in February 2018. Please continue to pray for these four who, God willing, will become novices the evening of February 1.
The formation period for candidates is their first introduction to monastic life, attending daily Mass and Divine Office with the monks and taking part in our life here at Subiaco. They attend classes in the mornings to acquaint themselves with Subiaco history, scripture, psalms, and other subjects that are important to their formation. In addition to me, instructors include Fr. Richard Walz, Formation Director; Br. Jude Schmitt, Assistant Director; Fr. Hugh Assenmacher, and a few other monks. The afternoon hours are dedicated to work assignments, oftentimes in the pepper patch or helping with peanut brittle. They take part in the chores of the monastery; washing dishes or housekeeping in assigned areas, remembering to allow time for spiritual reading and for their study.
In his fourth year of a five-year program, Fr. Elijah Owens continues studying in Rome, primarily doing research and writing papers, which he will defend before his professors. Br. Reginald Udouj and Br. Cassian Elkins will finish seminary studies this school year, with ordination to the priesthood scheduled for July 14, 2018, here at Subiaco at 10:30 a.m. Br. Matthias Hagge is in his second year of seminary studies at the Theological College in Washington D.C. The monies donated for monk education during the last Capital Campaign have helped make their education possible.
The Health Center residents, Br. Maurus Glenn, Br. Andrew Suarez, and Fr. Timothy Donnelly, along with others, receive assisted care from the nursing staff as needed. Due to the generosity of our supporters in the recently completed Capital Campaign, the monks’ eldercare fund has grown to slightly more than $3 million. This is a great comfort in caring for those aging in our monastic community.
The Coury House is experiencing a full schedule of retreats, including those for deacons of neighboring dioceses and our own Hispanic deacon candidates. A little-used storeroom was recently converted into an additional meeting room, helping to serve this apostolate. Those who have not experienced the renovated Coury House should come and see what has been done. Again, we want to thank those who contributed to this renovation through the last Capital Campaign.
At Subiaco, God has truly blessed us and what we do. We have many things to be thankful for. Without a doubt, we know that blessing comes to us through the involvement, prayers and assistance given to us by our many benefactors. With that, we ask for your support in this year’s annual appeal so that together we may keep God’s work at Subiaco alive and moving forward. As you have helped us, we pray God will bless you in all your undertakings. You may also contact our development department directly at 479-434-1001 or subiaco@subi.org or click on the Paypal link to donate directly.
Sincerely in Christ,Abbot Leonard Wangler, O.S.B.