Spring is finally here -- and it’s about time! I don't know about you, but I thought winter would never end. Springtime always feels so new and refreshing, so full of hope and promise. All kinds of joyful and memorable life events tend to happen in the spring, including graduations and weddings, baptisms and confirmations.
And because of this, I also find spring to be a nostalgic time of year. The smell of the air after a spring storm shower or the sight of dogwood trees in full bloom have the power to transport me back instantly to springs past.
It’s fitting, then, that the Easter season corresponds with spring. Just as we call to mind past weddings and confirmations even as we look forward to new ones, we also remember the work of Christ on the cross, his resurrection, and the lives and works of the apostles, even as we experience Christ making all things new in our own lives. We have so much to be thankful for and to rejoice over. Alleluia!
April Happenings
April 1-14: On April 7th, Archbishop Charles Thompson was at Saint Meinrad to ordain several of our seminarians to the diaconate, including Brother Damien Evangelista, OSB, of Prince of Peace Abbey. Congratulations to Brother Damien and all the new deacons!
On April 12th, Dr. Caitlin Smith Gilson presented the annual Thomas Lecture on Philosophy and Theology at the seminary. This year’s lecture was titled “Prayer, Suffering and Self-Presence,” and it was well received by those in attendance. (See photos in this post.)
April 15-30: On April 15-18, Saint Meinrad hosted our second biennial Saint Meinrad-Saint Luke Institute Conference for Human Formation. This conference focused on intercultural competencies.
The event brought over 160 participants and presenters from around the country and other English-speaking countries to the Hill to explore best practices and relevant issues related to conducting human formation with international priests, seminarians, and men and women religious. Br. John Mark was a key organizer and coordinator of the event, and the many guests were welcome and enthusiastic participants in many of our liturgies.
In other news, Brothers Nathaniel and Kolbe both participated in the Nashville marathon and posted respectable times. On April 22, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we remembered to pray for vocations, and on April 25, we had a community meeting and choir practice.
On the 27th of April, we welcomed our school’s Board of Overseers once again to the Hill, as well as many retreatants attending the Fr. Adrian’s retreat on “Contemplative Living.” On April 30th, we had a farewell party for our visiting Benedictines.
We offer an especially warm and heartfelt farewell to Brothers Cassian Elkins of Subiaco Abbey and Antony-Maria Minardi, as they will be returning permanently to their home monasteries for priesthood ordination after several years of living, praying and studying with us. They will be missed!