From June 15 until June 19, monks of the American-Cassinese Congregation gathered at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota for the 55th General Chapter of the Congregation. A General Chapter is a meeting of all the monasteries in a particular congregation. Each monastery is represented by the house superior and a delegate elected by the community. Other monks, who serve on standing committees of the congregation, also attend the chapter in a non-voting capacity. The overall theme for this General Chapter was “Shaping Our Future”. Presentations on topics related to this theme were given to the delegates. They also heard a virtual address via Zoom from Abate Primate Jeremias Schroeder, OSB. St. Mary’s Abbey was well represented at the Chapter. In attendance were Abbot Jonathan Licari, OSB, Abbot President, Prior Edward Seton Fittin, OSB, superior, Br. William McMIllan OSB, delegate, and Fr, Michael Tidd, OSB, who serves on the Congregation’s Finance Committee.

From June 8 until June 11, the monastic community took a break from its daily routine to hold its annual retreat.  This year, the monks of St. Mary's Abbey were joined by the community of Newark Abbey. Additionally two monks from St. Paul's Abbey, Newton and a monk from the monastery of Ewu in Nigeria also took part. The retreat master was Br. Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB of Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick, Ireland. So there were monks from five different monasteries in attendance. Br. Colmán. who is an expert in Medeival Irish religious life, drew on his vast knowledge of the field to draw parallels with monastic life today. His conferences were liberally sprinkled with bits of Irish wit. The monks enjoyed the opportunity to reflect, relax and enjoy one another's company.