Visit to Greg's

Well, this past weekend was a weekend of remembering and sharing. I had the opportunity to go to St. Gregory's Abbey, which is the heart of St. Gregory's University. St. Gregory's is where I spent my first two years of 'adulthood'. I graduated from there with my Associates degree and headed forth into the world.

St. Gregory's Abbey is the Monastery, the Benedictine monks that run St. Gregory's and have for over 100 years. One of the newer addition to the Fathers of St. Gregory's was my roommate when I attended St. Greg's, Fr. Boniface Copelin, O.S.B.. At that time, he was "Tim" and we both had aspirations to the priesthood. Quite a bit of time has passed but Boniface is a Priest and is continuing his studies in Rome.

For me, St. Gregory's is the home of my Faith. My first real Confession was walking up and down the entrance drive with Fr. Ian Riding, OSB, when Fr. Ian was not there, Fr. Louis would take the reins and walk with me. Priests of St. Gregory's showed me the incredible wisdom, love and peace of the Church. Fr. Joe, whom I adored, imparted a love of History. I eventually received a degree in History and never have stopped loving it since. Fr. Denis showed me the authority of the Church, the logic and wisdom wrapped up in a gruff demeanor. Fr. Theodore, even with his goofy 60's Theology, was the example of a pastoral Priest to his last days.

Br. Maurus, now Fr. Maurus, put Boniface and I together because we were both pipe smokers. We still enjoy a good pipe to this day and we enjoyed several bowls together during the course of the weekend. Accident or Insight, I am not sure but Fr. Maurus gave me something which I will treasure to my last breath. Being a part of that place is something I treasure and brings me back to sanity when everything seems off and lost. It is never lost when there.

The rythym of St. Gregory's, Vigils at 6:00, breakfast at 6:30, Lauds at 7:15, work, MidDay Prayers at 12:15, Mass at 5, Vespers, and Compline at 7:15 is a rythym which is orderly and prayerful. It is easy to see God at St. Gregory's and a part of the Heaven which the Monks 'advertise'.

I was blessed to be the server for Boniface's Masses for three days. Receiving Eucharist, the Body of Christ, from my friend is a very special experience. These past Three Days have been very special and I look forward to doing them again soon.