Monks of Saint John’s Abbey
We, the monks of Saint John’s Abbey, are a monastic community of Roman Catholic monks (priests and brothers) who seek God together by:
Following the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Living in community together under the leadership of an abbot, our spiritual father.
Promising to the abbot and the community, vows of obedience, stability, and conversion according to a monastic manner of life.
For more information, visit SaintJohnsAbbey.org
Our Benedictine Motto is Ora et Labora
(Pray and Work)
Our Prayer Comprises:
Praying the Liturgy of the Hours at Morning, Midday, Evening, and Night as a community. This prayer is rich in the psalms and other scriptures.
Celebrating the Eucharist daily.
Praying for the needs of the Church, all God’s people, and our world.
Seeking God by reading and praying the scriptures in a reflective manner (Lectio Divina).
Being silent in the presence of God.
Our Work Encompasses:
Educating and forming students at our Prep School, University, and School of Theology and Seminary.
Ministering in local parishes, hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
Welcoming as Christ our guests, retreatants, and visitors to our guesthouse.
Publishing spiritual books and prayer guides for Catholics and other believers.
Continuing the tradition of crafting fine furniture and woodwork.
Building mechanical-action church organs.
Caring for a large hardwood forest, lakes, wetlands, and a prairie.
Nurturing all manner of the arts: music, painting, sculpting, writing icons…
Our Mission Forward
We strive to be a vibrant and faithful monastic community through our common life of prayer, study, and work, embracing our identity as faithful sons of the Catholic Church and giving witness to Christ and the Gospel in service to the Church and the world.