Saint Anselm Abbey
Saint Anselm Abbey in Goffstown, New Hampshire, is a Benedictine monastic community within the Catholic Church, founded in 1889. It is known for its close association with Saint Anselm College, where its approximately 30 monks serve in various administrative, faculty, and staff roles. The abbey recently made history with the election of a religious brother, Isaac Murphy, as its sixth abbot, a first in the world for a community that includes priests.
Key Facts
- ›Founded in 1889 by monks from Saint Mary's Abbey in Newark, New Jersey, at the request of Bishop Denis M. Bradley of Manchester.
- ›Operates Saint Anselm College, a Catholic liberal arts institution, with monks serving as administrators, faculty, and staff.
- ›The main abbey building was completed in 1955 in the Colonial Revival style, with the adjacent abbey church added in 1965.
- ›Isaac Murphy, a religious brother, was elected the abbey's sixth abbot in 2024, a historic first globally for such a role in a mixed community of brothers and priests.
- ›The abbey is a member of the American-Cassinese Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation.
- ›Monks sing the 'Ultima' hymn of the American-Cassinese Congregation on feast days and at burials.
Colonial Revival
- Saint Anselm College
- Brother Isaac Murphy's Historic Election As Abbot
Saint Anselm of Canterbury, Denis M. Bradley, Boniface Wimmer, Hilary Pfraengle, Ernest Helmstetter, Bertrand Dolan, Gerald Mccarthy, Joseph John Gerry, Matthew K. Leavy, Mark Cooper, Isaac Murphy
- Founded In 1889.
- Elevated To An Independent Abbey By Pope Pius Xi In 1927.
- Brother Isaac Murphy Elected As the Sixth Abbot In 2024, the First Such Election In the World For A Religious Brother In A Community Including Priests.
About Saint Anselm Abbey
Saint Anselm Abbey, situated in Goffstown, New Hampshire, is a Benedictine monastic community dedicated to living under the Rule of Saint Benedict within the Catholic Church. Founded in 1889, the abbey operates in close conjunction with Saint Anselm College, a Catholic liberal arts institution. The approximately thirty monks who reside at the abbey actively participate in the college's life, serving in crucial administrative, faculty, and staff capacities.
Foundation and Development
The genesis of Saint Anselm Abbey traces back to 1889 when Bishop Denis M. Bradley of Manchester requested monks from Saint Mary's Abbey in Newark, New Jersey, to establish a presence in his diocese. The initial goal was to create an educational institution for French and Irish immigrants, with German educators deemed best suited to foster harmony. Monks from Newark founded St. Raphael's Parish and the Saint Anselm Preparatory School, which ultimately evolved into Saint Anselm College. For its initial years until 1927, Saint Anselm functioned as a dependent priory under the spiritual oversight of Saint Mary's Abbey in Newark.
Abbacy and Leadership
In 1927, Saint Anselm Priory was elevated to the status of an independent abbey by Pope Pius XI. Since this elevation, the abbey has been led by six abbots. The most recent and historically significant leadership change occurred in June 2024 with the election of Brother Isaac Murphy as the sixth abbot. This election is groundbreaking as Murphy is a religious brother, not a priest, marking the first time worldwide a non-ordained brother has been elected to head a religious community that includes ordained priests, a possibility enabled by a 2022 decree from the Holy See.
Architecture and Community Life
The present main abbey building was completed in 1955, designed by Manchester architects Koehler & Isaak in the Colonial Revival style. The same architectural firm later designed the adjacent abbey church, completed in 1965. Community life within the abbey includes the singing of the hymn 'Ultima' on feast days and at the burial of its members, a practice shared with the American-Cassinese Congregation to which it belongs.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Anselm Abbey founded?
Saint Anselm Abbey was founded in 1889. It was initially a dependent priory of Saint Mary's Abbey in Newark, New Jersey, and became an independent abbey in 1927.
What is the connection between Saint Anselm Abbey and Saint Anselm College?
The monks of Saint Anselm Abbey are actively involved in the operation of Saint Anselm College. They serve as administrators, faculty, staff members, and on the college's Board of Trustees.
Who is the current abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey?
As of June 17, 2024, Isaac Murphy is the sixth and current abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey. His election as a religious brother is a historic first for a community that includes priests.
What architectural style is the main abbey building?
The present main abbey building, completed in 1955, is designed in the Colonial Revival style. The adjacent abbey church, added in 1965, was also designed by the same architects.
What is the 'Ultima' hymn?
The 'Ultima' is a hymn sung by the monastic community of Saint Anselm Abbey and other members of the American-Cassinese Congregation. It is sung a cappella in Latin on feast days and during burials of community members.
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