Br. Bernard Denson, N.O.S.B.

On Monday, May 31, 2010, the monks of St. Bernard Abbey will gather in the Abbey church for Mass, as they do everyday. But this day will be different. This day one of them, Br. Jacob D. Amos, O.S.B., will ascend the steps of the altar and kneel before the bishop. Then, by the laying on of hands and the convocation of the Holy Spirit, he will be forever changed. For on this day, Br. Jacob will be ordained to the Order of the Diaconate.

Deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. The Sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the “deacon” or servant of all.[1] As deacon, Br. Jacob will assist the bishop, abbot, and priests in the celebration of the sacraments. He will proclaim the Gospel at Mass and preach, he will be able to baptize, assist at and bless marriages, and preside over funerals. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, which Br. Jacob is preparing to receive, the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time.[2]

Originally from San Francisco , Br. Jacob came to St. Bernard in 2004. After completing the postulancy, novitiate, and juniorate, he made his solemn profession of monastic vows on March 21, 2009. For the last three years he has been pursuing theological studies at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe , Pennsylvania . He is also St. Bernard Abbey’s Vocation Director, helping young men discern if God is calling them to embrace the monastic life. Br. Jacob will return to the seminary in August to complete his last year of studies, after which he will come home to St. Bernard to serve the monastic community and the Church, as a priest.

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[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1570
[2] Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1536
 

Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., the monks, faculty, with the assistance of benefactors of St. Bernard Abbey and Preparatory School, are engaged in a ten year Strategic Plan. The theme of the plan is “Preserving our Past… Building a Legacy.” Recently, on the evening of April 8th, the Abbey hosted a Town Hall Meeting attended by students, faculty, oblates, friends, and benefactors. The Abbot led the discussion about the Strategic Plan; in discussing the importance of vocations to the monastic life, Fr. Abbot said, “Primary to all objectives is the strength and growth of the monastic community.” He also spoke about how important the monastic witness is to the various apostolates of St. Bernard Abbey. Fr. Abbot reminded us of all the monks, teachers, and lay-men and women who have contributed so generously to St. Bernard Abbey. The goal of the Strategic Plan will enable the St. Bernard Community to pass on our legacy to the next generation.

St. Bernard Abbey’s Br. Jacob Amos attended a Vocation Directors meeting to discuss the use of resources, vocation prospects, ideas and brainstorming for vocations to the monastic way of life. This meeting took place at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Pictured are from left to right: Br. John Mary Lugemwa (Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, VA), Fr. Fred Byrne, St. Vincent Archabbey, Br. Jacob Amos, O.S.B., St. Bernard Abbey, and Br. Patrick Winbush, Newark Abbey.

Br. Jacob is attending St. Vincent’s Seminary where he is pursuing his theological studies.

On January the 5th 2010, St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School celebrated Mass to begin the new semester. The monks’ prayers go out for our students, alumni, oblates, families, and benefactors as well as our community. The Vocation team will be praying for vocations to St. Bernard. We also pray a prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord sending us men that want to try the monastic vocation in the postulancy 2010. We ask you to please keep them in your prayers.