The Priors' Meeting

From November 3-6, 2022, a group of priors from abbey throughout the United States met for their annual meeting.  Prior Edward Seton was among those who attended the meeting hosted by the monks of St. Louis Abbey, Creve Coeur, Mo., outside of St. Louis.  The presenter of the meeting was the long-time prior of St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pa., Fr. Earl Henry, O.S.B.
 
His presentation was cleverly entitled “Existential Phenominology of Priorship,” and was filled with Fr. Earl’s practical and plain-spoken wisdom, after more than two decades as prior of the largest Benedictine abbey in the Confederation.  He organized his presentations around three main interrelated areas: The prior’s relationship with the abbot, the prior’s relationship with the community, and the prior’s vigilance and headaches.  The priors in attendance shared stories and struggles, sought advice and offered some, and enjoyed praying with the monks of St. Louis Abbey and fellowship among themselves.

The prior’s in attendance were from abbeys in Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.  The program also included a visit to the magnificent Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis.  The priors plan to meet in November 2023, at St. Leo Abbey, St. Leo, FL.