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September 12, 2017
On Saturday, September 9th, 2017, three monks of St. Paul's Abbey in Newton, New Jersey -- Brother Luke O'Connell, OSB (center); Abbot Joel Macul, OSB (left); and Abbot Justin Dzikowicz, OSB (right) -- celebrated their Golden Jubilee of Profession. (That's 50 years!)
Abbot President Elias Lorenzo, OSB, offered mass for the anniversary, during which Luke, Joel, and Justin each renewed their vows and received a special staff called a baculum to mark the occasion, a highlight of which was Benedictine sisters from Tanzania singing the preparation and recessional hymns! The crowd -- which included friends and family, as well as nuns, monks, and priests from various convents and monasteries -- later enjoyed lunch together.
The St. Mary's Abbey community extends congratulations to Br. Luke, Abbot Joel, and Abbot Justin -- three great men!