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Westminster Abbey (British Columbia)
Encyclopedia
Westminster Abbey is a community of Benedictine
monks in Mission
, British Columbia
, established in 1939 from the Abbey
of Mount Angel
, Oregon
. The Abbey is home to the Seminary of Christ the King.
The abbey's official name is the Abbey of Saint Joseph of Westminster; Saint Joseph
is the abbey's patron saint.
of the Archdiocese of Vancouver
. Five monks, including Father Eugene Medved, later Prior and Abbot, were sent from Mount Angel Abbey, Oregon, to British Columbia in 1939 to found a priory
and to take over the running of the Seminary
of Christ the King, which was then located in Ladner, B.C..
The following year, the monks moved their new priory together with the seminary to Burnaby, near Vancouver, B.C.. It became a conventual (independent) priory in 1948. In 1953 the Holy See
raised it to the status of an Abbey. Prior Eugene was elected as the first Abbot
of the new abbey.
The same year, construction began on a new abbey, church, and seminary, designed by the Norwegian architect, Asbjørn Gåthe. The new location was on the outskirts of the town of Mission. The monks began to live on this site beginning in 1954; buildings were gradually added, culminating in the abbey church in 1982. The abbey is located on a hill northeast of the town centre, with a commanding view up the Fraser River
valley.
Father Maurus Macrae was elected abbot in 1992 after the death of Abbot Eugene. He continued as abbot until his death in 2005, when Father John Braganza, the present abbot, was elected.
The abbey currently has around 30 monks.
Benedictine monks live by the motto of their order, Ora et Labora, ("Pray and Work"). The roughly 30 monks at Westminster Abbey also follow this.
In 1950, Benedictine sisters came to help the abbey, and continued there until they left in 1968. Since then, all kitchen, farm, and most other work at the abbey has been done by the monks themselves.
at several times through the day. These are usually sung publicly in the church.
. The minor seminary is the only Anglophone high school seminary in Canada. The major seminary is a private institution authorised by the government of British Columbia to grant degrees.
The students are taught by the monks, as well by many volunteer teachers. The Major seminarians are also taught by local diocesan priests.
es around the abbey, and he has also created a series of concrete bas-reliefs affixed to pillars inside the church.
The abbey, including the farm and woods, covers over 70 hectares of land.
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monks in Mission
Mission, British Columbia
Mission, the core of which was formerly known as Mission City, is a district municipality in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is situated on the north bank of the Fraser River overlooking the City of Abbotsford and with that city is part of the Central Fraser Valley. Mission is the...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, established in 1939 from the Abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
of Mount Angel
Mount Angel Abbey
Mount Angel Abbey is a community of Benedictine monks near the city of Mt. Angel, Oregon, United States. It was established in 1882 from the Abbey of Engelberg, Switzerland. The abbey, located on the top of Mount Angel, a 485-foot high butte, has its own post office separate from the city of Mt....
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. The Abbey is home to the Seminary of Christ the King.
The abbey's official name is the Abbey of Saint Joseph of Westminster; Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
is the abbey's patron saint.
History
The Seminary was founded in 1931 by Archbishop William Mark DukeWilliam Mark Duke
William Mark Duke was a Canadian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who served as Archbishop of Vancouver from 1931 to 1964.-Curriculum Vitae:Born in St...
of the Archdiocese of Vancouver
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver is a Roman Catholic archdiocese that includes part of the Province of British Columbia. It is the metropolitan see of the ecclesiastical province which includes the suffragan dioceses of Kamloops, Nelson, Prince George, and Victoria...
. Five monks, including Father Eugene Medved, later Prior and Abbot, were sent from Mount Angel Abbey, Oregon, to British Columbia in 1939 to found a priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
and to take over the running of the Seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
of Christ the King, which was then located in Ladner, B.C..
The following year, the monks moved their new priory together with the seminary to Burnaby, near Vancouver, B.C.. It became a conventual (independent) priory in 1948. In 1953 the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
raised it to the status of an Abbey. Prior Eugene was elected as the first Abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the new abbey.
The same year, construction began on a new abbey, church, and seminary, designed by the Norwegian architect, Asbjørn Gåthe. The new location was on the outskirts of the town of Mission. The monks began to live on this site beginning in 1954; buildings were gradually added, culminating in the abbey church in 1982. The abbey is located on a hill northeast of the town centre, with a commanding view up the Fraser River
Fraser River
The Fraser River is the longest river within British Columbia, Canada, rising at Fraser Pass near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for , into the Strait of Georgia at the city of Vancouver. It is the tenth longest river in Canada...
valley.
Father Maurus Macrae was elected abbot in 1992 after the death of Abbot Eugene. He continued as abbot until his death in 2005, when Father John Braganza, the present abbot, was elected.
The abbey currently has around 30 monks.
Activities
In 1950, Benedictine sisters came to help the abbey, and continued there until they left in 1968. Since then, all kitchen, farm, and most other work at the abbey has been done by the monks themselves.
Prayer
The monks pray the Liturgy of the HoursLiturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
at several times through the day. These are usually sung publicly in the church.
Seminary
The monks operate the Seminary of Christ the King, with a Minor (high school) and Major (college) seminary, both for young men. The students reside on the grounds during the school year. They also participate in the singing of the Liturgy of the HoursLiturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
. The minor seminary is the only Anglophone high school seminary in Canada. The major seminary is a private institution authorised by the government of British Columbia to grant degrees.
The students are taught by the monks, as well by many volunteer teachers. The Major seminarians are also taught by local diocesan priests.
Art
Father Dunstan Massey is the abbey's resident artist. He has painted several frescoFresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es around the abbey, and he has also created a series of concrete bas-reliefs affixed to pillars inside the church.
Farm
The abbey's farm is worked by the monks. It houses pigs and up to 40 cattle, raised for their meat. There are also chickens, whose eggs are eaten. All meat eaten at the abbey comes from the farm.The abbey, including the farm and woods, covers over 70 hectares of land.