The article originally appeared in “Abbey e-News” by Fr. Geoffery Fecht, OSB.

After serving as abbot for over 23 years…

Abbot John is due to resign his office as he approaches his 75th birthday this coming January. Once Abbot John announced his approaching resignation some months ago, the monks began preparation work for the election of his successor.

All monks attended a series of meetings to discuss pertinent issues, raise topics of concern, and possible future challenges that the community and the new abbot will likely need to deal with in the near and not-so-near future. How will the community continue to serve its major apostolates well, affect its social, pastoral, and educational outreach, deal with the challenges of vocation outlook, etc.?

Unlike what is currently going on in the country’s national and local preparations for civic elections, the abbey’s approach to its abbatial election does not include campaigning, debates, or backroom bargaining. Instead, it is a time for communal and personal self-reflection, prayers to the Holy Spirit to assist, and a realization that the election is not about how the selection might best serve the individual elector but instead best serve the welfare of the community as a whole.

Both private conversation and public discussions organized in a variety of ways can help clarify the combination of qualities desirable in an abbot at a particular time. Obviously, monks will be considering certain monks for the office during this time of preparation. In doing so, each monk must truly seek the welfare of the community, not simply personal or private advantage, and must desire to discover the person who is truly worthy of and best qualified for the office. The process discourages factionalism, which can be fostered when private discussion takes place only among like-minded.

Regarding the possible candidates discussed, the elector should be guided by a keen sense of justice and charity, with full commitment to the truth, respect for the good name and other rights of those discussed, and concern for confidentiality, particularly where its lack would injure the party concerned. And it is important to reserve final judgment until after the scrutinium at the time of the election.

Thus far, the monks have gathered to discuss issues and challenges three times. In December, in its fourth and final such gathering in preparation for January’s election, the monks will discuss the necessary qualities the abbot will benefit from as he leads the community into its future. From January 8-11, the voting members of the community will gather for the election itself. Voting members include all monks who have made their final solemn vows and are of sound mind.

Monks who cannot attend or, due to health concerns, cannot vote and have received permission have the opportunity to select a proxy to vote in their stead. In such a case, the absent monk will have chosen a monk of like mind to vote for him. At the time of voting, since he will be in attendance during the all-important scrutinium, the approved proxy will cast two votes, both for the same person: one vote cast for his preference and another vote for the same person, for the absent monk.

On January 8, 2024, after several months of prayer, preparation, and discernment, the monks will gather for the election. Several days have been set aside on the monks’ calendar for the election period. An outside, non-Saint John’s abbot will serve as president and convene the election chapter. After a service of prayer, the first order of business will be to take a roll call to get an accurate count of eligible voting members. Again, except for the president, only monks in their final vows are allowed to be in attendance. After the roll call, an election of tellers takes place. Their function will be to collect and count ballots. Finally, each monk will be invited to cast two nomination ballots, listing the names of two eligible monks whom he wishes to put forward as possible candidates for the abbatial office.

What is necessary for a monk to be eligible to be abbot? To be validly elected to the office of abbot, it is required that a monk be:

(1) at least thirty years of age.

(2) solemnly professed for at least seven years.

(3) a member of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine monasteries (those twenty-five monasteries included in the “family tree” of Saint John’s Abbey).

Inevitably, the question will arise: Can a non-ordained monk be elected abbot? Though not the norm, given special consideration and procedures, the answer is yes. Rather than just the Abbot President confirming the election of an ordained monk (in our case, a duty delegated to the president of the election), in the case of a non-ordained brother being elected, his election would need to be confirmed by the Vatican. It is possible, but it would likely delay the official conclusion of the election. In other words, the process slows down because Rome is not always quick to act on anything.

Before any voting takes place, the all-important scrutinium occurs. The scrutinium is the Latin term for the evaluation of candidates. During this evaluation, the electors are reminded of their serious obligation to observe charity and maintain secrecy regarding statements made during the process, especially those offered as a negative evaluation of a person’s character or actions.

If a monk named in the balloting wishes to withdraw his name, he may state that, as of that moment, he would not accept his election and may request that the electors not vote for him. The electors, however, remain free to vote for him if they wish to do so.

In consultation with the electors, the president may determine whether every monk nominated should be evaluated or only those named a specified number of times. Electors, however, remain free to vote for candidates not evaluated. It should also be noted that Abbot John, due to his resignation as abbot, is required to absent himself for the entire evaluation process, lest his presence stifle conversation or unduly influence the procedure.

Beginning with the monk most frequently named, each monk who has been named as a candidate will, in turn, leave the room while his qualifications for the office of abbot are evaluated. After his evaluation has been completed, the monk is free to return for the evaluation of the others named.

After the scrutinium has concluded, a short prayer takes place, and the presiding abbot closes this initial session. To allow sufficient time for prayer and reflection, the balloting for candidates for the office of abbot is not to begin until several hours have elapsed. Once the sessions are reconvened, there is another moment of prayer, another call of the roll to determine who is present and eligible to vote, and the electors take a prescribed oath. Electors swear to keep the proceedings confidential, not sharing the discussions and votes that transpire during the election with the outside public.

Not more than six valid ballots are permitted in the election of an abbot. To be validly elected on one of the first three ballots, a candidate must receive the votes of two-thirds of the electors responding to the roll call, either in person or by proxy. If there is no election after three ballots, time for reflection and prayer is to be given to the electors. To be validly elected on one of the final three ballots, a candidate must receive the votes of more than half of the number of electors responding to the roll call.

The tellers distribute the ballots, giving one ballot to each elector except for those also serving as a proxy, who receive two ballots. Each elector marks his ballot secretly and deposits his ballot in the ballot box. When all the ballots have been counted, and the required majority has been reached, the president will inform the monk that he has received the required majority and ask him if he accepts the will of the community. If he accepts, he signs the previously prepared petition.

Before the election is confirmed, the newly elected abbot makes a profession of faith. Again, in the case of an ordained monk being elected, the president of the election, who is the President of the Congregation, confirms the election. In the case of a non-ordained monk being elected, the confirmation needs to come from the Vatican. Immediately upon this confirmation, the newly elected abbot obtains full jurisdiction over the community. He is the abbot and has all the rights and obligations attributed in universal law to the major superior of a clerical institute of pontifical right.

At Saint John’s, it is at this point that the new abbot receives the pectoral cross and crosier, symbols of his authority and new role as the abbot of Saint John’s Abbey. Shortly afterward, the community lines up in statio—the order of profession and seniority in the community—including monks in simple vows. And to the sound of the ringing of the bells in the abbey bell banner, the monks process to the abbey church for a Liturgy of Thanksgiving, with the new abbot at the end of the procession into the church.

The new abbot, the election president, and the former abbot process to the abbot’s throne to seat the new abbot. During the Liturgy of Thanksgiving, the newly elected abbot is given the opportunity to address all those gathered with words of thanks, an appeal for prayers, and perhaps some notion as to his vision for the community. Concluding the liturgy, the members of the community, those solemnly professed and those still in simple vows, offer the new abbot the Pax, the Sign of Peace.

After the election, a date is selected for the official blessing of the new abbot. The blessing takes place as a celebration of the local church, which includes the monastic community of Saint John’s Abbey, its friends, neighbors, and the faithful related to Saint John’s, as well as family members and special guests of the abbot. All will be gathered with Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, who will bestow a blessing on the new abbot, indicating the prayerful support of the Church as he begins his heavy task of teaching others by word and example the fear of the Lord.

In the weeks leading up to January’s election, as the monastic community goes about its discernment and prepares for the selection of a new abbot, we ask for your prayers. May the Holy Spirit be with the monks as we go about the sacred task of electing our next abbot.