Triduum Retreat
Apr
17
to Apr 20
Retreats

Triduum Retreat

Come to Me All You Who are Burdened — the Goal of a Lenten Observance

Presented by Father Eric Hollas, O.S.B.

Jesus calls us to leave behind our burdens and take up his instead.  Despite his assurance that his yoke is easy and his burden light, we still clutch tightly to our own baggage, which has been accumulated over a lifetime.  This retreat will seek to inventory some of the baggage we carry, and learn how to place it in the hands of the Lord.

 

Reservation Information

The retreat begins with a conference at 4:00 p.m. on Holy Thursday and concludes after a Sunday morning conference and optional Easter Day Mass.

Cost: single-occupancy room, $375; double-occupancy room, $645; suite, $705, meals included.

To register for this retreat, contact the Spiritual Life Office at 320-363-3929, email us at spirlife@osb.org, or register online.

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Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Apr
13
11:30 AM11:30
Events & Liturgy, Liturgy

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

We invite you to join us for the celebration of the Mass in person or live-streamed from the Saint John’s Abbey Church.

PRAYER SCHEDULE

7:00 am – Morning Prayer
10:30 am – Sunday Mass (Blessing of the branches in the Great Hall, followed by a procession to the Church.)
5:00 pm – Evening Prayer

Watch the Livestream Here

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Vigil of Palm Sunday
Apr
12
7:00 PM19:00
Events & Liturgy, Liturgy

Vigil of Palm Sunday

7:00 pm Abbey Church

We invite you to mark your calendar for the Vigil of Palm Sunday service at Saint John's Abbey Church. On the evening of Saturday, April 12, we will offer an opportunity for friends, neighbors, students, parents, nearby parishioners, and all who would like to participate—to join us to begin their Holy Week in a special and inspirational way. The vigil prayer service features a lovely musical composition of the late Father Jerome Coller, O.S.B. Comprised of chant and organ music, the approximately one-half-hour service reflects on the solemn message of the Palm Sunday liturgy.

Following the vigil, all are invited to join the monks for a reception with light refreshments in the Great Hall.

No RSVP is required.

If you would like to extend your stay, go to the Abbey Guesthouse Reservation Form and secure a space today.

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The Westminster Cathedral Choir of London
Mar
29
4:00 PM16:00
Organ, Abbey Church

The Westminster Cathedral Choir of London

4:00 pm
Saint John’s Abbey Church

Tickets Now Available

Westminster Cathedral Choir is widely considered to be one of the finest choirs in the world. Since its foundation in 1901 it has occupied a unique and enviable position at the forefront of English church music, not least because of the ground-breaking work of its first Master of Music, Sir Richard Terry, who revived the great works of the English and continental Renaissance composers.

The choir’s fame grew under Terry as it presented this forgotten music, transforming attitudes to the repertoire. Innovation continued under George Malcolm who pioneered the development of the choir’s sound along continental lines, resulting in a choir that was truly revolutionary in both what and how it sang. The choir continues these traditions today, and it remains the only Catholic Cathedral choir in the world to sing daily Mass and Vespers. More recent holders of the post have included Colin Mawby, Stephen Cleobury, David Hill, James O’Donnell, and Martin Baker. Since September 2021, the choir has been directed by Simon Johnson.

The choir’s reputation continues to grow as it reaches new audiences through a series of acclaimed recordings on the Hyperion label, the two most recent being James MacMillan’s Tenebræ Responsories, and the three Masses of William Byrd. In 1998 the choir was awarded the Gramophone Awards ‘Best Choral Recording of the Year’ and ‘Record of the Year’ for the performance of Frank Martin’s Messe and Pizzetti’s Requiem.

The choir has a history of commissioning and performing new music, famous examples being Britten’s Missa brevis for boys’ voices, the Mass in G minor by Vaughan Williams and compositions by Wood, Holst and Howells. Over the last two decades, the choir has commissioned new Masses from James MacMillan, Peter Maxwell Davies, Judith Bingham, John Tavener, Matthew Martin and Stephen Hough, all of which were first performed in the context of the regular liturgies at Westminster Cathedral.

Westminster Cathedral Choir features frequently on radio and television. When its busy liturgical schedule permits it takes its music further afield. In addition to regular concerts around the UK, recent tours have included Hungary, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the USA.

(Source: westminstercathedral.org.uk/music)

 
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Greg Zelek and Caleb Hudson
Mar
9
3:15 PM15:15
Organ

Greg Zelek and Caleb Hudson

3:15 pm
Saint John’s Abbey Church

Caleb Hudson, former trumpeter with the world-famous Canadian Brass for over a decade, will present a concert with master organist Greg Zelek on March 9 at 3:15 PM in the Abbey & University Church. 

Uniting virtuosity and musical sensitivity, Caleb Hudson has carved out a unique space in the world of classical trumpet. A long-standing member of the esteemed Canadian Brass for over a decade, he has captivated international audiences. Caleb, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, earned both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School. The New York Times has praised his artistry as "brilliantly stylish."

In March 2024, Hudson released his debut solo album “Nothing Less,” a testament to the art of ensemble-driven dialogue. Featuring a distinct blend of solo trumpet, violin, cello, flute, and clarinet, the music allows virtuosity and collaboration to intermingle seamlessly. The album introduces fresh compositions by Remy Le Boeuf, Kyle Athayde, and Caleb Hudson himself while also offering innovative takes on classics by Corelli and Philip Glass.

(Source: https://hudsontrumpet.com)

Greg Zelek is among the most exciting young organists in the American organ scene. Praised for his “effortless facility on the instrument,” Greg has recently been hailed as “extraordinary in the classical music world” and a “musical star.” He is the Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Overture Concert Organ curator, overseeing all the MSO’s organ programming. Since September 2017, Greg has proudly held the Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curatorship.

(Source https://www.gregzelek.com)

 
 
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A Duo Recital
Jun
12
3:00 PM15:00
Organ

A Duo Recital

3:00 pm June 12, 2024
Saint John’s Abbey Church

Free admission; a free-will offering will be received.

Isabelle Demers and Damin Spritzer performing on the Abbey’s Holtcamp/Pasi organ

Dr. Isabelle Demers has appeared in recitals throughout Europe, Oman, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. She is in continual high demand by her colleagues, as witnessed by performances for numerous regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Institute of Organ Builders and International Society of Organbuilders, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society. She has released multiple CD recordings.

A native of Québec and a doctoral graduate of the Juilliard School, Dr. Demers is an Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University (Montréal, Québec). She was formerly the Joyce Bowden Chair in Organ and Head of the Organ Program at Baylor University (Waco, Texas).

concertartists.com

Area Chair and Associate Professor of Organ Dr. Damin Spritzer has been with the University of Oklahoma since 2014. Formerly Adjunct Professor at the University of North Texas teaching Organ Literature and Sacred Music, she continues work with the Cathedral Church of Saint Matthew in Dallas as Artist-in-Residence for Cathedral Arts. For the Organ Historical Society, she serves on the Library Archives Committee, and for the Association of Anglican Musicians, on their editorial board. Previously she has participated with the Board of Directors for the Leupold Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of pipe organ music and culture, and is active in the Dallas and Oklahoma City Chapters of the American Guild of Organists.

daminspritzer.com

 
 
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HYMN FEST: All the Earth with Joy is Sounding
Apr
15
8:00 PM20:00
Organ, Events & Liturgy

HYMN FEST: All the Earth with Joy is Sounding

8:00 p.m.
Saint John’s Abbey Church

Hymn Fest with organ, percussion, jazz saxophone, Native American flute, and trumpet

With master organ improviser Tom Trenney
Mary Lara Ahles and Br. David Paul Lang, O.S.B., singers
Lynn Deichert, Trumpet
Maureen Putnam, percussion
Bruce Thornton, saxophone
Fr. Michael Peterson, O.S.B., Native American flute

Singing hymns of Easter season from the new Saint John’s Abbey Hymnal

FREE KEYBOARD LESSONS WITH TOM TRENNEY

Keyboard players of any level may sign up for a session with Tom Trenney to receive valuable tips on leading hymns and improvising on them. Lessons are offered on Monday, April 15, and Tuesday, April 16. Email Fr. Anthony Ruff, O.S.B. if you  wish to sign up: awruff@csbsju.edu

Watch the Livestream Here

View the Hymn Fest Leaflet Here

 

 This event is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

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Organ Concert with Dr. Isabelle Demers
Nov
5
3:00 PM15:00
Organ

Organ Concert with Dr. Isabelle Demers

3:00 pm November 5, 2023
Saint John’s Abbey Church

Free admission; a free-will offering will be received.
Attend in person or watch the live-stream here

Dr. Isabelle Demers’ concert will feature the music of Daveluy, Prokofiev, Reger, and the world premiere of “Tone Poem in Honour of Saint Benedict” by Rachel Laurin, commissioned through the generosity of Michael Barone of American Public Media.

With playing described as having “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review) and being “fearless and extraordinary” (Amarillo-Globe News), Dr. Isabelle Demers has enraptured critics, presenters, and audience members around the globe.

Isabelle Demers has appeared in recitals throughout Europe, Oman, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. She is in continual high demand by her colleagues, as witnessed by performances for numerous regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Institute of Organ Builders and International Society of Organbuilders, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and the Organ Historical Society. She has released multiple CD recordings.

A native of Québec and a doctoral graduate of the Juilliard School, Dr. Demers is an Associate Professor of Organ at McGill University (Montréal, Québec). She was formerly the Joyce Bowden Chair in Organ and Head of the Organ Program at Baylor University (Waco, Texas).

 
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The Great Pumpkin Returns
Oct
30
8:00 PM20:00
Organ

The Great Pumpkin Returns

8:00 pm
Saint John’s Abbey Church

"The Great Pumpkin Returns" is free and open to anyone who wants to attend. The Abbey Church can accommodate all, and based on the popularity of this show last fall, we expect a remarkable turnout: students, faculty, staff, neighbors, alumni, and friends! All are welcome to get into the Halloween spirit!

The CSB/SJU Music Department, Saint John’s Abbey, and The Steve Noack Program in Pop Music and Jazz will present a Halloween Extravaganza. Featured performers include:

  • Fr. Bob Koopmann, organ and piano

  • Brother Jacob Berns, organ

  • Brother David Klingeman, organ

  • George Maurer, Ann Michels, vocalist

  • Jeff Englholm, bass

  • And others to be announced

Music to be announced…

This is a Free Event
Free-will Offerings are accepted

 
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25th Anniversary of the Commissioning of The Saint John's Bible
Oct
5
7:00 PM19:00

25th Anniversary of the Commissioning of The Saint John's Bible

October 5, 7:00 pm

Celebrating the Word of God with The Saint John’s Bible

Creation, Donald Jackson with contributions by Chris Tomlin, 2003, The Saint John’s Bible andthe Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA.

Twenty-five years ago (1998), Saint John's Abbey and University commissioned Donald Jackson, a renowned English calligrapher, to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. Jackson assembled a team of artists, calligraphers, theologians, and scholars to collaborate on the creation of the manuscript. Work was begun in Wales in the year 2000 and completed in 2011.

To mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the commissioning of The Saint John’s Bible and, more generally, to highlight this amazing calligraphic and artistic presentation of the Word of God, a celebration will be held in the Abbey Church on October 5 at 7:00 PM. It will be built around the words of the Prophet Micah: “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8). The service will be presided over by Abbot John Klassen and Prioress Karen Rose and will feature readers and musicians from Saint John’s Abbey, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, the College of Saint Benedict, Saint John’s University, Saint John’s Preparatory School and The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Program.

The celebration will be live-streamed.

A reminder that a rotating exhibit of twenty-eight original velum folios from The Saint John’s Bible is on display in the Bible Gallery on the lower level of the Alcuin Library. Check the “See the Bible” page of The Saint John’s Bible website for more information.

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Hymn Fest Celebrating the New Saint John’s Abbey Hymnal
Sep
24
5:00 PM17:00
Organ

Hymn Fest Celebrating the New Saint John’s Abbey Hymnal

Hymn Fest celebrating the new Saint John’s Abbey Hymnal

5:00 pm September 24, 2023

Saint John’s Abbey and University Church

  • New abbey hymnal with 964 hymns!

  • With renowned master organist Bill Chouinard!

  • Several CSB/SJU Choirs! Chamber Choir, Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, All-College Choir, and School of Theology Chapel Choir!

  • Massed choir of area Catholic and Protestant parishes!

  • Hymns are sung by the choirs and by everyone in attendance!


Livestreamed here

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Mass of Christian Burial for Father Michael Naughton, OSB
Sep
14
3:30 PM15:30

Mass of Christian Burial for Father Michael Naughton, OSB

Father Michael died of a stroke in the Saint Cloud Hospital in the presence of monks. He is survived by cousins and confreres of Saint John's Abbey. The monks, relatives and friends will receive the body at 7:00 pm on September 13 and celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Michael at 3:30 p.m. on September 14 in the Saint John’s Abbey and University Church, with interment in the Abbey Cemetery. 

You can read the full obituary here.

The service will be live-streamed at www.saintjohnsabbey.org/live. 

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