Retreat With Abbot Austin Murphy OSB
A talented monk performs well in various roles in his monastic community and over time gains the confidence and admiration of his brothers, to the extent that he seems to some of them, (and more and more to himself), an excellent candidate for abbot. The community has an election - and he is not elected abbot. Surprised and hurt by the vote, the monk succumbs to sadness and sadness issues into a kind of sloth or lethargy which lingers for months. This was among a number of graphic illustrations shared by Abbot Austin Murphy by way of inviting the monks to reflect on emotions and how we as monastics are sometimes challenged to integrate them into our intense enclosed life together. Abbot Austin has done advanced scholarship with the writings of St. Augustine and was able to illumine stories of the actual human struggle of monks with profound, coherent and ancient theological insights. Besides conferences offered each morning after Lauds, our retreat master met with monks individually to discuss personal experiences. Cistercians, who are reformed Benedictines, find we often benefit from encounters with our Benedictine brothers more involved in active ministry. Abbot Austin's experience as a school teacher imbues his monastic spirituality with a human warmth and realism which was appreciated by the New Melleray monks. He himself commented more than once how he was restored and deeply appreciated the silence and solitude of New Melleray Abbey.
Recent Articles
- Health Precautions Introduced at New Melleray
- Retreat With Abbot Austin Murphy OSB
- Mid-Winter Spring Cleaning For the Birds
By Category
Around the Abbey
- Health Precautions Introduced at New Melleray
- Mid-Winter Spring Cleaning For the Birds
- Abbot Richard Purcell Visits from our Mother House
- Commission of the Future Meets January 29
- Brother Tobias Dies February 2
- Trappist Caskets Memorial Book
- Seventy Five Year Old Pine and Spruce Tree Line Removed
- Christmas Schedule
- Monastery Friend and Benefactor Laid to Rest
- Half a Century of Monastery Seasons
- Abbot Mark Visits Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
- Deer Hunting and The Reasons Why
- Generous Donation to Child Casket Fund
- Trappist Caskets Introduces Urn Campaign
- Monks Goats and Land Stewardship
- New Melleray's DVD God Alone Broadcast on CFN
- Abbot Mark to Attend Transfer of Assumption Monastery
- New Melleray Celebrates Our 170th Anniversary
- Monks Host Lumen Christi Retreat Immersion Experience
- Catholic Blogger Leah Libresco Visits New Melleray
- A Page From Our Forestry Files
- New Melleray Contemplative Experience - 2019
- Casket Donations On the Rise
- New Melleray Abbey hires a full time Forester
- Marjorie Lehmann Appointed Director of Administration
- Monks Receive Appreciative Letters From Grieving Families
- Monks Host Students from University of Dubuque
- The monks of New Melleray celebrate the Lord's birth
- Ten Thousand Dollars Donated to the Child Casket Fund
- Monks Host Employee Christmas Party
- Lumen Christi Institute Retreat Experience at New Melleray
- Brother Vitus Returns to Nigeria
- Photo Journalist Prepares Article on New Melleray Abbey
- Commission of the Future to be Assisted by Dr Patricia Kelly
- Abbot Mark Scott to Visit the Phillipines
- Aug 6 - 2018 Contemplative Experience
- Aug 4 - Back in Black
- July 31 - Authentic Monastic Service
- July Information Forum
- July 14 - The Man in Black
- July 13 - Struggles and Conversions
- 2018 Contemplative Experience - Aug 6 to 18
- June 8 - Come Away Participants
- June 2 - Brother Walter Schoenberg
- May 27 - Novice Directors
- May 27 - An Evening of Classical Guitar Music
- May 26 - Dom Richard Purcell
- May Information Forum
- May 18 - 2018 Visitation Conversation
- May 9 - Brother Placid Zilka
- Apr 13 - Revitalization
- Apr 10 - Dollars and Cents
- March Information Forum
- Mar 11 - On Conversion
- Mar 9 - Acceptance of the Strategic Plan
- Mar 7 - Built of Living Stones
- Feb 28 - Dom Peter McCarthy
- February Information Forum
- 2018 Lenten Observances
- Feb 9 - Culture of Vocations
- Jan 29 - A Postulant Present
- January Information Forum
- Jan 14 - Notre Dame Folk Choir Retreat and Concert
- Jan 12 - Responding to Strategic Planning
- Jan 9 - Trappists Caskets Corp and Board of Directors Meetings
- December Information Forum
- Dec 14 - Strategic Planning - Strategies and Initiatives
- Nov 30 - Strategic Planning - The Issues
- November Information Forum
- Nov 23 - The Polish Church
- Nov 21 - Compline Open Forum
- Nov 13 - Mystics and Music
- Nov 10 - A Conversation of Theological Interpretations
- Nov 8 - Vocation Awareness Week
- Nov 6 - Dubuque County Right to Life
- Oct 26 - Focus on Strategic Planning
- Oct 16 - Who Are These Wearing White
- Oct 15 - A New Prior
- Oct 13 - Six Challenges
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance - Pictures
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance Details
- Oct 6 - A Strong Driving Wind
- Oct 6 - Come Away Participants
- September Information Forum
- Sept 27 - Fan-tastic
- Sept 15 - Monastic Fast
- Sept 14 - Cowls and Cloaks
- Sept 8 - Celebration of the Liturgy
- Sept 8 - Organ-ic Charity
- Sept 6 - OCSO General Chapter
- Sept 4 - Laboring on Labor Day
- August 24 - August Information Forum
- August 23 - Arriving at Amen
- August 18 - Conversation about Silence
- July 27 - July Information Forum
- July 25 - Strategic Planning Process Kickoff
- July 16 - Remembering Fr Neil
- July 14 - Strategic Planning Priorities
- July 6 - Father Neil Paquette
- June 28 - Hidden Fruitfulness Shared
- June 9 - Come Away Guests
- May 22 - The Juniors Are Here
- May 12 - A Clear Indication Conversation
- May 10 - Full of Hot Air
- April Information Forum
- April 23 - Remembering Brother Kevin
- April 21 - Filiation Conversation
- March 31 - Brother M Kevin Knox
- March Information Forum
- 2017 Lenten Observances
- February Information Forum
- Feb 21 - By the Labor of Their Hands
- Feb 12 - Themes Limit Me
- Feb 10 - Formation Conversation
- Feb 6 - Let Us Build Ourselves a Tower
- January Information Forum
- Jan 27 - The Last Lecture of Fr Michael Himes
- Jan 26 - Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux
- Jan 17 - An Evening with the Archbishop
- Jan 15 - Blessing of Icons
- Jan 13 - Contemplation and Evangelization
- Jan 10 - Trappist Caskets Corporation Member and Board Meetings
- Dec 25 - Christmas Celebrations
- December Information Forum
- Dec 12 - An Introduction to Strategic Planning Facilitation
- Nov 30 - Christians in Culture
- Nov 28 - Homelessness in the Dubuque Area
- November Information Forum
- Nov 11 - Martyrdom
- Oct 27 - Reflections on Contemporary Culture
- October Information Forum
- Oct 17 - Brexit
- Oct 10 - Vatican II and the House Report
- Oct 7 - Come Away Weekend
- Oct 1 - Young Adult Luncheon and Discussion
- Sept 30 - Visiting Divine Word Missionary
- Sept 26 - Closing of the Regular Visitation
- Sept 22 - Mercy and the Cross
- September Information Forum
- Sept 19 - Regular Visitation
- Sept 9 - Conversation Groups - The Regular Visitation
- Sept 4 - In Pursuit of Silence
- August Information Forum
- Aug 25 - Lux Aurumque
- Aug 25 - New Windows
- Aug 12 - Community Meals
- July 28 - Information Forum
- July 27 - The New Monasticism
- July 20 - Brisit
- July 16 - Solemnity of Church Dedication and Foundation
- July 8 - To Shelter the Homeless
- Band of Infidels
- Shane Claiborne
- June Information Forum
- Cowls Off
- First Things Essays
- Homilies - Chapter Talks - A Word to Our Employee Stakeholders
- Holidays and Holy Days
- New Wine for New Wineskins
- Come and See Weekend
- Information Forum
- In Thanksgiving and Love
- A Visitor from Ava
- Meet Millenials
- Visitation of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
Formation
- Retreat With Abbot Austin Murphy OSB
- Guest Lecturer Father Mark O Keefe
- Guest Lecturer on Science and Faith
- Two Monks Attend Cistercian Colloquium in Dallas
- Monks Host Fr Steve Avella for Lectures
- Monks Host Dr Brian Patrick McGuire
- New Melleray Monks Make Annual Retreat
- Spiritual Conferences by Fr John Markey
- Leadership Workshop at New Melleray Abbey
- Mar 9 - Emmanuel Levinas
- Oct 17 - Keep Awake
- August 17 - In My Opinion
- June 13 - Dr David Brakke and Early Monasticism
- March 31 - Bernard Lonergan in English
- Oct 29 - American Understanding of Nazism - A Sense of Belonging
- July 28 - A Certain Wonderful Miracle
- July 5 - The Mis-Measure of Man
- July 3 - St John Monastic Institute 2016
- Islamaphobia
- Juniorate and Summer Studies
Liturgy
- Mass of Remembrance 2019
- Monks Celebrate the Sacred Triduum
- Monks Celebrate the Solemnity of our Holy Founders
- New Advent Chants Introduced December 2
- Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday
- Feb 2 - Feast of the Presentation
- Dec 3 - Stoles
- Dec 2 - Compline Revised
- Nov 2 - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - photos
- April 9 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
- Feb 2 - Presentation of the Lord - Candlemas
- Jan 18 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Nov 17 - Mass of Remembrance
- Nov 2 - All Souls Commemoration
- Sept 25 - Little Office Experiment
- Sept 4 - Changing Practices in the Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Aug 23 - A New Organist
- Corpus Christi Procession and Adoration
- Swan Song
Refectory Book
- The Warmth of Other Suns in Our Refectory
- Love Awakened by Love - Refectory Book
- Refectory Book Wright Brothers
- Current Refectory Book- The Noonday Devil
- Voices From the Cloister - New Melleray's Recent History
- The Shattering of loneliness
- Arms and the Monk - Our Current Refectory Book
- Aug 5 - Breaking the Power of Silence
- July 10 - The Power of Silence
- June 16 - Why I Am Catholic
- May 19 - Reading Paul
- Apr 13 - Desert Father
- Apr 8 - Vultum Dei Quaerere
- Mar 30 - The Rainbow of Sorrow
- Feb 24 - Mertons Abbot
- Feb 14 - Guerric of Igny
- Feb 1 - The Spirituality of St Paul
- Jan 29 - Aspects of Formation
- Jan 4 - Dante
- Dec 31 - Evangelizing the Nones
- Nov 16 - The Benedict Option
- Sept 25 - Reclaiming Humility
- August 31 - Martin Luther
- August 19 - Vocation Ministry With Vitality
- June 26 - The Road to Character
- May 24 - Flowers in the Desert
- May 2 - When Breath Becomes Air
- April 14 - Reflections and Sermon
- Mar 10 - Exodus-The Book of Redemption
- Mar 4 - Youth Culture As A Challenge
- Mar 1 - Apostolic Abstinence
- Feb 17 - Of Beetles and Angels
- Jan 13 - Aristotles -neglected- Children
- Dec 30 - World Day of Prayer for Peace
- Dec 21 - Aristotles Children
- Nov 15 - Monastic Sermons
- Sept 18 - God or Nothing
- Aug 5 - Church of Spies
- July 5 - St Bernard Three Course Banquet
Schedule
- 4th Sunday Adoration for Vocations
- Weekly - Tuesday - Rosary for Vocations
- July 31 - No Rosary for Vocations Tonight
- Aug 31 - Come Away
- July 16 - Foundation and Dedication
- 2018 Holy Week Liturgies
- Jan 12 - Early Vespers
- Jan 7 - Early Adoration and Vespers with Private Compline
- 2017 Christmas Liturgy Schedule
- Mass and Liturgy Schedule Changes for Thursday Oct 12
- October 12 - Trappist Caskets Memorial Mass
- Holy Week Liturgies
- ASH WEDNESDAY - Distribution of Ashes
- Jan 8 - Early Vespers and Private Compline
- Christmas Liturgy Schedule
- Sacrament of Reconciliation Times
- 4th of July Holiday
By Month
March 2020
- Health Precautions Introduced at New Melleray
- Retreat With Abbot Austin Murphy OSB
- Mid-Winter Spring Cleaning For the Birds
February 2020
- Abbot Richard Purcell Visits from our Mother House
- Commission of the Future Meets January 29
- Brother Tobias Dies February 2
January 2020
- Trappist Caskets Memorial Book
- The Warmth of Other Suns in Our Refectory
- Seventy Five Year Old Pine and Spruce Tree Line Removed
December 2019
November 2019
- Guest Lecturer Father Mark O Keefe
- Abbot Mark Visits Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
- Love Awakened by Love - Refectory Book
October 2019
September 2019
- Mass of Remembrance 2019
- Generous Donation to Child Casket Fund
- Trappist Caskets Introduces Urn Campaign
- Guest Lecturer on Science and Faith
August 2019
- Monks Goats and Land Stewardship
- New Melleray's DVD God Alone Broadcast on CFN
- Abbot Mark to Attend Transfer of Assumption Monastery
July 2019
- Two Monks Attend Cistercian Colloquium in Dallas
- New Melleray Celebrates Our 170th Anniversary
- Current Refectory Book- The Noonday Devil
June 2019
- Monks Host Lumen Christi Retreat Immersion Experience
- Catholic Blogger Leah Libresco Visits New Melleray
- Voices From the Cloister - New Melleray's Recent History
May 2019
- A Page From Our Forestry Files
- Monks Host Fr Steve Avella for Lectures
- The Shattering of loneliness
- Monks Host Dr Brian Patrick McGuire
April 2019
- New Melleray Contemplative Experience - 2019
- Monks Celebrate the Sacred Triduum
- Casket Donations On the Rise
March 2019
February 2019
- New Melleray Abbey hires a full time Forester
- Marjorie Lehmann Appointed Director of Administration
- Monks Receive Appreciative Letters From Grieving Families
January 2019
December 2018
- The monks of New Melleray celebrate the Lord's birth
- Ten Thousand Dollars Donated to the Child Casket Fund
- Monks Host Employee Christmas Party
November 2018
- New Advent Chants Introduced December 2
- Lumen Christi Institute Retreat Experience at New Melleray
- Brother Vitus Returns to Nigeria
- Photo Journalist Prepares Article on New Melleray Abbey
October 2018
- Spiritual Conferences by Fr John Markey
- Commission of the Future to be Assisted by Dr Patricia Kelly
- Abbot Mark Scott to Visit the Phillipines
- Leadership Workshop at New Melleray Abbey
August 2018
- 4th Sunday Adoration for Vocations
- Weekly - Tuesday - Rosary for Vocations
- Aug 6 - 2018 Contemplative Experience
- Aug 5 - Breaking the Power of Silence
- Aug 4 - Back in Black
July 2018
- July 31 - Authentic Monastic Service
- July 31 - No Rosary for Vocations Tonight
- July Information Forum
- Aug 31 - Come Away
- July 16 - Foundation and Dedication
- July 14 - The Man in Black
- July 13 - Struggles and Conversions
- July 10 - The Power of Silence
June 2018
- 2018 Contemplative Experience - Aug 6 to 18
- June 16 - Why I Am Catholic
- June 8 - Come Away Participants
- June 2 - Brother Walter Schoenberg
May 2018
- May 27 - Novice Directors
- May 27 - An Evening of Classical Guitar Music
- May 26 - Dom Richard Purcell
- May Information Forum
- May 19 - Reading Paul
- May 18 - 2018 Visitation Conversation
- May 9 - Brother Placid Zilka
April 2018
- Apr 13 - Desert Father
- Apr 13 - Revitalization
- Apr 10 - Dollars and Cents
- Apr 8 - Vultum Dei Quaerere
March 2018
- Mar 30 - The Rainbow of Sorrow
- 2018 Holy Week Liturgies
- March Information Forum
- Mar 11 - On Conversion
- Mar 9 - Emmanuel Levinas
- Mar 9 - Acceptance of the Strategic Plan
- Mar 7 - Built of Living Stones
February 2018
- Feb 28 - Dom Peter McCarthy
- Feb 24 - Mertons Abbot
- February Information Forum
- Feb 14 - Guerric of Igny
- 2018 Lenten Observances
- Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday
- Feb 9 - Culture of Vocations
- Feb 2 - Feast of the Presentation
- Feb 1 - The Spirituality of St Paul
January 2018
- Jan 29 - A Postulant Present
- Jan 29 - Aspects of Formation
- January Information Forum
- Jan 14 - Notre Dame Folk Choir Retreat and Concert
- Jan 12 - Responding to Strategic Planning
- Jan 12 - Early Vespers
- Jan 9 - Trappists Caskets Corp and Board of Directors Meetings
- Jan 7 - Early Adoration and Vespers with Private Compline
- Jan 4 - Dante
December 2017
- Dec 31 - Evangelizing the Nones
- December Information Forum
- 2017 Christmas Liturgy Schedule
- Dec 14 - Strategic Planning - Strategies and Initiatives
- Dec 3 - Stoles
- Dec 2 - Compline Revised
November 2017
- Nov 30 - Strategic Planning - The Issues
- November Information Forum
- Nov 23 - The Polish Church
- Nov 21 - Compline Open Forum
- Nov 16 - The Benedict Option
- Nov 13 - Mystics and Music
- Nov 10 - A Conversation of Theological Interpretations
- Nov 8 - Vocation Awareness Week
- Nov 6 - Dubuque County Right to Life
- Nov 2 - Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed - photos
October 2017
- Oct 26 - Focus on Strategic Planning
- Oct 17 - Keep Awake
- Oct 16 - Who Are These Wearing White
- Oct 15 - A New Prior
- Oct 13 - Six Challenges
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance - Pictures
- Oct 12 - Mass of Remembrance Details
- Mass and Liturgy Schedule Changes for Thursday Oct 12
- Oct 6 - A Strong Driving Wind
- Oct 6 - Come Away Participants
September 2017
- September Information Forum
- Sept 27 - Fan-tastic
- Sept 25 - Reclaiming Humility
- October 12 - Trappist Caskets Memorial Mass
- Sept 15 - Monastic Fast
- Sept 14 - Cowls and Cloaks
- Sept 8 - Celebration of the Liturgy
- Sept 8 - Organ-ic Charity
- Sept 6 - OCSO General Chapter
- Sept 4 - Laboring on Labor Day
August 2017
- August 31 - Martin Luther
- August 24 - August Information Forum
- August 23 - Arriving at Amen
- August 19 - Vocation Ministry With Vitality
- August 18 - Conversation about Silence
- August 17 - In My Opinion
July 2017
- July 27 - July Information Forum
- July 25 - Strategic Planning Process Kickoff
- July 16 - Remembering Fr Neil
- July 14 - Strategic Planning Priorities
- July 6 - Father Neil Paquette
June 2017
- June 28 - Hidden Fruitfulness Shared
- June 26 - The Road to Character
- June 13 - Dr David Brakke and Early Monasticism
- June 9 - Come Away Guests
May 2017
- May 24 - Flowers in the Desert
- May 22 - The Juniors Are Here
- May 12 - A Clear Indication Conversation
- May 10 - Full of Hot Air
- May 2 - When Breath Becomes Air
April 2017
- April Information Forum
- April 23 - Remembering Brother Kevin
- April 21 - Filiation Conversation
- April 14 - Reflections and Sermon
- April 9 - Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
- Holy Week Liturgies
March 2017
- March 31 - Brother M Kevin Knox
- March 31 - Bernard Lonergan in English
- March Information Forum
- Mar 10 - Exodus-The Book of Redemption
- Mar 4 - Youth Culture As A Challenge
- Mar 1 - Apostolic Abstinence
- 2017 Lenten Observances
February 2017
- ASH WEDNESDAY - Distribution of Ashes
- February Information Forum
- Feb 21 - By the Labor of Their Hands
- Feb 17 - Of Beetles and Angels
- Feb 12 - Themes Limit Me
- Feb 10 - Formation Conversation
- Feb 6 - Let Us Build Ourselves a Tower
- Feb 2 - Presentation of the Lord - Candlemas
January 2017
- January Information Forum
- Jan 27 - The Last Lecture of Fr Michael Himes
- Jan 26 - Solemnity of the Founders of Citeaux
- Jan 18 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
- Jan 17 - An Evening with the Archbishop
- Jan 15 - Blessing of Icons
- Jan 13 - Aristotles -neglected- Children
- Jan 13 - Contemplation and Evangelization
- Jan 10 - Trappist Caskets Corporation Member and Board Meetings
- Jan 8 - Early Vespers and Private Compline
December 2016
- Dec 30 - World Day of Prayer for Peace
- Dec 25 - Christmas Celebrations
- December Information Forum
- Dec 21 - Aristotles Children
- Dec 12 - An Introduction to Strategic Planning Facilitation
- Christmas Liturgy Schedule
November 2016
- Nov 30 - Christians in Culture
- Nov 28 - Homelessness in the Dubuque Area
- November Information Forum
- Nov 17 - Mass of Remembrance
- Nov 15 - Monastic Sermons
- Nov 11 - Martyrdom
- Nov 2 - All Souls Commemoration
October 2016
- Oct 29 - American Understanding of Nazism - A Sense of Belonging
- Oct 27 - Reflections on Contemporary Culture
- October Information Forum
- Oct 17 - Brexit
- Oct 10 - Vatican II and the House Report
- Oct 7 - Come Away Weekend
- Oct 1 - Young Adult Luncheon and Discussion
September 2016
- Sept 30 - Visiting Divine Word Missionary
- Sept 26 - Closing of the Regular Visitation
- Sept 25 - Little Office Experiment
- Sept 22 - Mercy and the Cross
- September Information Forum
- Sept 19 - Regular Visitation
- Sept 18 - God or Nothing
- Sept 9 - Conversation Groups - The Regular Visitation
- Sept 4 - In Pursuit of Silence
- Sept 4 - Changing Practices in the Liturgy of the Eucharist
August 2016
- August Information Forum
- Aug 25 - Lux Aurumque
- Aug 25 - New Windows
- Aug 23 - A New Organist
- Aug 12 - Community Meals
- Sacrament of Reconciliation Times
- Aug 5 - Church of Spies
July 2016
- July 28 - A Certain Wonderful Miracle
- July 28 - Information Forum
- July 27 - The New Monasticism
- July 20 - Brisit
- July 16 - Solemnity of Church Dedication and Foundation
- July 8 - To Shelter the Homeless
- July 5 - The Mis-Measure of Man
- July 5 - St Bernard Three Course Banquet
- July 3 - St John Monastic Institute 2016
- 4th of July Holiday
June 2016
- Band of Infidels
- Shane Claiborne
- June Information Forum
- Cowls Off
- Islamaphobia
- First Things Essays
- Homilies - Chapter Talks - A Word to Our Employee Stakeholders
- Holidays and Holy Days
May 2016