Meet the Monks
Below is a synopsis of why these men answered yes when God called them to become Benedictine Monks at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey.
Fr. Gregory Gresko, OSB
My own greatest challenge in discerning my vocation to religious life and the priesthood was, in fact, “To what degree am I willing to suffer for God and others?” Once God gave me the grace to enter more deeply into His suffering of self-denying, self-dying love, I discovered not only greater personal fulfillment and significance, but a true sense of joy and peace.
I even have gained a clearer understanding of myself through opening myself more fully to God and others.
Abbot Benedict McDermott, OSB
From early in my life I knew that I wanted to serve God as a Priest. I was accepted to attend seminary at Belmont Abbey and became a Benedictine, something my Father had predicted. I made my first profession in 1960. It was a great day, the greatest day of my life. I was ordained a priest in June of 1961. I came to Benedictine to teach French and typing the next year. I was privileged to be elected Abbot in 1989.
Fr. Joseph Mary Lukyamuzi, OSB
I am so grateful to my parents who gave me a strong Catholic foundation. The desire to become a priest came to me at the age of 10. After high school I joined the seminary and was ordained in 1981. The Lord called me to a deeper committed service and the Benedictine way of life in 2002. Praise God from whom all good things come.
Fr. Adrian Harmening, OSB
Through Scouting, I learned the importance of helping others, thus the idea professional scouter or priesthood. I enlisted in the Navy in 1943 after high school and served 34 months. I entered seminary at St. Vincent
College because I felt the Benedictines gave me what I wanted to do ..work with young people and live the liturgy. I was ordained at Belmont Abbey in 1955 and sent to Benedictine
High School to teach. I served as Principal for 23 years and now as Chaplain. In 1991, I became Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish.
Fr. Theophile Brown, OSB
As a young man, I was an Altar Server and worked at my parish in Richmond throughout my teen age years. From time to time the priest and sisters at the parish would ask me if I had ever thought about the priesthood or religious life.
After completing high school studies and a business course, I worked for about four years before deciding on going to the seminary. It was the encouragement I had from others that helped me to decide on the priesthood and life as a Benedictine monk.
Bro. David Owen, OSB
Monastic life is an ongoing journey and one I embraced with some trepidation initially. However, having entered the monastery at an advanced age ..with all it’s challenges ..I can truly say I would do it again ..in a heartbeat.
Fr. Mark Purcell, OSB
If someone had come up to me in high school or even college and said, "You will be a monk and a priest!," I would have laughed hysterically. "No! Not me! Are you nuts?!," I had determined I was to be married, have a career, and pursue my hobbies of drumming and scuba diving. I heard God calling, deep within my soul. After much soul searching, conversion, and spiritual direction, I came to understand the Catholic Faith, and how true it is! "I want to do THAT full-time" I said to God; "I want to pray, and celebrate Mass, and have You forgive sins through me in Confession, if that is Your Will." God has done all of that in me, and He even has me playing drums in a Catholic rock band! I still scuba ..but I haven’t tried diving in my Monastic habit ..yet.
Fr. James Glass, OSB
W hy would anyone want to join a monastery? I did not think I was quite strong enough to face the challenges of priestly living alone--having the camaraderie and support of a community of brothers committed to the same goal of serving Christ in all things was important to me. In a monastery, you always have a place to "hang your hat." This was important to me since my family is not Catholic. One last thing that attracted me to Mary Mother of the Church Abbey was the Eucharist. There is no place in Richmond that has a more Eucharistic devotion than the Abbey. This may have been the most powerful draw of all.
Bro. Robert Nguyen, OSB
I thank God very much for bringing me to the Abbey in September of 1994. Bro. David was the Vocations Director and he helped me to become part of the community. I made my profession in 2001. I give thanks to God for my brothers, including those who are now in the cemetery. I love Abbot Patrick, Abbot Benedict, Prior Donald, Fr. Adrian, and Fr. Theophile very much. I also enjoy my work in the Tailor Shop where I make the habits for the monks. Two years ago I also began working in the Abbey gardens
Bro. John Mary Lugemwa, OSB
God is awesome; He has done amazing things in my life! Since I was a little boy I have desired to become a priest and as I grew older I became so much attracted to religious life. I had second thoughts about leaving law school back in Uganda to enter the monastery but now looking back seven years later, I think I made the right decision to follow my innermost desire – to seek, to love, and to serve God. Although the first years were not so easy, I feel so much joy and happiness knowing that I am available to pray and serve others following in the footsteps of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We are all called to do something everyday, however small, to make our world a better place for all. |
What Monks Do
The Monks come from various background and are endowed with a variety of talents and skills. We are involved in numerousapoloates at the Abbey, around the local Diocese of Richmond, and the universal church.
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About Us
Mary Mother of the Church Abbey is a community of monks seeking God in the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict as expressed through our prayerful Liturgy and the work of our ministries.
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News and Events
Men's retreat scheduled for August 15, between 9am-3pm.
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