Denver Catholic

10 AUGUST 24-SEPTEMBER 14, 2019 | DENVER CATHOLIC Around the Archdiocese Uniting Your Faith and Finances facebook.com/FidelisCatholicCreditUnion @FidelisCatholicCreditUnion Call: 303.424.5037 Click: Fideliscu.org or Come by today FOLLOW US Uniting your Faith and Finances for over 65 years Local banking with Catholic Values. Become a member Today! MT. OLIVET CATHOLIC CEMETERY 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO (303) 424-7785 ARCHDIOCESE OF DENVER MORTUARY Serving the greater Denver area (303) 425-9511 ST. SIMEON CATHOLIC CEMETERY 22001 E. State Hwy. 30, Aurora, CO (720) 859-9785 Peace of Mind for your Family with Pre-Planning More info at cfcsColorado.org A Ministry of The Archdiocese of Denver O n Aug. 10, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila gave the abbatial blessing confirming Father Charles Albanese, a Cistercian of the Strict Observance (or Trappist) monk, as abbot of St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass. The rite took place during a Mass at the monastery, which is located near Aspen. Father Albanese, 68, is just the third monk to serve that role at St. Benedict's, which was founded in 1956 and is home to 11 monks ranging in age from 30 to 88. He succeeds Father Joseph Boyle, OCSO, who was abbot from 1985 until his death last October. Father Albanese was elected by his brother monks in January and installed by Abbot Damien Carr, OCSO, of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Mass., the same month. The abbatial blessing, however, is typically conferred by the local bishop. The sixth-century Rule of St. Bene- dict, which the monks follow, explains that abbot means abba (father). It also notes that the abbot is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monas- tery. In his homily, Archbishop Aquila addressed both of those aspects of Father Albanese's role. "In the blessing for the abbot, it speaks of the abbot as being a father to the monks. That is the unique relationship entrusted to you and it means prayerfully refl ecting on the deep intimacy Jesus had with the Father. [And like him] of seeking only the will of the Father. "Any of us who are called to author- ity know in our heart of hearts that we are unworthy of that authority and of what the Church calls us to be," he said, gently urging the abbot to trust that God will provide and reminding him that the Holy Spirit accompanies him. "In the role of abbot you have been chosen and elected by your brothers… to serve. As the Rule states clearly, you are to be about the salvation of souls. You are called to imitate Jesus. To be Trappist monk gets blessing confi rming his role as abbot BY ROXANNE KING Father Charles Albanese is just the third abbot in Snowmass monastery's 63-year history Father Albanese is only the third monk to serve as abbot of St. Benedict's Monastery, which was founded in 1956. The monks support themselves through a retreat house, cattle ranching, a bookstore/gift shop and a cookie business.

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