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SAINT BENEDICT ABBEY |
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Saint Benedict Abbey 252 Still River Road P.O. Box 67 Still River,. MA 01467 |
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To contact us: |
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Faithful to the Church, Faithful to Our Call, Guided By Our Lady |
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The Story of Saint Benedict Center’s Becoming Saint Benedict Abbey |
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For over fifteen years, Abbot Gabriel, Abbot of Saint Benedict Abbey in Still River, along with Owen Murphy, former Editor of the Worcester Free Press, have been compiling the facts about the student center in Harvard Square and its spiritual guide, Fr. Leonard Feeney. Together they have produced a well-written, highly personal account of the Center’s early days and the contentious debates with Harvard and ecclesiastical authorities, along with the Center’s struggles through chaotic upheavals and its eventual growth into a monastic community and a full-fledged Benedictine Abbey. Some readers come away from this story saddened by the dividedness and infighting, others are inspired by the steadfast fidelity of a community that remained fiercely loyal to the Church despite being victims of betrayal and ecclesiastical politics. No matter what your opinion, you will come away impressed that Abbot Gabriel and Owen Murphy have finally put an end to all the myths, half-truths and falsehoods which have swirled around Saint Benedict Center and Fr. Leonard Feeney for half a century. |
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From Hornell High to Harvard University, from Harvard Square to Harvard town, from university student to Benedictine Abbot, Abbot Gabriel has been not only an eye witness to the whole stormy history of Saint Benedict Center and Saint Benedict Abbey, he also was responsible for negotiating Fr. Feeney’s reconciliation and he led the community to its present status as a Benedictine Abbey. With amazing attention to detail, his memoir history makes you feel you’re part of the adventure and you’re excited to be there. |
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LEFT: In the 1940s, Abbot Gabriel, then J. Williams Gibbs, a Harvard undergrad, joined the embattled Fr. Leonard Feeney and St. Benedict Center. |
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RIGHT: As the 21st century dawned, the Abbot found himself visiting with the future Pope Benedict XVI. |
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Abbot Gabriel notes that the distance between life in the Harvard Yard (left) and life at the Abbey (right) is far greater than the 35 miles which separate the two. The university, despite its elegant setting, is an empty wasteland in terms of spiritual life. The Abbey, despite its seclusion, is a ever-flowing font of grace and Faith to all who visit . |
