CULLMAN, Ala. – On Wednesday, July 29, bells rang out over the St. Bernard campus to announce the election of the Right Reverend Brendan John Seipel, of the Order of Saint Benedict, as the Abbot of Saint Bernard Abbey. Abbot Brendan is the 11th Abbot in St. Bernard’s 135-year history.
The election process began on June 15, when the monks gathered in the Abbey Church to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, invoking the Paraclete’s wisdom and guidance throughout the election process. The Right Rev. Jonathan R. Licari, O.S.B., abbot president of the American-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monks, was the principal celebrant for the Mass and presided at the election, in which the monks in solemn vows took part. After temporarily recessing the election chapter until canonical recourse could be made to the Holy See, Abbot Jonathan reopened the election chapter on July 29, when Abbot Brendan was formally elected and confirmed.
Immediately following the election chapter, the monks gathered for a service of thanksgiving in the Abbey Church, where Abbot Brendan presided. Joining the monks for this festive occasion were the Most Rev. Steven J. Raica, bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, and the Most Rev. Robert J. Baker, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Birmingham, as well as priests of the Diocese, Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery and a host of lay faithful who came to give thanks to God.
Abbot Brendan assumes responsibility as spiritual and temporal leader of St. Bernard immediately; as is customary, the formal blessing of the new Abbot will take place in the coming months.
Abbot Brendan, a native of Lanesville, Indiana, entered St. Bernard Abbey in 2002 and professed vows as a Benedictine monk on March 21, 2004. Over the years, he has served in various roles at St. Bernard, including guest master, director of the St. Boniface Retreat Center, director of the Abbey Farm, member of the Senior Council and as Subprior and Prior.
