Abbot Mark Braun Retreat House Blessed
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This week, the Abbot Mark Braun Retreat House will host its first gathering. Yesterday, February 10th, on the Feast of St. Scholastica, Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, OSB blessed the new facility with the monastic community, staff members and other guests in attendance. Numerous donors stepped forward to make this much needed facility possible. The retreat house features 60 single-occupancy rooms, conference rooms, break-out rooms and a chapel.
Abbot's Table is Here!
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Tickets and Sponsorships are now available for the 2025 Abbot's Table on May 2, 2025 at the Petroleum Club in Oklahoma City. Enjoy this splendid evening of fine wines and elegant dinner. There will be numerous ways to support the Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey including silent and live auctions, raffles, "fund-a-need" appeal, virtual parties, gift registries, and event donations. This year's fund-a-need will go toward the renovation of Sacred Heart Abbey mission site in preparation for the Sesquicentennial!
In addition to credit cards, cash and checks, this year's Abbot's Table will also be accepting Venmo and Pay Pal for payment of tickets, sponsorships, auction items, raffle tickets and other donations. Venmo and Pay Pal payments should be sent directly to the Abbey- recipient name "monksok"- with information (i.e. Abbot's Table tickets, etc.) in the memo line.
REGISTER FOR THE 2025 ABBOT'S TABLE
St. Gregory's Abbey named Jubilee Pilgrimage Site
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The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has selected St. Gregory's Abbey as a Jubilee Pilgrimage Site.
Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City writes, "Every Jubilee year offers an opportunity to make a pilgrimage. Pope Francis is inviting us to the Holy Doors in Rome. These special doors at each of the four major basilicas of Rome are a sign of God's mercy and a physical symbol of our entrance into a new relationship with him through baptism.
Though no Holy Doors will be opened outside of Rome, the Holy Father has permitted bishops to designate sacred places as Jubilee sites. These sites serve as local pilgrimage destinations. I invite you to visit the following Jubilee sites in our archdiocese during the Jubilee year: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Oklahoma City), Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine (Oklahoma City), Saint Gregory’s Abbey (Shawnee), Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Okarche), the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima (Bison), and the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Prague).
Every Jubilee year affords the faithful the opportunity of gaining an extraordinary indulgence. Pope Francis describes an indulgence as “a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy. Not by chance, for the ancients, the terms ‘mercy’ and ‘indulgence’ were interchangeable as expressions of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows no bounds” (Spes non Confundit, 23).
By walking through the Holy Doors in Rome, making a pilgrimage to attend Mass at a Jubilee site or praying at a Jubilee site anywhere in the world, you may receive a plenary indulgence provided you fulfill the usual norms. Furthermore, works of mercy and penance are occasions for the faithful to obtain a plenary indulgence in this Jubilee year."
The Sooner Catholic article link
Abbey Ornaments Now Available
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The new Abbey Christmas ornament is now available starting tomorrow, December 13th in the Monks' Marketplace and for order on E-Bay for shipping around the country. Cost is $30.
The ornaments are wonderful gifts for friends, family and St. Gregory's Alumni! The image is the back windows of the Abbey Church, with St. Gregory the Great in the middle.
Click the link below to go order the ornament off E-Bay
Support the Retreat House on Giving Tuesday!
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Frank Cleary, SGC and SGU alum, has been named the Coordinator of Abbey Outreach and the Director of the Abbot Mark Braun Retreat House. We invite you to listen to his message, and prayerfully ask for your consideration. Click Here to Watch
PayPal and Venmo Now Accepted for Donations
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Donating to St. Gregory's Abbey has been made even easier! Donors may choose to donate thru their PayPal or Venmo accounts directly to the Abbey. In addition, we will have both available for Giving Tuesday (December 3) and for ticket, auction and donation payments at Abbot's Table 2025. Our ID for both Venmo and Pay Pal is @monksok. Please write in the memo line which appeal you are donating toward (i.e. Annual Appeal, Giving Tuesday, etc.).
2024 Annual Appeal Underway
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Update- we have reached 70% of our goal! Help us over the top!
We prayerfully ask for your consideration of our 2024 Annual Appeal. It is our largest single appeal each year. Throughout the year, your donations and our external funding makes up 47% of our annual revenues. This year's Annual Appeal goal is $200,000! If you didn't receive a packet in the mail this past week, or wish to pay on-line, you can click below to donate. Thank you for supporting St. Gregory's Abbey!
Spring 2025 Days of Reflections Announced
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The first three Days of Reflection for Spring 2025 have been announced and registration is now open! Fr. Peter Shults will start the series on January 11th with "Beauty So Ancient and So New: Falling in Love with the Mass Again" on January 11th. The second presentation will be "A Day of Silence with Repentance with the Psalms" on February 8th. In March, Fr. Tom Boyer, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City will present "A 2025 Journey from Nazareth to Jerusalem" a program based on the Gospel of St. Luke. Additional descriptions are on our website: https://monksok.org/news/days-of-reflection.
Each day will begin with Mass at 8:30 a.m. and end after adoration around 3:00 p.m. Cost is $30 per presentation (if paid in advance) or $35 if paid at the door. Preregistration is required. Lunch is included. Register by clicking the links at https://monksok.org/news/days-of-reflection, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 405.878.5656.
Progress at Abbot Mark Braun Retreat House
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Earliest this summer, the announcement was made regarding the historic land swap with Oklahoma Baptist University allowing the return of the St. Gregory's University campus back to the Abbey. The first big project has been preparing Mark Braun Hall to become our Abbey Retreat House. Over the past several months the maintenance staff, lead by SGU Alumnus Rick Gowin (Abbey Chief Operations Director) has been busy reopening the building- plumbing upgrades, replacing natural gas lines, new lighting, repairing HVAC and massive amounts of cleaning. This week painting has started as well as moving out old furnishings. SGU Alumnus Frank Cleary has been hired to lead the retreat house and conference center. Watch for another clean-up day!
News9 airs feature story about Abbey
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After being introduced to St. Gregory's Abbey through our food truck at the State Fair. Channel 9 came to the abbey a few weeks ago and spent five hours shooting footage and interviewing members of our community. The final story aired today, October 24th. Click the link below to watch the story!
Fall Oblate Sundays Scheduled
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The Fall Oblate Sundays for Shawnee has been scheduled. Shawnee is scheduled for November 10th. The California Oblate Day in Montebello has been postponed.
Mission Monks Food Truck to Debut at Oklahoma State Fair
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Attention State Fair of Oklahoma attendees! Look for the Mission Monks Food Truck- "Oklahoma Steak Bistro" - serving up delicacies using Mission Monks Beef! The food truck will be located near the giant ferris wheel. St. Gregory's Abbey will also have a booth inside the NW corner of the Bennett Center, and we will have Mission Monks honey for sale.
Br. John Michael Nguyen Professes Solemn Vows
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On Tuesday, September 3rd, the Solemnity of St. Gregory the Great, Br. John Michael Nguyen, OSB professed his solemn vows at St. Gregory's Abbey. He was joined by the monastic community, his family, friends and Oblates in the Abbey church and later at the reception in the Conference Center.
Br. John Michael to Profess Solemn Vows
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The Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey invite you for the Solemn Profession of Br. John Michael Nguyen, OSB on Tuesday, September 3rd on the Solemnity of St. Gregory the Great, in the Abbey Church. The Mass and Solemn Profession will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend at https://stgreg-shaw.solutiosoftware.com/pray-with-us/liturgies
Cattle Herd Restoration
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Over the past couple of months, the Abbey has lost several cattle due to vandals. The police are investigating these incidents. Meanwhile, the Abbey has lost approximately $25,000-$30,000 worth of beef. Generous folks have asked to donate to help the monastery recoup some of these losses. If you wish to help click the link below! Your generosity is very much appreciated and will help our monastic community to continue its mission!
Silver Jubilee
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Br. George Hubl, OSB celebrated his Silver Jubilee as a Monk at Mass and a reception on Saturday, August 3rd at St. Gregory's Abbey.
Around the World With the Blessed Mother
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Alumni Campus Spruce-Up Day Scheduled!
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Attention Alumni! We are having a special campus spruce-up day just for you! Join us on August 31st starting at 8 a.m. for both INDOOR and outdoor work!
Oklahoma Baptist University and St. Gregory’s Abbey Announce Land Exchange Deal
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On behalf of the monks, I happily share some historic and exciting news from the Abbey on this Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the 147th anniversary of the beginning of the liturgical life of our community. The entirety of the former campus of St. Gregory's High School, College and University once again is dedicated to the life and ministries of the monks of St. Gregory's Abbey!
Pentecost Picnic Alumni Gathering - May 19th
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Pentecost Picnic Alumni Gathering
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Divine Mercy Day of Reflection Scheduled for June
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The Abbey invites you to a Day of Reflection on June 22, 2024 presented by Jad Ziolkowska. As Catholic Christians, we all feel a special comfort to the Divine Mercy Image. However, when
we see the words "Jesus, I trust in You," we may feel our faith challenged. What does it mean to trust in our Lord? How do we grow into this grace of always trusting his Divine Will? What are
some practical steps that we can begin to take to trust Him? Our guest speaker, Jad Ziolkowska, Consecrated Virgin for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, will lead us in a reflection on these
important questions to help us better comprehend the beauty of trusting in Christ. Join us and allow the Divine Mercy Image to come alive before your spiritual eyes like never before as we
listen to our guest speaker for the month of June.
To register for "Jesus I Trust in You: the Practicality of Everyday Trust" click on the link below, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 405.878.5296. The cost is $30 per person (lunch included) if pre-paid or $35 at the door. Pre-registration is required. The day begins with Mass at 8:30 a.m. and ends after Adoration around 3:00 p.m.
Fr. Phil Seeton to Present May Day of Reflection
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Triduum and Easter Schedule
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Silence and Communion - Day of Reflection
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In today's world, we are inundated by noise making times of silence almost endangered. The noise deprives our spirits of this critical facet of the spiritual life and one that is integral to prayer. In fact, many people often comment that they find silence foreign and frightening. Yet, it is in exterior and interior silence that we are able to commune with our Lord in a deeper and more profound way. Come be our guest at the Abbey for a day of silence and recollection with Fr. Peter Shults where we will explore and discover why silence is crucial to the monastic charism. Note that this Day of Reflection will have limited conferences in order to better facilitate the retreatants' experience of monastic silence.
Silence and Communion - April 20, 2024- Moderated by Fr. Peter Shults, OSB
Cost is $30 per person (if pre-paid), or $35 if paid at the door. Pre-Registration is required. Lunch is included. To register, click the link below or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or call 405.878.5296. The day begins with Mass at 8:30 a.m. and ends after adoration around 3:00 p.m.
Living the Liturgy: Learning from Maronite Spirituality
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Powerful Prayer in the Medal of St. Benedict
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The January Day of Reflection
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Passing of Fr. Nicholas Ast, OSB
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Fr. Nicholas was born on November 13, 1963, and raised in Colwich, KS, where he was a member of Sacred Heart Parish. After completing high school at Andale High School, he attended St. Gregory’s College earning an Associate of Arts degree and named as co-valedictorian of his class. He then completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Newman University in Wichita, KS, majoring in both English and History.
He entered the novitiate at St. Gregory’s Abbey on July 10, 1989, and professed vows as a monk on July 11, 1990. He continued his academic formation at Wichita State University, earning a Master of Science in American History. He pursued seminary formation at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA, completing a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 22, 2001.
Within the monastery, Fr. Nicholas served on various occasions as a member of the Senior Council, assisted with the formation of novices, and for several years as Director of Oblates. His primary work assignment was service on the faculty and staff of St. Gregory’s College and University. He taught courses in American and European history, Western Civilization and Sacred Scripture. He was a beloved instructor, bringing to his classes both thorough preparation and an engaging sense of humor. He assisted with several student organizations, including as sponsor of the Student Alumni Council and as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Gregory’s. He eventually served as Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries and as Vice President for Mission and Identity. Students named him “Faculty Member of the Year” for several consecutive years, and also “Most Inspirational Staff Member” on several occasions. Many alumni remained in touch with him, inviting him to celebrate with them significant moments in their lives. In addition to his campus assignments, Fr. Nicholas frequently provided weekend supply ministry at parishes throughout Oklahoma. He was an excellent homilist.
Strengthened by the sacraments of the Church, Fr. Nicholas died in the Abbey infirmary from complications following an acute infection leading to open heart surgery. Fr. Nicholas deeply valued his vocation and his close relationship with his family. He is survived by the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, his mother Mary Ann Ast of Colwich, KS, and brothers Jim (Tina) Ast, Steve (Jeanne) Ast, and Joe (Sandy) Ast. He is predeceased by his father, Aemil Ast.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Abbey Church on Wednesday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. Interment followed in the Abbey Cemetery. Click here to view the video from the funeral Mass.