Swiss-American Congregation Explained

Swiss American Congregation
Abbreviation:Post-nominal letters: O.S.B.
Nickname:Benedictines
Founders:Fintan Mundwiler
Frowin Conrad
Type:Benedictine Congregation
Region Served:North and South America
Num Members:447 monks as of 2020
Leader Title:Abbot President
Leader Name:Abbot Justin Brown
Main Organ:Benedictine Confederation
Affiliations:Roman Catholic Church
Website:Official website

The Swiss-American Congregation is an association of Benedictine monasteries founded in 1881 in the United States, as a part of the international Benedictine Confederation of monasteries.

History

During the 19th century, a number of Benedictine monasteries had been founded in the United States by monks coming from monasteries in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. The fortunes of Roman Catholic institutions in Switzerland were turbulent, especially in the 19th century. All were dissolved as a consequence of the French Revolution in 1798, but were restored by Napoleonic decree in 1803, with the exception of the Abbey of St. Gall, where the Prince-Abbot refused to make the necessary political concessions. The anti-monastic policies of the Swiss cantons, however, later brought about the dissolution of monasteries in Pfäfers (1838), Muri (1841), Fischingen (1848) and Rheinau (1863).

The outlook for Swiss Roman Catholics during the Kulturkampf was so bleak that the ancient Abbeys of Einsiedeln and Engelberg began a program of establishing new monasteries in the United States, so that the remaining Swiss monasteries would have a refuge if they were all exiled. Those pioneer monks also were to serve the large number of German people who had emigrated there. As their offshoots, these new communities remained a part of the Swiss Confederation of Benedictine monasteries.[1]

By 1881 the number of such communities had grown that it was felt appropriate to separate them from the authority of the mother country. Accordingly, Pope Leo XIII authorized the creation of this congregation on April 5, 1881, under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.[2]

Current status

The Congregation, as of 2019, is composed of abbeys and priories throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Guatemala. The Congregation numbers about 447 monks.[3]

Current members

Dependent Priories

Former Presidents

These are the former presidents:[6]

  1. Rt. Rev. Fintan Mundwiler, O.S.B. (1881–1898)
  2. Rt. Rev. Frowin Conrad, O.S.B. (1898–1922)
  3. Rt. Rev. Philip Ruggle, O.S.B. (1922–1936)
  4. Rt. Rev. Columban Thuis, O.S.B. (1937–1957)
  5. Rt. Rev. Stephen Schappler, O.S.B. (1957–1961)
  6. Rt. Rev. Gilbert Hess, O.S.B. (1961–1965)
  7. Rt. Rev. David Melancon, O.S.B. (1965–1978)
  8. Rt. Rev. Raphael DeSalvo, O.S.B. (1978–1984)
  9. Rt. Rev. Jerome Hanus, O.S.B. (1984–1987)
  10. Rt. Rev. Patrick Regan, O.S.B. (1987–1999)
  11. Rt. Rev. Peter Eberle, O.S.B. (1999–2011)
  12. Rt. Rev. Vincent de Paul Bataille, O.S.B. (2011-2023)

Current President

The current Abbot President is Abbot Justin Brown elected in 2023. He resides at Saint Joseph Abbey (Louisiana) located in Saint Benedict, Louisiana.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 400 Jahre Schweizerische Benediktinerkongregation. Kirche in der Schweiz. Schenker. Lukas, Abt. de.
  2. Web site: The Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation. The Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation.
  3. Web site: Summary of the Congregation.
  4. Web site: The Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation Catalog 2020, p. 24.
  5. Web site: The Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation Catalog 2020, p. 25.
  6. Web site: The Swiss–American Benedictine Congregation Catalog 2020, p. 3.
  7. Web site: News .

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