CV NEWS FEED // The monks of a historic Benedictine abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, have elected a new abbot.
The monks of St. John’s Abbey elected Abbot Douglas Mullin on January 9, making him the 11th abbot in the abbey’s 160-year-old history. He replaced former Abbot John Klassen, who retired on January 7 after serving the Benedictine community for 23 years.
According to an announcement from the Abbey, Mullin took his vows in 1979 and was ordained in 2007. He has several degrees in education as well as a master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate in educational leadership.
The Abbey is home to St. John’s Preparatory School and St. John’s University, and Mullin has served both schools in various ways. He has also served as the subprior of the Abbey and served as chaplain at the St. Cloud Veteran Administration’s medical center until his election.
“The abbatial blessing contains an exquisite phrase that asks God’s grace upon the newly elected abbot: ‘Give him a heart full of compassion, wisdom, and zeal, so that he may not lose even one of the flock entrusted to his charge,’ the Abbey stated in an announcement. “Abbot Douglas will no doubt bring such a loving heart to his new responsibilities as he continues in the long heritage of faith and holiness that has marked the life of the monastery of Saint John’s Abbey.”
St. John’s Abbey was founded in 1856, and St. John’s College was founded shortly after. Both the Abbey and the school grew quickly, and the monastic community peaked in the 1950s at over 400 monks. At 98 monks today, the Abbey continues to serve the surrounding community through various schools and ministries.
