HISTORY OF SAINT JOSEPH ABBEY

History of Saint Joseph Abbey

Saint Joseph Priory and Seminary, Gessen

In 1889, a small group of monks repeated the age-old process of Benedictine monastic expansion. The monks were invited to south Louisiana by the newly appointed Archbishop of New Orleans, Francis Janssens. The task set before them was to establish a monastery with the mission of operating a seminary in order to provide for a native clergy, as most of the Archdiocese’s clergy were French-born and French oriented. The site selected for the monastery and seminary was near Ponchatoula, in the civil parish of Tangipahoa. Because the monks were German, they met with resistance from some in the archdiocese during the early years.

The Early Years: Dates of Interest

  • 1889

    A small group of monks from Saint Meinrad Abbey headed South to establish a new Benedictine monastery with the mission of operating a seminary to provide for an indigenous clergy. They selected a site near Ponchatoula and named it “Gessen” after discovering Saint Joseph, LA was already established.

  • 1891

    The first seven students were enrolled in the new Saint Joseph Preparatory Seminary on the same day the buildings constructed for the monastery and seminary were blessed by Archbishop of New Orleans Fancis Janssens, who had requested the monks come South and operate a seminary in his diocese.

  • 1897

    When Archbishop Janssens died unexpectedly, the new archbishop, Louis Chapelle, withdrew his students from the seminary. But the monks continued training students for the monastery and added commercial courses to attract secular students. The school’s name was changed to Saint Joseph College.

  • 1902

    Weather, farming, and health conditions that played havoc on farming, as well as concerns over wetlands on the property, led the monks to believe they couldn’t succeed in Gessen. They learned of a large tract of land (1,200 acres) near Covington, purchased it, and moved to their new location in Saint Tammany Parish.

  • 1903

    Saint Meinrad Abbey petitioned Pope Leo XIII to grant independence to the Louisiana foundation, approval was granted, and Saint Joseph Priory was elevated to an independent abbey. Prior Paul Schaeuble, who had been appointed to that position in 1902, was appointed the first abbot of Saint Joseph Abbey.

  • 1907

    Just as new Archbishop James Blenk renewed New Orleans’ support for the seminary, disaster struck. Flames from an over-stoked furnace shot up the flue and found an opening and exposed wood. The fire destroyed the monastery and seminary buildings. Only a cast iron statue of Saint Joseph survived.

  • 1908

    After monks chose to rebuild rather than return to Saint Meinrad, donations began pouring in. The postmaster general established a post office at the monastery, and it was designated as Saint Benedict, LA. From that point on, the monastery and school became known affectionately by its nickname, Saint Ben’s.

  • 1911

    Even after their move in 1902, the monks continued ministering in Tangipahoa, St. Helena, and Livingston parishes. In 1911 they sold the Gessen property to the Dominicans, who were then entrusted with that mission field. The monks, then, were entrusted with the missions of St. Tammany and Washington parishes.

  • 1911

    While Archbishop Blenk was anxious to support the seminary, he didn’t want seminarians in the same classes as commercial students. With money from the Gessen sale, the monks purchased the vacant Dixon Academy in Covington to separate the two schools. The new school became Saint Paul’s College.

  • 1918

    The new Saint Paul’s College flourished, but operating it as well as the seminary at Saint Benedict was taxing on the monastery’s resources. Monks chose to concentrate on Saint Joseph Seminary and turned over operation of Saint Paul’s to the Christian Brothers, who purchased the school outright in 1921.

  • 1929

    The abbey and seminary were growing in numbers and prestige. The monks agreed to construct a new church at a cost of around $100,000 to meet the need for more space, to reflect the importance of prayer and liturgy in a monk’s life, and to bring greater dignity to the abbey. The new church was dedicated in 1932.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1958, three monks traveled from Saint Joseph Abbey to Esquipulas, Guatemala, to establish a monastery for native Central Americans. In 1982, the Guatemalan foundation was made independent and raised to the rank of abbey.

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In 1958, three monks traveled from Saint Joseph Abbey to Esquipulas, Guatemala, to establish a monastery for native Central Americans. In 1982, the Guatemalan foundation was made independent and raised to the rank of abbey. ✜

Prior to 1967, priests and brothers lived in separate residences.

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Prior to 1967, priests and brothers lived in separate residences. ✜

In the late 1950s, Fr. Malachy Burns began conducting weekend retreats for men during the summer months. These were highly successful, and in 1965 the Abbey Christian Life Center opened.

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In the late 1950s, Fr. Malachy Burns began conducting weekend retreats for men during the summer months. These were highly successful, and in 1965 the Abbey Christian Life Center opened. ✜

In 1960, the Abbey launched the KC Abbey Youth Camp on the property.

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In 1960, the Abbey launched the KC Abbey Youth Camp on the property. ✜

The Archdiocese of New Orleans revised its seminary program in 1964, and Saint Joseph became the college section of the new system. The last high school class graduated in 1967 and the school became Saint Joseph Seminary College.

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The Archdiocese of New Orleans revised its seminary program in 1964, and Saint Joseph became the college section of the new system. The last high school class graduated in 1967 and the school became Saint Joseph Seminary College. ✜

A Century of Grace

Do you want to learn more about the history of Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College? Get a copy of this pictorial history book, first published in 1989 and reprinted in 2011, from the Saint Joseph Abbey Gift Shop.