Abbot Gregory Boquet, O.S.B., received the Abbatial Blessing on Sunday afternoon during a Mass in the Abbey Church that was attended by fellow monks, family and friends, seminarians, and a large number of bishops, and priests.

The Most Rev. Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans, conferred the blessing on the abbot.

Abbot Gregory was elected the sixth abbot of Saint Joseph Abbey on July 14. Previously, he served as president-rector of Saint Joseph Seminary College for the past 25 years.

During the blessing, Archbishop Aymond read the second chapter of the Rule of Saint Benedict and questioned Abbot Gregory on his readiness to accept responsibility of his new office. He was also entrusted with the signs of the Abbot’s office: the Rule of Saint Benedict, the ring, the miter, and the crozier.