Abbot David Altman receives Abbatial blessing

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

Trappist Abbot David Altman kneels before Bishop John C. Wester to receive the Abbatial blessing. Above, Abbot David receives the Shepherd's Staff from Bishop Wester, a symbol of the love and care he is entrusted to give to his brother monks. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

HUNTSVILLE — "The primary reason for our presence in this time and place is to speak for God with our lives, in order to give His life," Trappist Abbot David Altman said in the homily of the Mass Aug. 29 in which he received the Abbatial Blessing of Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City. "That is the primary reason our God is here, because we are here, offering and accepting His presence and His message of life. The call of our Heavenly Father is to speak and act as He does, always in life-giving ways. He has assigned each of us to make a statement with out lives, the statement He has made: ‘I give you my life.’"

The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville was abuzz with activity that Wednesday morning as the monks prepared for the historic blessing of their newly elected abbot, Rt. Rev.David Altman, a convert from Judaism and a member of the monastery since 1966. Elected and installed July 5, Abbot David succeeds Rt. Rev. Casimir Bernas, and will oversee all aspects of the abbey for the next six years.

The word "abbot" comes to us from the Aramaic – ab (meaning "father") or aba ("my father") and it is as a father that Abbot David is now called to lead the monks – fathers and brothers – of the monastery.

Bishop Wester welcomed all visitors, including visiting abbots from Trappist Monasteries in Gesthemeni, Kentucky and Genesee, New York. The abbey in Huntsville is a filiation of the abbey in Gesthemeni, Kentucky, from which it was founded.

After the abbot’s homily, Bishop Wester asked him the traditional questions about matters concerning the office of abbot and his determination to observe the "Rule of St. Benedict," his diligence in leading his brothers and encouraging them in, "the love of God, in the life of the Gospel, and in fraternal charity."

The abbot promised to persevere, to be faithful in watching over the goods of the monastery, and to be loyal and obedient to the church and to the pope.

Then Bishop Wester and Abbot David knelt for the praying of the Litany of the Saints.

During the Prayer of Blessing, Abbot David knelt before the bishop, who then bestowed upon him the "Rule of St. Benedict" and the Shepherd’s Staff, then gave the abbot a kiss of peace.

As the Mass progressed, the monks of the abbey and priests of the diocese gathered around the altar for the Consecration.

The Mass was followed by a light lunch on the lawn of the monastery. Members of the Huntsville stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped prepare for the luncheon and also helped serve the meal.