News

Recent News

Below you will find news stories from the current year. Please click on the story to read the full story and access any photos or media. To the left, there will soon be links to access an archive of past news items dating back to 2008.

News Archive

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  • Pilgrimage of Hope: Rosary, Mass, and Reflection

    On Saturday, August 9 2025 at 10am, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will be hosting a Pilgrimage of Hope to Experience God’s Love and Healing for those struggling with mental health issues. There will be a rosary, mass and reflections by Rev. Quinn Conners, O.Carm., Ph.D. Please click on this flyer to read more about the event. Read More

  • RIP: Fr. Michael Hall

    It is with a mixture of human sadness and Christian hope that we are writing to inform you of the death of Fr. Michael Hall, who died yesterday morning after a long illness. He had been a monk at St. Anselm’s for sixty-seven years, was a graduate of our own school with the class of 1956, and subsequently served both the abbey and school in many ways. We will receive his body into our church… Read More

  • Abbey Phone Work — Completed

    The Abbey phones are back to their normal operation. You can once again reach the Abbey by calling 202-269-2300. Read More

  • Enrollment of Two Oblate Novices

    At our March oblate meeting, Father Ignacio conducted an Enrollment ceremony for our two new Novices, Jennifer Chalmers and Teresa Martinez. We welcome them to our community as they begin their year of Formation, and we look forward to their Oblation ceremony in the future. Two other candidates were unable to attend this ceremony but will be enrolled at the next Oblate meeting on April 7. Read More

  • Clothing of Br. Maximilian

    On February 29, 2024, John Castonguay was clothed as a novice of our community. He will spend the next year learning to be a monk while the community sees if he “truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials” (RB 58:7). He will be known in religious life as Br Maximilian after St Maximilian Kolbe. Please pray for him. Read More

  • Oblate Retreat

    Our annual retreat, with the theme “Islands of Silence”, was an opportunity for our oblates to gather and to step away from our busy world and take some time for reflection and prayer. The retreat took place during the the first weekend of Lent, February 16-18, at the Washington Retreat House. Our Retreat Director was Father Jay Kythe, OSB, of Saint Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, Kansas. Fr. Jay hails from New Orleans, LA, the son of… Read More

  • Br. Cyprian Makes Temporary Vows

    Br. Cyprian’s second year of novitiate ended on the feast of the Presentation on February 2, 2024. At that time he became a full-fledged “junior” in temporary vows and will still be under the direction of our formation director, Fr. Samuel. To learn more about Br. Cyprian, visit his profile. Read More

  • Christmastide Celebrations, Oblates and Special Guests

    Many members of the monastic community worked hard in preparing for the celebration of Christmastide. This included the decoration of the church and other parts of the monastery with Christmas trees and lights, including beautiful lights at both ends of the cloister garden. As the season drew to a close, we received the oblation of Nicholas Peake during Mass on the solemnity of the Epiphany, with many of our other lay oblates in attendance (see… Read More

  • In Memoriam: Br. Matthew Nylund

    In Memoriam : Br. Matthew Nylund We are saddened to announce that Br. Matthew Nylund has died. He was found in his room this morning having apparently suffered a fall during the night. Br. Matthew was 85th year of his life and the 35th year of his monastic profession. Reception of the Body was at 4:30pm on Monday, November 27th. You can view a video of the ceremony on our YouTube channel. The Funeral was… Read More

  • Blessing of the Graves

    Each year on the first Sunday in November, there is a procession after Mass to our cemetery for the blessing of the graves of our monks (and the reading of all their names). Our prior, Fr. Philip Simo, was the main celebrant at the Mass and officiated at the service in the cemetery, which was preceded by a procession during we sang the Litany of the Saints and other pieces of music. Read More