Monastic Community Elects Eleventh Abbot

With joy and thanksgiving to God our Father, the monks of Mount Angel Abbey
announce the election of their brother in Christ, PRIOR GREGORY
DUERR, O.S.B., as abbot on November 18, 2009. Abbot Gregory is the 11th
abbot of the 127-year-old monastic community of Mount Angel.
Abbot Vincent Bataille of Marmion Abbey, in the name of Abbot Peter Eberle,
the Abbot President of the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation to which
Mount Angel belongs, presided at and confirmed the election. Abbot Gregory
succeeds Abbot Nathan Zodrow, O.S.B., who resigned August 1, having served
as abbot for eight years. Before his election the new abbot was serving the
community as prior and novice master.

Abbot Gregory was born in Pierz, Minnesota, in 1937, and in 1943 his family
moved from Minnesota to Mt. Angel, Oregon. He has seven sisters, two of
whom are deceased. His parents, Leo and Loretta Fleckenstein Duerr, are likewise
deceased. Abbot Gregory entered Mount Angel Abbey as a novice in
1957, professed temporary vows on September 8, 1958, and made his solemn
vows on September 12, 1961. He was ordained to the priesthood by Arcbishop
Edward D. Howard of Portland on May 7, 1964. He holds degrees in
classical languages (University of Washington) and in formative spirituality
(Duquesne University).

Archbishop John G. Vlazny, the Archbishop of Portland in Oregon will visit Mount Angel Abbey on Friday, February 26, 2010 in order to confer the abbatial blessing. With the presence of the Archbishop, the Church offers Her blessing and bestows the pontifical regalia of the office of Abbot, namely: the ring, crosier and mitre. The event will take place at 2:00 p.m. in the Abbey church.

Please join the monks of Mount Angel Abbey in praying for their new abbot so
that, united in the bonds of charity and peace, they may with great devotion
and zeal continue in their pilgrimage to the heavenly homeland, witnessing to
their love of God and neighbor through lives dedicated to prayer and work.

The Monks of Mount Angel Abbey
St. Benedict, Oregon