Programs and Events
of the Mount Angel Institute

Holy Land Pilgrimage 2023
Israel and Palestine

led by Fr. Odo Recker, OSB with Fr. Timothy Kalange, OSB

May 7 – 20  |  Register by March 30

Come join Fr. Odo Recker, O.S.B., and Fr. Timothy Kalange, O.S.B., on a 12-day pilgrimage, May 7–20, to Israel and Palestine! Immerse yourself in the places of the Holy Land where the Son of God first preached the Father’s love, performed miracles and healings, suffered and died on the cross, and rose again for our salvation. Begin the experience in Galilee, visit the Mount of Beatitudes and stand where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes. Feel the joy of the Wedding Feast at Cana and continue the pilgrimage all the way to Jerusalem. While still in the liturgical season of Easter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, walk the Via Dolorosa, and see the tomb of Christ.

Click here to learn more.

Cardinal George’s Simply Catholicism

with Michael Heinlein

May 16 | 3:30 – 5 pm
Abbey library auditorium

Undergirded by his unique background and experiences, Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I., offered the Church a one-of-a-kind leadership with his nuanced, insightful wisdom. Through his wisdom and witness, Cardinal George offered the Church a style of life he called “simply Catholicism”. Michael Heinlein, the author of the new book, Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I, will share some of the wonderful insights Cardinal George shared throughout his life as a Catholic and shepherd of the Church.

Scott Kritzer and Mario Diaz in Concert

June 26 | 8 pm
Abbey library auditorium

Join us for an evening of classical guitar with Scott Kritzer and Mario Diaz. This intimate concert, an initiative of the Mount Angel Institute, seeks to elicit Mount Angel Abbey’s rich way of promoting arts and culture by offering a free evening of beautiful music in our Aalto library auditorium. Refreshments will be served.

Scott Kritzer has performed in London’s Wigmore Hall, Lutheran Hall and the city of Sapporo, Japan. He has performed in series that have included Itzhak Perlman, Ivo Pogorelić, Cecilia Bartoli, and the Emerson and Kronos string quartets. In 1996, Oregon Senator Mark O. Hatfield chose Mr. Kritzer to represent the state of Oregon in a special performance at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Michael Hermes in Concert

June 30 | 8 pm
Abbey library auditorium

Join us for an evening with guitarist, songwriter, and producer, Michael Hermes. Growing up in Happy Valley, Oregon, Hermes displayed a passion for music from an early age. His musical taste was unique, listening to film scores and progressive rock in his free time. Fourteen years later, he has released several EPs and singles that have received highly favorable feedback from veterans in the music industry.

Michael Hermes’ discography expresses motivation and passion to listeners all around the world. As his compositions reflect personal experiences, his fans can relate and connect with the diverse emotions that are painted within his music. With each subsequent release – from 2016’s ‘Wonders of the Unknown’ to 2019’s ‘Hit the Eyes’ – Hermes diversifies his profile, reinventing the progressive-rock genre and standing apart from the crowd.

Michael Hermes’ EP, Hit the Eyes, released February 10, 2019, shares his journey of self-awareness as events in Hermes’ life have formed a new perspective. Throughout the album, thick and powerful drums and bass lay down the foundation for creative guitar melodies, held together by enormous, non-intrusive atmospheres. The consistent balance of storytelling, soloing, and guitar riffs engage the listener until the very end.

Saint Benedict Festival

July 8 | Noon to 4 pm
Mount Angel Abbey

Join us this summer to celebrate the feast of our Holy Father Saint Benedict! The 2023 festival begins with noon prayer in the Abbey church and concludes with a procession on the Hilltop with a statue of St. Benedict, ending in the church with vespers at 4 pm. Here are a few things to look forward to this summer:

• A gourmet picnic lunch on the Hilltop.
• Special exhibits that share our Benedictine monastic life.
• Benedictine Brewery beer, including the NEW Bourbon Barrel-aged beer.
• Local Oregon wines.
• Live music.

Click here to learn more.

Abbey Bach Festival

July 26, 27, & 28 | 5:20 – 9 pm
Mount Angel Abbey

We welcome you to our Hilltop home for three nights of classical music performed by world-class musicians, including the Cavatina Duo, pianist Alon Goldstein, violinist Philippe Quint, and more!

Click here to learn more.

Beginning Intensive Iconography Retreat

with the Classical Iconography Institute

July 31 – August 4 | 8 am – 4:30 pm
Saint Benedict Guesthouse and Retreat Center

The Classical Iconography Institute returns to Mount Angel with class sessions organized around the Liturgy of the Hours and monastic mealtimes. Beginning students start the program by first writing The Mandylion (Holy Face of Christ), with expert instruction from Ania Kocurek-Williams and Fernanda DeClercq – combined, they offer 40 years of experience.

Classical Iconography Institute is dedicated to training iconographers capable of writing liturgical icons for the Church. The Institute continues the legacy of the Iconographic Arts Institute, founded at Mount Angel Abbey in 1987, which focused on the most ancient tradition and methods of sacred iconography from instruction by master iconographers. In 2022, the Iconographic Arts Institute nonprofit experienced a change in leadership and a new location, expanding its scope to year-round traditional instruction in sacred iconography. Classical Iconography Institute’s teaching studio is at St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Oregon.

For further information, please visit classicaliconography.org. To reserve a space, please contact Christine Thum Schlesser at director@classicaliconography.org or call or text 503.710.8800.

Preaching Matthew

with Fr. Stephen Rowan
Wednesday-Thursday, December 14-15

This two-day workshop presents a series of reflections on Matthew’s Gospel, intended to give priests an overview of the Gospel’s themes for Year A of the liturgical year in the context of fellowship, prayer, and relaxation on the grounds of Mount Angel Abbey. Fr. Stephen Rowan, our presenter, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle and a faculty member at Mount Angel Seminary.

To make reservations, please contact the guesthouse at 503.845.3025 or email retreat@mtangel.edu.

Cost: Free Will Offering
Note: This workshop is limited to 35 participants.