Saint John's Confers Highest Award to Abbot Primate
Release Date: July 4, 2006
COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. — Saint John's Abbey and University will give their highest honor, the Pax Christi Award, to Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, OSB, at 7:45 p.m., Tuesday, July 4, in the Great Hall. The award will be presented as part of the "One Heart, One Soul: Many Communities" monastic institute scheduled for July 1-7. The Pax Christi Award is intended to honor those whose lives exemplify such Benedictine ideals as serving humanity.
As abbot primate, Notker is the highest representative of the women and men in the Benedictine Order worldwide, and he serves as abbot of Saint Anselmo Abbey, Rome. There are more than 16,000 Benedictine women and 8,000 Benedictine men living in monastic communities. A native of Germany, Notker was elected abbot primate in September 2000.
The institute planners cite a dynamic, widespread interest in religious community and monasticism and report that new monastic communities are springing up in unexpected forms, places and denominations. As part of Saint John's 150th anniversary celebration the Saint John's School of Theology/Seminary is hosting this six-day institute to foster conversation among members and scholars of the various forms community life.
William J. Cahoy, dean of the School of Theology/Seminary, credits Notker with "extraordinary contributions to strengthening Benedictine monasticism worldwide, and especially in Africa and part of Asia." According to Cahoy, "Abbot Notker's vision and leadership have resulted in establishing priories and hospitals, and he has urged Benedictines around the world to seek new ways to reach out in service to others.
Saint John's Abbot John Klassen, OSB, describes the Pax Christi Award recipient as a man of rare breadth. "He earned his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Munich and, along the way, he studied theology, zoology, the history of astronomy and inorganic chemistry. In addition," Klassen concluded, "Abbot Notker is an accomplished musician who has recorded classical flute music. He also plays electric guitar for Feedback, a European rock band.
Following the award ceremony, Notker will play his flute in a brief concert by a chamber quartet. They will play J.C. Bach's "Quartet in G" and W.A. Mozart's "Quartet in C." Joining the abbot primate for the concert will be Jennifer Wilderson, violin; David Arnott, viola; and William Skudlarek, OSB, cello.
|
 |
Abbey Spokesmen
|
