June 10, 2018

When our Br. Samuel Springuel was in grade school at St. Bartholomew’s Parish in Bethesda, the priest who taught him how to serve Mass was Fr. Barry Knestout. Fr. Knestout later became an auxiliary bishop here in Washington and then, at the beginning of this year, was ordained bishop of Richmond, Virginia. As Br. Samuel was now completing his third year of theological studies at The Catholic University of America and became eligible to be ordained deacon, he inquired of his former “instructor” if he would be able to officiate at an ordination Mass here at the abbey. Bishop Knestout graciously agreed to this, so at our conventual Mass on Sunday, June 10 we joyfully celebrated the ordination. Bishop Knestout alluded to his longtime connection with Br. Samuel in his homily, and after the Mass he stayed for a reception in our Fort Augustus Room where Brother’s parents and many other relatives were among those in attendance. The photo shows Br. Samuel lying before the altar during the singing of the Litany of the Saints, one of the main parts of the rite of ordination.