Saint Bernard Abbey

05/25/2026

Today, we celebrate St. Bede, a remarkable scholar, historian, and monk who lived in 8th-century England. Known for his immense contributions to literature, history, and theology, St. Bede is the patron of scholars, historians, and English people. His most famous work, "Ecclesiastical History of the English People," remains a cornerstone of English history. He's also known for his deep devotion to learning, his prolific writing, and his unwavering faith.

Here at St. Bernard Abbey, we have a special connection to St. Bede through our very own Fr. Bede Marcy, O.S.B. Fr. Bede, hailing from Biloxi, Mississippi, is our beloved dining hall manager and a dedicated theology instructor at St. Bernard Prep. He professed his vows on March 21, 2002, and was ordained a priest on May 2, 2009. We're grateful for Fr. Bede's service and his embodiment of St. Bede's spirit of intellectual curiosity and faithful dedication.

Join us in honoring St. Bede today, and say a prayer for Fr. Bede and all who carry on the saint's legacy of wisdom and faith.

05/17/2026

Today is Sunday, so the feast of St. Paschal Baylon is not liturgically observed. Still, we remember him and our own Fr. Paschal.

St. Paschal Baylon, patron of Eucharistic Congresses and Associations, stands out for his simplicity, humility, and single-minded devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. In the same spirit, Fr. Paschal brings real energy and competence to our community. Trained by the Nashville Dominican Sisters at St. Rose Academy, he has already made a strong contribution through the recent fundraising efforts and in his role as Director of Development.

As we recall St. Paschal Baylon, it is fitting to ask his intercession for Fr. Paschal—that the same Eucharistic love that shaped the saint may strengthen the priest in his vocation.

05/17/2026

St. Bernard Graduation 5/17/2026

05/16/2026

Today, we honor St. Brendan the Navigator, a 6th-century Irish monk renowned for his legendary voyages across the Atlantic. While the historical details are shrouded in myth and folklore, St. Brendan's unwavering faith and adventurous spirit continue to inspire. His quest for the "Isle of the Blessed" symbolizes the Christian journey towards God, a pilgrimage filled with both challenges and divine encounters. May St. Brendan's courage and trust in God's providence guide us on our own spiritual journeys.

In the spirit of exploration and hospitality, we also celebrate our own Brother Brendan Seipel, O.S.B., who hails from New Albany, Indiana. Since professing his vows in 2004, Br. Brendan has wholeheartedly embraced the monastic life at St. Bernard Abbey. Currently stewarding our abbey's farm, he tends to the land with care and dedication, embodying the Benedictine values of work and self-sufficiency. We are grateful for Br. Brendan's dedication to fostering a spirit of welcome and fellowship within our monastic family. May God continue to bless him in his ministry and monastic journey.

05/15/2026

Today marks the feast day of St. Pachomius, a remarkable figure in early Christian monasticism. Born in Egypt around 290 AD, Pachomius is credited with establishing the first organized monastic communities, where monks lived and worked together under a shared rule. His vision emphasized a balance of prayer, work, and communal living, shaping the monastic tradition for centuries to come.

In the spirit of St. Pachomius, we also celebrate our own Fr. Pachomius, a beloved member of the St. Bernard monastic community. Born in Cuba, Fr. Pachomius discovered his monastic calling while working in Colombia. Since arriving at St. Bernard Abbey in 2014, he has embraced our community's values of prayer, work, and fellowship. As Associate Pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church in Birmingham, Fr. Pachomius exemplifies the monastic spirit through his dedication to God and service to others. We are grateful for his presence in our community and wish him continued blessings on his spiritual journey.

05/12/2026

Although Saint Damien of Molokai's feast day fell on a Sunday this year — displacing the official memorial in the liturgy — we joyfully honor his story and life. The Belgian priest who stepped ashore at Kalaupapa in 1873 and never left, spending himself entirely for the abandoned and dying, is well worth a belated celebration.

We also wish to honor our own Brother Damien Jackson, pictured here second from the right, standing next to Fr. Joel. Named for the Apostle of the Lepers, Brother Damien is growing daily in the life he has consecrated to God. May his patron's radical, unhesitating charity be a constant companion to him.

We also extend love and gratitude to all mothers — especially those of our brothers — whose self-giving first showed them what they are now practicing. 🙏

05/02/2026

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. We also honor our own Br. Joseph, who shares his name and his spirit of service with this great saint.

“Work contains goodness within itself, creates harmony between things – beauty, goodness – and involves every part of the person. This is man’s first vocation: work. This gives dignity to mankind. Dignity makes us similar to God.” - Pope Francis

04/26/2026

Because today is Sunday, the Church celebrates the Lord’s Day—the weekly commemoration of the Resurrection—which always takes precedence over the memorials of saints. For that reason, the feast of St. Cletus (Anacletus), one of the early successors of St. Peter, is not observed liturgically this year. Still, we pause to remember him: a martyr and third Bishop of Rome who helped guide the young Church in its fragile beginnings, faithfully handing on the apostolic tradition.

In that spirit, we honor Abbot Cletus D. Meagher, O.S.B., the Ninth Abbot of St. Bernard Abbey, who served with profound faith and leadership in Cullman. Born in 1944 in Cleveland, Tennessee, Abbot Cletus attended St. Bernard for high school and college, entering monastic life in 1964. Professing simple vows in 1965, he studied theology at St. Bede Abbey and the University of St. Louis, and was ordained a priest in 1971. Before his election as abbot in 1995, he served in diverse roles, including prior, novice master, procurator, farm manager, and pastor of Sacred Heart Church. Leading the abbey for nearly a quarter century until his retirement in 2019, he guided the community with wisdom and gratitude, fostering its spiritual and apostolic missions.

We give thanks for Abbot Cletus and commend him to the Lord.

04/25/2026

Today, as we celebrate the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist—author of the earliest Gospel, companion of St. Peter, and a man whose writing moves with urgency, clarity, and vivid action—we give thanks for his witness to Christ. Tradition holds that Mark faithfully handed on what he received from Peter, preserving for the Church a Gospel that pulses with immediacy: Christ healing, teaching, suffering, and triumphing. Mark reminds us that discipleship is not abstract, but lived—often quickly, courageously, and at a cost.

In that same spirit, we also remember Abbot Marcus J. Voss, O.S.B. Abbot Marcus has served 60 years with unwavering faith and leadership in Cullman. Born in 1943 and raised at Sacred Heart Parish, Abbot Marcus excelled in athletics and academics before answering his monastic calling. His athletic ability and extensive contributions as a school administrator earned him a place in the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. A graduate of St. Bernard, St. Bede Abbey, and St. Louis University, he holds a Master of Divinity and a master’s in Christian spirituality. Ordained in 1971, he has served as teacher, headmaster, president, and Chairman of St. Bernard Preparatory School, which he helped re-establish in 1984. He also served as the 10th abbot of St. Bernard.
Happy Feast Day, Abbot Marcus!

03/30/2026