Saint Bernard Abbey

Saint Bernard Abbey Saint Bernard Abbey is a Catholic monastery of Benedictine monks who, through prayer and work, strive St. In 1891 those monks gathered to establish St.
(217)

In the 1840s monks from Metten Abbey in Germany, a monastery founded c. 700 A.D., came to America to plant the Benedictine monastic life in the United States and to minister to the growing German-speaking immigrant population. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, became the first foundation, and in the 1870s monks from St. Vincent were sent to Alabama to serve the needs of German Catholics

here. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama. One year later, 1892, a school was opened at the new Abbey. At overlapping intervals from 1892 to 1979 the monks operated a high school, junior college, four-year college, and seminary. The present St. Bernard Preparatory School, opened in 1984, is the recipient of this Catholic educational heritage. In 1934 the Ave Maria Grotto, a religious devotional creation of Brother Joseph Zoetle, O.S.B., was dedicated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Abbey grounds. This garden walk through Brother Joseph’s miniature replicas of famous Old Testament and Christian buildings has welcomed visitors every day since. Most famous among the miniatures are the buildings of ancient Jerusalem, thus the creation’s popular name “Little Jerusalem”. In 1981 the monks opened the St. Bernard Abbey Retreat and Conference Center. This center welcomes religious retreat and pilgrim groups as well as Abbey guests, school groups, and others.

This year's annual community retreat at Saint Bernard Abbey carried a particular weight and grace, as our days of prayer...
06/16/2026

This year's annual community retreat at Saint Bernard Abbey carried a particular weight and grace, as our days of prayer and silence culminated in entering Chapter to elect the 11th Abbot of Saint Bernard Abbey. It was a profound moment for our monastic family — one held in prayer, trust, and openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance.

We are deeply grateful for the prayers and support of our alumni, students, and friends during this significant time in the life of our community. As we look ahead, we carry forward the same charism and mission that has shaped Saint Bernard Abbey for generations.

Veni Sancte Spiritus! 🕊️

Pictured: the monastic community of Saint Bernard Abbey.

Today the monks enter Chapter to elect the 11th Abbot of St. Bernard Abbey.May the Holy Spirit guide our hearts as we el...
06/15/2026

Today the monks enter Chapter to elect the 11th Abbot of St. Bernard Abbey.

May the Holy Spirit guide our hearts as we elect the next Abbot for our community! Veni Sancte Spiritus!

Pray for us!

Today the Church honors Saint Boniface (c. 675–754), the English Benedictine monk known as the Apostle of Germany. Born ...
06/05/2026

Today the Church honors Saint Boniface (c. 675–754), the English Benedictine monk known as the Apostle of Germany. Born Winfrid in Wessex, he answered a papal commission to evangelize the pagan Germanic peoples, boldly felling the sacred oak of the thunder-god Donar to demonstrate the power of the one true God, founding monasteries, organizing the Church across Germany, and ultimately dying a martyr's death on this day in 754 — struck down by pagan Frisians with the Scriptures open in his hands. A monk to the end, faithful and fearless.

We're proud to share his feast day with our own Brother Boniface Boland, O.S.B., who entered the novitiate here at Saint Bernard Abbey on the Solemnity of the Transitus of Saint Benedict this past March. May his heavenly patron intercede for him as he continues his own Benedictine journey of prayer and conversion. Happy feast day, Brother Boniface! Ad multos annos! 🙏

Join us today as we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Charles Lwanga. A young Ugandan page in the royal court, St. Charles ...
06/03/2026

Join us today as we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Charles Lwanga. A young Ugandan page in the royal court, St. Charles courageously defended his faith and the purity of the young men under his care when King Mwanga II demanded they renounce their Christian beliefs. Their refusal led to their horrific martyrdom, with St. Charles being burned alive in a furnace. His firey faith in the face of unimaginable suffering serves as an inspiration to all. Today, St. Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action, converts, and those facing persecution for their beliefs. His legacy serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of faith and the courage to stand for what is right.

Our own Br. Charles Manning, a pillar of our community, shares a deep connection with the spirit of St. Charles Lwanga. A devoted educator, Br. Charles has dedicated his life to nurturing young minds at St. Bernard Prep School, echoing St. Charles's unwavering commitment to youth. With a heart full of faith and a passion for learning, Br. Charles embodies the values that St. Charles Lwanga championed. On this Feast Day, we honor both St. Charles Lwanga and Br. Charles Manning, two men whose lives exemplify the transformative power of faith, education, and unwavering devotion to God and community.

Today, we celebrate St. Bede, a remarkable scholar, historian, and monk who lived in 8th-century England. Known for his ...
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.

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

Today, we honor St. Brendan the Navigator, a 6th-century Irish monk renowned for his legendary voyages across the Atlant...
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.

Today marks the feast day of St. Pachomius, a remarkable figure in early Christian monasticism. Born in Egypt around 290...
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.

Address

1600 St Bernard Drive SE
Cullman, AL
35055

Telephone

+12567348291

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Saint Bernard Abbey posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to Saint Bernard Abbey:

Shortcuts

Share

Category