Norbertines of St. Michael's Abbey

07/14/2026

As we reach the midpoint of the summer months, we look back with gratitude on a remarkable season of grace at St. Michael’s Abbey.

Last month, the Lord blessed our community with the election of Abbot John and the ordination of Rev. Frater Theophane Dylan Faleiro, O.Praem., to the sacred priesthood, together with Frater Titus John Blackman, O.Praem., Frater Dismas Youssef Farfan, O.Praem., and Frater Athanasius Basil Inman, O.Praem., to the sacred diaconate. These graces remind us that Christ never ceases to raise up spiritual fathers and ministers for His Church, men called to offer their lives in prayer, sacrifice, and the care of souls.

With joyful anticipation, we now look toward the Abbatial Blessing of Abbot John this September. The Abbatial Blessing is the Church’s solemn invocation of God’s grace upon a new abbot, confirming him in his spiritual fatherhood and entrusting him with the pastoral care, governance, and sanctification of the monastic family entrusted to him. We invite you to continue praying for Abbot John and for all our confreres as this extraordinary summer of grace continues.

06/29/2026

St. Michael’s Abbey Elects Third Abbot in Historic First Election in More Than 30 Years

SILVERADO, Calif., June 29, 2026 — The canons of St. Michael’s Abbey have elected the Right Reverend John Caronan, O.Praem., as the third abbot of the abbey. Confirmed on June 19, 2026, the election marks the community’s first abbatial election in more than three decades and begins a new chapter for one of the most prominent Catholic religious communities in the United States.

Following days of prayer and nearly three hours of voting, the abbey bells rang out to announce the election of a new abbot. Father Abbot John then professed the Catholic faith, took the Oath of Fidelity, received the promise of obedience from his confreres, and gave his first blessing as the spiritual father of the community.

Born in Manila, Philippines, and raised in Southern California, Father Abbot John entered St. Michael’s Abbey in 1985. A priest and distinguished canon lawyer, he has served the Church for decades in numerous judicial offices throughout Southern California. His election also marks the first Filipino-born abbot in the more than 900-year history of the Premonstratensian Order.

Father Abbot John succeeds the Right Reverend Eugene J. Hayes, O.Praem., whose more than thirty years of leadership saw remarkable growth in vocations, apostolic outreach, and the completion of the abbey’s new monastery.

The Abbatial Blessing of Father Abbot John will take place this September at St. Michael’s Abbey. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Please join us in praying for Father Abbot John and the entire community of St. Michael’s Abbey as they begin this new chapter in the life of the abbey.

06/20/2026

06/18/2026

This morning at St. Michael’s Abbey, a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit was offered for the intention of the abbatial election by the Rt. Rev. Jos Wouters, O. Praem., Abbot General of the Premonstratensian Order.

Veni, Creator Spiritus.

06/18/2026

Praised be Jesus Christ!

The livestream link for tomorrow’s abbatial election is now available.

Join us as the canons of St. Michael’s Abbey gather to elect the third Abbot of the abbey. We invite all the faithful to pray with us from wherever they may be.

Livestream begins tomorrow morning at 9:15am.

On Friday, June 19, 2026, the Canons of St. Michael's Abbey will co...

06/10/2026

Today, on the Abbot’s Circle, we begin our novena to Our Lady, Queen of Our Order, entrusting St. Michael’s Abbey to her maternal care as we prepare for the abbatial election on June 19.

In these days of prayer, we ask Our Lady to guide the hearts of the canons, to obtain for the community peace and unity, and to help us receive with gratitude and trust the father whom God will provide for this next chapter in the life of the abbey.

Today we begin our novena for the abbatial election in a spirit of thanksgiving.

06/07/2026

One of the most beautiful truths of our Catholic faith is that the mercy of God reaches us through the Church in ways far more abundant than we often imagine.

This is especially clear in the gift of indulgences. Through them, the Church invites the faithful to draw more deeply from the merits of Christ and the saints, to grow in repentance and charity, and, when offered by way of suffrage, to assist the holy souls in purgatory.

To help us understand this spiritual treasure more deeply, we are pleased to share a new conversation with Fr. Hugh Barbour on plenary indulgences.

As the Abbey prepares for the election of a new abbot, the Holy See has granted a special plenary indulgence for those who piously visit the Abbey Church on June 18 and 19, pray for the intention of the abbatial election, and fulfil the usual conditions.

Link to the video in the comments.

06/06/2026

St. Norbert, Pray for us!

06/05/2026

Seven priests fled Communist persecution.
Seventy years later, their sacrifice has become a thriving abbey in California.

In this conversation, Fr. Justin Ramos reflects on the founding story of St. Michael’s Abbey, the sacrifices that made its growth possible, and why this moment in the life of the community matters.

Watch the full conversation in the first comment.