The Altar of the Former Abbey Church Decorated ... - St. John's Abbey

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FEATURE In 1980 the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s initiated summer China study programs under the direction of Baulu Kuan, OSB. By fall of 1988 a semester study abroad program at Southwest China Normal University in Beibei (Sichuan Province) was initiated by Sister Baulu and Cyprian Weaver, OSB. To date over two hundred students have participated in this program. This year nineteen CSB/SJU students continue the connection. Every year a number of CSB/SJU grads return to China to teach English through Maryknoll’s volunteer service program. This year nine CSB/SJU grads were accepted into this program. But it is more than students who have been impacted by their China experiences. After working with the program for four years, Father Cyprian accepted an invitation in 1993 to teach in the medical college and open a graduate school of medicine in the reincarnated Fu Jen Catholic Univer- page 8 The Abbey Banner Winter 2004 sity. Cyprian continues his work at Fu Jen where he is acclaimed as an excellent and dedicated scholar, monk and priest. Another connection is focused on developing leadership for the Church in mainland China. For the past ten years, Saint John’s Abbey and School of Theology•Seminary have supported students in the “Training of Chinese Seminary Teachers and Formators Project” of Maryknoll. In this program Maryknoll works with Chinese bishops to identify priests and sisters to do advanced theological studies in the United States and Europe to prepare them for teaching in Chinese seminaries and religious formation programs. More than a dozen eager learners have gone through this program. Timothy Kelly, OSB, Abbot President of the American Cassinese Congregation of Men Benedictines, has been especially supportive of Chinese students at Saint John’s and even after Sisters Teresa Ma (l.) and Pauline Yu flank Abbot John Klassen. The plaque says, “Peace be within your walls” (Psalm 122:7). they move on for further studies, leadership and ministry. Abbot Timothy serves on the Board of Directors for the China Bureau of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and is a founding member of the Benedictine China Commission. In the fall of 2003 I traveled with Sister Baulu on the annual Benedictine Study Tour of China. A project of the Benedictine China Commission, this tour introduces participants to the past and present work of Benedictines in China and explores possibilities for future efforts there. Participants are introduced to traditional Chinese culture including art, history, philosophy and religion. In Beijing I reconnected with Matthew Zhen and Anthony Yao who had become good friends while studying liturgy at Saint John’s. These two priests were generous and gracious hosts as they took time away from their busy schedules in seminary lead-
Cyprian Weaver, OSB, teaches at Fu Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan. Parishioners of Saint Benedict’s Church, Saint Benedict, China, welcome Brother Doug (in bright blue jacket) and Sister Baulu Kuan, OSB (with camera). ership and their work on the national liturgical commission. Baulu and I visited Beijing Normal University, now the premier university in China for teacher education. I was invited to lecture on my own research on teacher development to about thirty graduate faculty and students. They were incredibly kind and gracious, giving us a huge banquet after the lecture. We were also invited to be the first foreign speakers to address the three hundred plus faculty and students of the newly opened Fu Jen Educational Training Center, established by the mainland Alumni Association of the old Fu Jen University. Finally, I was privileged to lecture on “Religion in American Life” as part of the Mid-East Research Institute and College of International Cultural Exchange at Northwest University in X’ian. I spoke to over one hundred enthusiastic students and FEATURE faculty members who seemed to have an endless reservoir of engaging questions that convey their deep interest in religion and American life. One notable site we visited is the little village of Saint Benedict which grew up near a former Trappist monastery. During the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese government changed the name of the village to the Chinese word for “Progress” but the villagers would have no part of it. In addition to keeping the name “Saint Benedict” for their village, they have maintained steadfast joy in their faith, devotion and hospitality. They were overjoyed to welcome two traveling Benedictines. Doug Mullin, OSB, associate professor of education at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, is pursuing theological studies in our School of Theology•Seminary in preparation for ordination to the priesthood. The Abbey Banner Winter 2004 page 9
Page 1 and 2: Abbey Christmas Past, page 4 The Co
Page 3 and 4: EMMANUEL by Daniel Durken, OSB Ther
Page 5 and 6: In the monastery a typical Christma
Page 7: Chinese graduates of Saint John’s
Page 11 and 12: Report on the Congress of Abbots by
Page 13 and 14: Anna Maria Brunner, first child to
Page 15 and 16: Sutera, OSB, Saint Scholastica Mona
Page 17 and 18: So many notes! the University of Wi
Page 19 and 20: A hand-carved Nativity scene from t
Page 21 and 22: Ryan Radmer, at left, and Robert Ki
Page 23 and 24: In 1999 the monks of Saint Anselm
Page 25 and 26: L. to r.: Manuel Cely, OSB; James H
Page 27 and 28: Illumination: “Madonna and Child

The Altar of the Former Abbey Church Decorated ... - St. John's Abbey

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