The design and craftsmanship - Mount Michael Benedictine School

HANDCRAFTED PINE CASKETS
You are Invited! The monks of Mount Michael Abbey ask that you please join us.
Sunday, October 16th from 1 - 4p.m. on the 1st floor of the Abbey
View the beautifully handcrafted caskets that will now be available for purchase by the public.
For more information, contact Father John Hagemann: jhagemann@mountmichael.org
The design and craftsmanship
The design for Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey’s caskets was created by
Bro. Andrew Sorenson, O.S.B. (1921-2007). During his monastic life,
Bro. Andrew’s main work was that of abbey carpenter. Many of the desks,
tables and bookcases around the Abbey and School are testaments to his
careful and meticulous work. As a side project Bro. Andrew built caskets for
the monastic community. Many of our deceased monks are buried in the
beautiful hand-made wooden caskets crafted by Bro. Andrew. Bro. Andrew
was laid to rest in our Abbey Cemetery in a casket he had set aside as his own.
Bro. Andrew Sorenson, O.S.B.
If there are artisans in the monastery, let them practice their crafts with all humility, provided the Abbot has given permission. But if
any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring a benefit of the Monastery, let him
be taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless, after he has humbled himself, the Abbot again gives him permission.
from the Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 57

CASKETS IN THE MONASTIC TRADITION
Monastic spirituality has definitely had its influence in the world throughout its history. Lectio Divina
(Sacred or Divine Reading), for example, has become widely known and practiced more than just in
monastic settings. In fact, Lectio Divina has become almost popular in the realm of spirituality.
Another monastic aspect of spirituality that is spreading to places outside of monasticism is the
monastic practices and customs involving death and funerals. From its inception, the monastic concept
of passing into eternal life was considered a very natural process, simple in many ways. There has been
a long tradition of using simple wooden boxes for caskets throughout monastic history. And now
numerous monastic communities throughout the country are sharing this tradition with the wider
world and making their caskets available for anyone.
We at Mount Michael Benedictine have joined the ranks with other monastic communities and are
making caskets available for the wider world. Our caskets were originally designed by Br. Andrew
Sorensen, O.S.B., an accomplished carpenter at Mount Michael Benedictine for many years.
We feel that this is another type of ministry that we can offer. Perhaps there could be some comfort or
solace to an individual to realize that one’s final resting place has been personalized, especially for
those who have been connected to Mount Michael Benedictine. Each person who chooses a casket
from Mount Michael Benedictine shares in our own spirituality, in the Eucharist and the daily round of
the Divine Office.
Fr. John Hagemann, O.S.B.
For more information contact Fr. John Hagemann, O.S.B.:
402-289-2541 ext. 1111
hagemann_john@hotmail.com