Abbot Mark, with the transition Brother Issac to Abbot, enjoyed a summer of an international trip and new opportunities. Between wrapping up his responsibilities as Abbot and touching his hands to the land, Abbot Mark is revisioning his role on campus.

Abbot Mark immediately noticed the flexibility in his time this summer. He currently is exploring his path for the future, looking into avenues for activities he wants to do with his release from his Abbot role.

Abbot Mark, when asked how he was enjoying retirement, stated, “There’s not as many things coming at you…It’s a nice change.”

Abbot Mark described “wrapping up” his responsibilities as Abbot. His responsibilities as prior Abbot continue past his Abbothood. 

Abbot Mark explained, “It’ll be a couple of months before I’m free of a lot of stuff that I should have gotten done, or, would have liked to have gotten done.” He also said that he would be open to eventually celebrating daily masses.

The monastery conducted the election under the American Cassonese Congregation in April. The Congregation is located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The election protocol includes nominations from monks in solemn vows. 

Abbot Mark explained that the electing of Brother Isaac was not possible until recently, breaking the tradition of over 1200 years. The tradition of electing an Abbot, or religious superior of a Men’s religious order, was strictly for ordained priests. Two years ago, Pope Francis, in response to the Franciscans in a similar situation to the Saint A’s monastery, issued a rescript. The rescript allows a non-priest to become a superior under special permission from Rome. 

When asked about Abbot Marks’s experience of the Abatial election, he said: “The election process, for me, was a little surreal…as Abbot, you don’t stay in the room during the discussion of raised names…he [The Abbot] doesn’t stay for what we call Scrutinium.” 

Abbot Mark explained the process of the election and recalled the unique experience of voting in the Abatial election as an Abbot himself. A protocol of the Abbatial election is the distancing of the current Abbot, as he has created special, private relationships with the other monks. 

A traditional gift for the retiring Abbot is a trip of their choice. Abbot Mark asked to go on a cruise in the Mediterranean. The vacation lasted ten days, visiting countries such as Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy. Abbot Mark recalled crossing the Aegean Sea and visiting Revenna, a city in Northern Italy famous for its mosaics. 

Similar to the end of last semester, Abbot Mark has spent a lot of his time outside, working the grounds. 

He explained, “I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve always welcomed it and I find it very rewarding.”

 He also mentioned construction being done to the monastery. As a part of his Abatial duties left over, Abbot Mark discussed with an architect to the work that needed to be done on the sidewalks and exits of the monastery.

Also over the summer, Abbot Mark attended the funeral of a long-time employee of Saint Anselm College, Walter Gallo. Gallo is responsible for creating the Alumni Association, the outreach and engagement program for Saint Anselm alumni.

Abbot Mark explained that in little ways, he experienced an adjustment period to no longer being the Abbot. Routine habits, such as line order in their meals, he has had to remind himself. 

When asked about his plans for the future, Abbot Mark said that he would be open to working with the Campus Ministry. 

“Something to do with the students I would enjoy,” he said. 

Abbot Mark doesn’t want another full-time job though. He still wants to help out but is enjoying the freedom to do different and new things.