Indianapolis archbishop affirms archabbot's election with blessing

Published: 2005-02-08

ST. MEINRAD, Ind. (CNS) -- With a solemn blessing Jan. 21, Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis affirmed the election three weeks earlier of Benedictine Archabbot Justin DuVall as ninth abbot and sixth archabbot of St. Meinrad Archabbey. After the Gospel of the Mass marking the feast of St. Meinrad, Archbishop Buechlein questioned the new monastic leader on his willingness to take on the responsibilities of abbot and then gave him instructions in the form of a homily. Archabbot DuVall lay prostrate in the aisle of the abbey church as the monks and guests prayed a litany of the saints. Archbishop Buechlein then conferred a solemn blessing and gave him a copy of the Rule of St. Benedict, and symbols of his office: a miter, crosier and ring. The archabbot exchanged the sign of peace with the archbishop, other visiting bishops and abbots and the monks of St. Meinrad.

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