Saint Meinrad Archabbey
Saint Meinrad Archabbey was founded in 1854 by monks from Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. They came to southern Indiana at the request of a local priest for assistance in addressing the pastoral needs of the growing German-speaking Catholic population and to prepare local men to be priests.

Both of these missions remain part of Saint Meinrad's ministry to the Roman Catholic Church, as Saint Meinrad operates a graduate seminary and school of theology and has more than a score of its monks in parish work, chaplaincies, and diocesan assignments.

The Benedictine community at Saint Meinrad consists of about 100 men who dedicate their lives to prayer and work. They gather in community five times a day-for morning prayer, noon prayer, evening prayer, compline and Mass-to pray for the Catholic Church and the world. Guests are welcome to join the monks in prayer in the Archabbey Church.

The monks live by the wisdom and guidance of the Rule of St. Benedict, the sixth-century instructions for community living written by St. Benedict.

Shortly after arriving in Indiana, the Benedictines began offering high school courses to local youths. In 1861, the monks expanded their general courses to include undergraduate courses in philosophy and theology. Through these programs, the monks of Saint Meinrad began their mission, which continues today: preparing men for service in the Catholic Church as priests.
 

Seminary and School of Theology
The Seminary and School of Theology offers graduate-level degrees in philosophy and theology. Priesthood candidates work toward a Master's in Catholic Philosophical Studies or Master of Divinity. Lay degree students can earn a Master of Arts (Catholic Thought and Life), a Master of Theological Studies, or a Master's in Catholic Philosophical Studies.

Saint Meinrad began offering lay degree programs in 1969, when students worked on their degrees during a six-week Summer Session program. In the fall of 1993, the School expanded its mission to allow lay ministry students to attend classes during any of the academic terms. While some classes specifically aimed at ordination preparation are reserved for MDiv students, lay ministers are welcome to pursue their graduate degrees as part-time or full-time students. More than 5,000 men and women have studied at Saint Meinrad.

The Institute for Priests and Presbyterates offers programs to help priests make a successful transition into parish life and become effective pastors. Additionally, the Institute works with diocesan presybterates seeking to achieve greater unity.

Other School programs include a permanent deacon formation program, which assists Catholic dioceses in the formation of its deacon candidates, and a youth and vocations program, which encourages high school and college students to participate more deeply in the Church's liturgy and consider a vocation of service to the Church.

Abbey Press
For more than 100 years, Abbey Press has produced and marketed religious, spiritual and inspirational cards, books and gifts.

Abbey Press was begun in 1867 when the Benedictine monks purchased a used printing press. Although the press was primarily used for in-house printing needs, in the 1960s the monks recognized the opportunity of spreading its ministry beyond the printed word.

Today, Abbey Press markets its products throughout the United States and in 25 English-speaking countries. More than 20 foreign companies are licensed to print some of Abbey Press' publications in native languages.

Abbey Caskets
Abbey Caskets began in the spring of 1999. The result of requests by friends and alumni of Saint Meinrad to obtain shaped wooden caskets such as those used for monks' funerals, Abbey Caskets offers handcrafted wooden caskets made from oak, cherry, poplar and walnut. The product line also includes cremation urns.