Echoes from the Bell Tower

As Pope Leo closed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to end the Jubilee Year of Hope, we see just how far we have come since Pope Francis opened it a year prior. Looking back at 2025 leaves my heart full. It truly was a year of hope with people from all walks of life visiting Saint Meinrad.

The Archabbey Church was designated a pilgrimage site for the Year of Hope, welcoming pilgrims, young adults, families, and children to the Hill and offering them a place to reflect and pray in peace.

The year proved to be fruitful and abundant in hope for the future of the Church:

• The Emmaus Program supported its first group of graduates through the Vocational Synthesis stage of formation.
• In May, 35 students earned their master’s degrees from the Seminary and School of Theology.
• Eighteen seminarians graduated in December, earning their Master of Divinity degrees.

In the monastery, 2025 ushered in change in various ways, showing hope through new vocations and hope through eternal life:

• Br. Ambrose Braham made his simple vows.
• Br. Gregory Morris professed solemn vows.
• Fr. Michael Reyes was ordained a priest.
• Archabbot Kurt Stasiak celebrated his 50^th anniversary of monastic profession.
• Fr. Louis Mulcahy died on August 24.

These events show a fraction of what has taken place at Saint Meinrad in 2025. Through youth conferences and retreats, Hispanic ministry, oblate vows and retreats, cultural events and concerts, and much, much more, the light of Christ has shone brightly.

It is my hope that those who view these photos from 2025 and see God’s beauty through them are inspired in their own journey and can find their own way to spread the love of Christ.

A special thanks to all our photographers who helped capture life at Saint Meinrad in 2025, especially our student photographers, Deacon Khaing Thu and Francisco Rodriguez.

To view all of the photos in our Year in Pictures 2025 gallery, visit: https://saint-meinrad.smugmug.com/Photography/Year-in-Pictures-2025.