Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB

Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB (from Parable Magazine)

Today the monks of Saint Anselm Abbey elected Father Mark Cooper, OSB to be the fifth abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey and the Chancellor of Saint Anselm College!  Abbot Mark is a very kind and gracious priest and he said Mass for us last December (you can listen to his homily here).  He had just stepped down as the Vice President of Finance at Saint Anselm College after 33 years of service.

Saint Anselm College did a wonderful job broadcasting the Service of Thanksgiving after his election.  I was watching online and as the monks began to process in, you could feel the tension.  When Abbot Mark emerged at the end of the procession the church erupted in applause.  You can watch a loop of the service here.

Abbot Mark assumed his positions immediately upon accepting the election.

Congratulations to Abbot Mark and the Saint Anselm community!