Winter 2003 You've seen him at graduations and other Benedictine activities - the black robed, tall, bearded man who wears a silver cross that settles on his chest as his long strides take him to meetings, across campus or at graduations. Abbot Hugh Anderson, O.S.B., by virtue of his role as Abbot of St. Procopius Abbey, was the Chancellor of Benedictine University for the past 17 years. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees.

When Abbot Hugh celebrated his 65th birthday, according to the laws of the American Cassinese Congregation, he had to submit his resignation as Abbot. The monks spent months in preparation for the Abbatial Election which was held on December 29.

It was a prayerful, discerning process. The monks completed a self-study about spiritual needs, the Abbey's physical plant, financial needs and human resource concerns. That self-study ushered in a lot of preparation for election day. Appropriate readings were read aloud at their main meal, and discussions took place at Abbey meetings about the role of the Abbot. With reason, there was a certain amount of anxiety surrounding this event, for Abbot Hugh had been in that spiritual and secular position for a long time.

However monks, by virtue of their life-choice, are prayerful men, who believe that God chooses. And though men throughout time have often scratched their heads about the result of such an election they do believe that God makes the final choice.

After months of preparation, the monks gathered on December 29 to begin the election process. A two-thirds vote was required for the first three ballots; a majority vote for the final one. The candidates were evaluated, a prayer was invoked and then they voted.

The elected monk, Fr. Dismas Kalcic, O.S.B., made a profession of faith, signed required documents and each monk then pledged his obedience. It was a very important time in the Abbey's history.

Abbot Hugh could have been re-elected but, as he had already told the monks, he felt it was time for a new Abbot. He hopes to attend the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis and study spiritual direction.

During my presidency I have often talked about the founders of this University. Abbot Hugh was a modernday founder.

We now welcome Abbot Dismas Kalcic, O.S.B., the ninth Abbot of St. Procopius Abbey.