St. Michael's Abbey 2021
The Norbertine Order was founded by St. Norbert in 1121 A.D. and is one of the oldest Catholic orders in the world. This year of St. Joseph, the order celebrates its 900th anniversary. The Norbertines serve communities around the world, and their mission is to live in common life and to care for souls through education and the preaching.
St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County, California was founded in 1961 by seven Hungarian priests who fled communist oppression. Today, there are 50 priests and 35 seminarians serving the community and parishes throughout the dioceses of Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and Fresno, California.
In recent years, the community outgrew the original location on El Toro Road in Silverado, California. In 2005, St. Michael’s Abbey began looking for another site and through the generous donations of the community and their supporters, they were able to break ground on the new Abbey in Silverado Canyon (only 9 miles from the original location) on March 18, 2018. Over the past couple of years, great progress has been made on the new Abbey – including during the pandemic – and the new Abbey is set to open on May 5th, 2021.
St. Michael’s Abbey Church will be open to the faithful for daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and private prayer every day.
VANTAGE POINT GALA – May 1
This annual event has typically been a fundraiser and opportunity for friends and benefactos to join the Norbertine community for dinner and entertainment. This year’s event is unique as it celebrates the long-awaited opening of the new abbey church. Guests will enjoy a concert in the new abbey church followed by dinner in St. Norbert Plaza. All in attendance have contributed financially and spiritually to the success of this $140M project.
For more information about the Gala, please email Events@StMichaelsAbbey.com
DEDICATION OF THE NEW ABBEY – May 4
Beginning with an outdoor procession, this liturgical celebration will host prelates of the Norbertine Order and other honored guests from around the country.
Every year, the Norbertine community at St. Michael’s Abbey will celebrate the feast of the Dedication of the Our Lady of the Assumption Abbey Church.
For information about the building of the abbey, click HERE.
For more on St. Michael’s Abbey and the Norbertine Fathers, click HERE.
For information about the Abbot’s Circle and the acclaimed web-series City of Saints, click HERE.