Westminster Abbey

Our Charism:

Our History: Westminster Abbey was founded in Ladner, BC, by monks from Mount Angel, a Benedictine abbey in Oregon. In 1939, the five original founding members of the monastery came not only to begin a new center of monastic life but also to take over the teaching and administration of the diocesan seminary, then located in Ladner. Westminster Priory became independent in 1948 and, in 1953, was raised to the status of an abbey. Westminster Abbey was established at its present site in 1954 after temporary locations in Ladner and Burnaby. Timeline Highlights: - 1939: Benedictines from Mount Angel Abbey found the monastery and take over direction of the Seminary; Fr. Eugene Medved OSB, Rector. - 1940: Move to Deer Lake. - 1944: The first Prior, Father Cyril Lebold OSB, returns to Mount Angel; Father Eugene Medved OSB, Prior; Fr. Luke Eberle OSB, Rector. - 1949: Contract between the Abbey and the Archdiocese of Vancouver to operate both Major & Minor Seminaries. - 1951: Theology added to the curriculum of the Seminary. - 1953: Elevation to Abbey – Election of first Abbot, Father Eugene Medved OSB. - 1954: Abbey and Seminary moved to Mission, BC, on Christmas Eve. - 1957: Silver Jubilee celebrated; Minor Seminary wing completed and blessed; Bell tower construction. - 1959: Barn blessed. - 1963: Guesthouse begun. - 1965: Vatican II concludes; changes made to seminary curriculum, life, and discipline; start of concelebration, Mass in the vernacular. - 1966: Seminary receives provincial charter for granting B.A. & Theology degrees. - 1967: Divine Office in English; Brothers come into choir. - 1971: Guesthouse completed. - 1977: Completion of gymnasium-auditorium. - 1980: 1500th anniversary of the birth of St. Benedict. - 1981: 50th anniversary of Seminary. - 1982: Dedication of abbey church by Cardinal Basil Hume OSB. - 1985: Blessing of new library. - 1987: Completion of Major Seminary residence. - 1992: Fr. Maurus Macrae OSB elected as 2nd Abbot. - 2003: Completion of new sports court. - 2005: Fr. John Braganza OSB elected as 3rd Abbot. - 2014: 75th anniversary of abbey’s foundation. - 2017: Renewal of the contract with the Archdiocese of Vancouver to continue priestly formation. - 2018: Spirituality Year inaugurated in September (First of nine years of priestly formation in the Major Seminary). Source: https://westminsterabbey.ca/benedictine-monasticism/our-history/