Echoes from the Bell Tower

In which Br. Kolbe talks with Br. Lorenzo, now Fr. Lorenzo, about his experiences during the COVID-19 shutdown in Italy.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests reflect on how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed things and ways that all of us can make the best of these times.

In which Br. Joel Br. Kolbe introduce you to the Friend family – Patrick and Joe, along with their sister, Katherine, and their father, Jerry. Patrick and Joe studied together at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Listen in as Patrick and Joseph talk about finding their way to the priesthood and how their family was an important part of that decision. Plus, Katherine and Jerry talk about the impact of that decision and how it has blessed them in many ways.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe talk to Br. Zachary Wilberding, OSB, about the Catholic prison ministry at Branchville Correctional Facility.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe introduce us to students who have been doing ministry throughout their time in seminary.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe and their guests remember the life of their confrere, Fr. Cyprian Davis, OSB. Fr. Cyprian was Saint Meinrad Archabbey's first African-American monk and priest. He taught history for many years in our seminary and participated in the Civil Rights Movement. His research led him to write the seminal work: "The History of Black Catholics in the United States." Fr. Cyprian died in 2015.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe introduce their confrere, Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB. Fr. Godfrey has been living away from the monastery for the past eight years, serving as a parish pastor.

We’re back – almost! Season 5 of the “Echoes from the Bell Tower” podcast is ready to launch on Thursday, April 9.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests recount stories from past Triduum liturgies. To hear our full episode on the Triduum, visit https://www.saintmeinrad.edu/echoes

In this special Echoes From the Bell Tower podcast episode, you’ll hear how the Benedictine monks at Saint Meinrad commemorate the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and, finally, the Resurrection of Christ.

Every monk has a story behind his monastic name. In this third Echoes from the Bell Tower podcast episode about monastic names, we hear four more stories that explore why and how the monastic names were chosen.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe listen to more stories about how monks receive their names. This is a sequel to our third episode on monastic names from 2016.

In which Br. Joel introduces us to Peanut Brother, the homemade peanut butter the monks began making over a year ago.

In which Br. Kolbe has a conversation with his family about the difficulties and joys of religious life.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe listen in on a conversation between Br. John Mark Falkenhain and his parents. Like so many important decisions in life, joining a monastery has a ripple effect. Family and friends are touched by this life-changing choice.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe talk to oblates of Saint Meinrad. The Benedictine oblate community affiliated with Saint Meinrad Archabbey has been around almost as long the monastery itself. But, what is an oblate? Oblates are men and women who live and work in the world, but who wish to follow the spiritual path established by St. Benedict.

Echoes from the Bell Tower is back with new episodes starting November 15, 2018. These fall episodes will focus on Saint Meinrad's outreach. From the Benedictine Oblate program to student ministry to the impact monks and seminarians make on their families, you don't want to miss these episodes!

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests look at the One Bread, One Cup program for Catholic youth held at Saint Meinrad every summer.

In which guest hosts Br. Nathaniel and Br. Simon discuss with some of their fellow monks the beautiful tradition of vow charts.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests look at some of the ways that "the Word" is important to life here at Saint Meinrad.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests discuss funeral practices in the monastery and remember a monk who has gone to eternal life.

When gathering content for season three of the podcast, we ended up with more than enough stories and memories of monks who have died. One of those monks was Fr. Rupert Ostdick, OSB, who died in January 2017 at age 95. We put some of those extra stories together in this preview episode to give you a taste of what’s to come.

Echoes from the Bell Tower is returning for the Spring with three new episodes!

Part 2 of 2 in which various guests recount their stories of how they came to Saint Meinrad.

Part 1 of 2 in which various guests recount their stories of how they came to Saint Meinrad.

Echoes from the Bell Tower returns with new episodes November 30!

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests discuss music composition and prayer, including the creation of the "Echoes" theme song.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests discuss chant and its place in the prayer life of the monastery.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests answer frequently asked questions about our monks and our monastery.

This week's episode is a mini-episode containing a brief story from Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB, about his coat of arms.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe talk with guests from the monastery and our seminary about what a day in the life of a monk or seminarian at Saint Meinrad is like.

In which Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe talk about the bells of Saint Meinrad. The bells lead people to Saint Meinrad and they call the monastic community to prayer. They're going to have stories from the other monks who explain what the bells mean to us. They also have an update on Bell 6 that cracked and needed to be removed and repaired.

In this second episode on community life, Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe talk about community life in the monastery and how the monks celebrate Halloween.

In which Br. Joel, Br. Kolbe, and their guests discuss community life and fellowship among the seminarians at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. The first in a two-part series on community life.

Echoes from the Bell Tower returns for Season 2! In this trailer Br. Joel and Br. Kolbe tell us what to expect as they bring us more terrific stories of wit and wisdom from Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Are you ready?

This preview episode of season two is all about chant and its role in monastic life, especially during the Advent season right before Christmas. Music fans will love the melodic chant featured in this preview. The full second season will launch in March 2017.

This preview episode of season two gives a peek into the Seminary and School of Theology's Around the World party. The party celebrates the diversity in the seminary through food. A full-length episode about community life in the seminary and monastery will launch in March 2017.

In which Br. Joel and Novice Tony interview our newly elected archabbot the Right Reverend Kurt Stasiak, OSB.

In which Br. Joel, Novice Tony, and their guests discuss the resignation of Archabbot Justin DuVall, OSB and the upcoming election of his successor. This episode describes how the election process works in the monastery and what the monks consider when choosing the leader of their community.

In which Br. Joel, Novice Tony, and their guests discuss what Benedictine monks do outside of prayer and work. Hobbies and disciplines abounds at the monastery from stamp collecting and model trains to brewing and beekeeping. It's a honey of an episode.

In which Br. Joel and Novice Tony discuss how monks get their names and how Novice Jonathan became Br. Joel...and not a Jonas "brother". Other monks tell the stories behind their names, why feast days are celebrated, and how choosing a name can help a community move on from tragedy.

In which Br. Joel and Novice Tony go medieval to tell the story of St. Meinrad, a Benedictine monk from the 9th century who became our patron saint. Topics include St. Meinrad's life and martyrdom, Swiss monks emigrating, a wonderful small town in Indiana, guard chickens, the work we do for the Church, and...cheese.

In which Novices Jonathan, Tony, and their guests talk about the bells of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Stories include the importance of the bells to monastic life, ringing mishaps, monk pranks, bell flipping, janky ladders, and the toll after a monk's death.

Introducing Echoes from the Bell Tower, a podcast devoted to stories of wit and wisdom from the monks of Saint Meinrad, a Benedictine monastery in southern Indiana.