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Each year, the U.S. juniors gather for two weeks to learn from notable guest presenters and to get to know one another. 

This year's conference was hosted May 20 through June 1 at Mount St. Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, Mass. Three juniors - Br. Matthias, Br. Abel and Br. Joseph - represented Gethsemani. 

Br. Colman O'Clabaigh, OSB leads a seminar for the junior monks and nuns. Click to enlarge.

Br. Colman O'Clabaigh, OSB, from Glenstall Abbey in Ireland, delivered talks on medieval monasticism.

Mt. St. Mary's recently-elected abbess Mother Sofia Millican also presented on John Cassian.

Outside of classtime, juniors got to know one another through conversations at mealtimes and special outings. This informal element offered increased awareness of the breadth of the order, and helped to nurture a peer group which will be important for the Order's future.

Many of these friendships will endure through the monastic lives of the participants, particularly as they begin to take more responsibility within their own monasteries.

Trappists on the loose! Conference participants enjoy an excursion to Boston. Click to enlarge.

During the conference, participants took a day-trip to nearby St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, where they witnessed Br. Michael's solemn profession. As an added bonus, they visited Gethsemani's daughter house of Genesee Abbey twice on their long journey by car to and from the monastery. Many thanks to our sisters at Wrentham and our brothers at Spencer and Genesee for their warm hospitality.

Some of the junior monks enjoy a rooftop view of the sunset. Click to enlarge.