In 1981, Bishop Generoso Camiña of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Digos asked ArchabbotNotker Wolf to establish a monastery of Missionary Benedictines on the island of Mindanao. Archabbot Wolf visited Digos in the autumn of that year, and then submitted a report to the Council of the Congregation. The Council decided that a foundation should be made, to be under the authority of the Council itself rather than a particular monastery of the Congregation. However, the Council's decision did not meet with unanimous approval among Missionary Benedictine monks. Some monks voiced concern over the declining numbers of monks in European monasteries, questioning whether a foundation in the Philippines, not an area traditionally served by the Missionary Benedictines, was prudent. Additionally, Mindanao's tumultuous political situation provided further reason for concern. Despite these questions, the planned foundation proceeded. In autumn 1982, Odo Haas, Abbot Emeritus of St Maurus and St Placidus Abbey, Waegwan, and two other Missionary Benedictine monks arrived in Digos. This initial team was soon joined by two Korean monks. Such a combination presented the first occasion in which monks from a European "mother abbey" and monks from a mother abbey's foundation worked together to establish a new monastic community.
Growth of the Monastery
St Benedict's Monastery was opened on July 11, 1983. The first facilities included a church, a guesthouse, a retreat center, and a cloister that could accommodate twelve monks. On May 20, 1986, the church was consecrated by Bishop Camiña. The Bishop of Digos was accompanied by Archbishop Antonio Lloren Mabutas of Davao and Bishop Patricio Hacbang Alo of Mati, who expressed their hope that the presence of the Missionary Benedictines would spread throughout Mindanao. For the young community, Bishop Camiña envisioned the performance of extraordinary pastoral work, to include the preaching of retreats and the provision of adult catechesis. The monks themselves wanted to maintain a peaceful monastery that could provide a location for Christians to deepen their faith, while at the same time obliging Bishop Camiña's wishes inasmuch as these did not conflict with a life in accordance with the Rule of Benedict. Further, the monks began agricultural operations on their 28ha in an effort to establish a regular income for the monastery. The combination of Korean and German monks, living together in monastic community, encouraged local vocations, which could have been stunted by a culturally homogeneous monastic community. The community began to recruit local vocations in 1984. By 1988, four monks had professed temporal vows; two of these made solemn profession in 1991. The growing numbers of the community contributed to the monks' primary apostolate, retreat work. On July 11, 1989, exactly seven years since its foundation, St Benedict's Monastery was raised to the status of a simple priory, still under the authority of the Council of the Congregation. Seven years later, on July 11, 1996, the monastery became a conventual priory, gaining independent status.
Apostolic Work
The monastic community of Digos Conventual Priory supports itself and the local community by means of a number of apostolates.
Agriculture: Farms and gardens produce various crops, fruits, and vegetables, especially coconut and mango.
Animal Husbandry: Dairy cattle and hogs are raised at the monastery.
Orchidaria: Flower production takes place at Digos and at St Anselm's Study House, Davao.
"The Monastery Store": Recently established, this locations sells milk and milk chocolate produced by the monastery. The monastery also delivers milk to local schools.
"St Benedict's Clinic": A staff of monks and volunteer doctors provide free medical assistance to impoverished people. Additionally, free clinics are occasionally offered in other localities.
Scholarship Program: Around one hundred college students are assisted in their efforts to attain graduation.
Retreat House: Opened shortly after the monastery's foundation, the retreat center allows for individual and group retreats. Retreatants oftentimes join the monastic community for the liturgy.
Dependencies
St Anselm's Study House, Davao, Mindanao, Philippines is the only dependent house of St Benedict Conventual Priory. The foundation, 45 km from Digos, was established in 1988 for monks engaged in clerical studies at Davao'stheological school. At present, five Missionary Benedictine monks reside at St Anselm's Study House, as well as some monks from the Sylvestrine Benedictine monastery in Cebu. The study house's superior is Fr Philip Calambro.
Personnel
In 1990, the community included 21 monks: four Germans, two Koreans, and fifteen Filipinos. At this time, eight of the Filipinos had professed temporal vows, three were in the novitiate, and four were postulant monks. As of May 18, 2011, 11 solemnly professed monks were members of the monastic community at Digos. At this time, the conentual priory also included ten temporally professed monks, four of them studying theology in Davao. Conventual Prior Fr Edgar Friedmann is the current superior of the monastic community. He was elected and confirmed on October 26, 2002, and reelected in 2008. Prior Edgar is assisted in his duties by Fr Patrick Mariano, subprior.
