St. Procopius Abbey

St. Procopius Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in Lisle, Illinois. It was founded in 1885. The monastery is known for its dedication of services to the Czech and Slovak communities in Chicago, Illinois, and beyond.

History

The abbey traces its origins to 1885, when a group of Benedictine monks from St. Vincent Archabbey in Pennsylvania took over the direction of St. Procopius Parish in Chicago.^[1][2] The parish, established in 1875, served the growing Czech community in the Pilsen neighborhood.^[2]

In 1886, a brick priory was built at 1641 S. Allport Street to house the growing monastic community.^[2] As the Czech and Slovak communities began to disperse, the Benedictines started acquiring farmland in Lisle, about 20 miles west of Chicago.^[3]

Relocation and expansion

The abbey moved to Lisle in 1914, focusing on education.^[4] By the 1950s, the schools were thriving, prompting the monks to plan a new abbey campus.^[4] Construction of the current abbey began in 1968, following delays due to the Vatican II reforms.^[3]

Architecture

The current St. Procopius Abbey, designed by renowned Chicago architect Edward Dart, is considered a masterpiece of mid-20th century religious architecture.^[3] Key features include:

- A dominant church seating 700, with a sloping floor and simple wooden pews

- 75 monk cells arranged in staggered ranks down a hill

- Extensive use of natural light and simple materials like Chicago common brick and oak

- Seamless integration of various monastic functions within the complex

Activities and ministries

The monks of St. Procopius Abbey have engaged in various works throughout their history, including:

- Education: Founding and running schools, including what became Benedictine University^[4]

- Parish ministry

- Missionary work

- Scholarship and publishing^[5]

The abbey also maintains an Oblate program, allowing lay Christians to associate themselves with the Benedictine community and live according to the Rule of St. Benedict.^[5]

Recent developments

In June 2023, Benedictine University officially split from St. Procopius Abbey, becoming an independent Catholic university under the authority of the Diocese of Joliet.^[4]

St. Procopius Abbey continues to be an active Benedictine community, dedicated to seeking God through a life of prayer, obedience, and personal conversion.^[6]