Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB, was elected the sixth abbot of Marmion Abbey on August 19, 2023. He succeeded Abbot John Brahill, OSB, upon his retirement after 13 years of dedicated service. As abbot, he oversees the spiritual life of the monastic community and serves as president of Marmion Inc.

Abbot Joel grew up in Aurora and is the second of Joseph and Helen Rippinger’s six children. Though not an alumnus of Marmion Academy, his family has long-standing ties to the school. His father, five uncles, and four brothers all graduated from Marmion. Abbot Joel’s early interest in monastic life began during Vocation Weeks at MarmionAcademy, which inspired him to attend Saint Meinrad Minor Seminary in Indiana for high school and college.

He entered Marmion Abbey in 1968 and completed his college education at Saint Procopius College in 1970. Abbot Joel earned a master’s degree in American history from the University of Notre Dame and later completed a Licentiate in Sacred Theology, specializing in Monastic Studies, at Sant’AnselmoAteneo in Rome. He made his solemn profession in 1973 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1974.