History

Key Moments in the History of Marmion Abbey

The story of Marmion Abbey is one of faith, formation, and service. Rooted in the Benedictine tradition and deeply tied to the founding and growth of Marmion Academy, the Abbey has been a spiritual home for generations of monks and a source of education, pastoral care, and community outreach. From humble beginnings in downtown Aurora to a thriving monastic community, Marmion Abbey’s journey continues to unfold as God has planned.

1933– Bishop Edward Hoban invites the Benedictines of St. Meinrad Abbey to staff Fox Valley Catholic High School for Boys in Aurora. The school is renamed Marmion in honor of Abbot Columba Marmion, O.S.B.

April 20, 1933– St. Meinrad Abbey formally accepts the invitation to establish the Aurora foundation.

August 1, 1943– Marmion is made a dependent priory of St. Meinrad Abbey; full monastic life begins in Aurora with 13 priest-monks and 2 brother-monks.

March 21, 1947– Marmion is elevated to an independent abbey. Father Gerald Benkert becomes the first abbot; the community has 32 charter members.

August 21, 1952– The monks move into a newly built abbey on Butterfield Road, northeast of Aurora.

September 1959– Marmion Military Academy opens residential facilities on the Butterfield Road property; day students remain at the Lake Street campus.

1960– The community grows to about 60 monks. Abbot Gerald sends Fr. Matthias Zinkan to Guatemala, leading to the formation of the Priory of San José.

December 1969– Abbot Mark Hogan is elected second abbot.

1970– The abbey’s first crop of Christmas trees is harvested, marking the beginning of Abbey Farms’ evergreen cultivation.

1971–Abbot Mark resigns and is succeeded by Abbot David Cyr onNovember 26, 1971.

1991– Abbot Vincent Bataille becomes the fourth abbot of Marmion Abbey.

1994– Infirmary wing is added to the abbey building to better care for aging monks.

1997– Construction begins on a dedicated abbey church.

August 1, 1998– The Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury is formally dedicated.

June 2009– The Abbey celebrates the 75th anniversary of its founding.

June 2010– Fr. John Brahill is elected the fifth abbot.

March 2020– Abbey Church closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2021– The Abbey Church reopens to the public for weekday and Sunday liturgies.

August 19, 2023– Abbot Joel Rippinger is elected the sixth abbot of Marmion Abbey.

September 23, 2023– Abbot Joel is blessed by Bishop David Malloy of Rockford.

November 16, 2024– The Abbey Chapter votes to support the Academy’s plan to implement a coeducational hybrid option by 2026.