After 18 years of presiding as abbot over the Mount Michael community, Abbot Theodore Wolff will be stepping down and a new abbot will be elected. On June 1, the 18th anniversary of Wolff’s being elected abbot, the community will vote on who will lead them in the next stage of their lives.

Being abbot is a lot like being president. Although the abbot has more power over affairs of the monastery and school, he also has more responsibility. “This election is very serious,” said Fr. Richard Thell. “It’s not like a class election.” The community will be thinking and praying about this election very diligently, for it decides who will be their new father figure.

This election not only changes the leadership of the community, but it can also cause difficulties within friendships. “Before the election of Abbot Theodore we were told by one retreat master that the relationship between monks changes once an abbot is elected,” Thell said. “The elected monk can not be your friend, or simply a fellow monk.” Thell went on to say how he and Abbot Theodore had known each other for a long time before he was elected Abbot. However, when Theodore was elected Abbot he was no longer a friend: he was a religious superior.

Although Abbot Raphael Walsh was abbot of Mount Michael for 25 years, he became abbot when he was younger. “Abbot Theodore realizes it’s time for new leadership,” Thell said. “He also wants to enjoy his senior years.” After starting the construction on the new monastery and the Poor Claire’s convent, Wolff has decided to pass on his responsibilities.

In order to be eligible to vote for the new abbot, members of the community must have made their solemn vows. This includes all members of the Mount Michael community except for Bro. August Schaefer. These are called the chapter members. Those eligible to be elected abbot must be 35 years old and a priest who has professed his solemn vows for five years. This includes all of the priests who are part of Mount Michael.

When the voting begins, Abbot Peter Eberle, who leads the Swiss-American Congregation of which Mount Michael is a part of, comes to preside over the election. A two-thirds majority is required to be elected. “The first ballot is usually never conclusive,” said Thell. “I think we will know by the second or third ballot.” If a decision is not made on the first three votes, the next six votes require an absolute majority. If this is not successful, then the presiding abbot appoints an administrator to preside over the community for a set time period, and then the process election process is repeated.

Once an abbot is selected, he is asked if he accepts and then becomes abbot right away. The pectoral cross, the golden cross often seen dangling around Abbot Theodore’s neck, is then placed on the new abbot.

This is the start of a new chapter in the history of Mount. . With the building of the new monastery, the construction of the Poor Claire’s convent and the electing of the new abbot, Mount Michael will be seeing major changes in the next several years. “The community is looking forward to this election,” Thell said. “This is a positive change for Mount Michael.” by John DeWald