May 2017 Norbertine Ordination Celebration at St. Norbert Abbey

I hope my achievements shall be these:

  • that I will have fought for what was right and fair,
  • that I will have risked for that which mattered,
  • that I will have given drink to the thirsty,
  • that I will have welcomed the stranger,
  • that I will have clothed the naked,
  • that I will have cared for the ill,
  • that I will have visited the imprisoned,
  • that I will have left the earth a better place for what I’ve done and who I’ve been.
—Adapted from Matthew 25 and C. Hoppe

On Saturday, May 27, 2017, Rev. Frater Michael J. Brennan, O. Praem., will be ordained to the priesthood. The Mass of Ordination will be celebrated by Most Rev. David L. Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay, at 2:30 p.m. in the church of St. Norbert Abbey.

On Sunday, May 28, 2017, the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord, Rev. Brennan will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. in the church of St. Norbert Abbey.


In the News

Faith calendar for May 20
May 20, 2017
South Bend Tribune


from St. Norbert Abbey on Vimeo


Rev. Frater Michael Joseph Brennan, O. Praem.

Ordination to the Priesthood

Statue of St. Norbert of Xanten (1080-1134) | St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin | Sculptor: Paul T. Granlund
Statue of St. Norbert of Xanten (1080-1134) | St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin | Sculptor: Paul T. Granlund
Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.

Deacon Brennan, 39, is the son of Michael and Dorothy Brennan of Michigan City, Indiana, and a son of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Michigan City. His parents now belong to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger, Indiana.

Deacon Brennan was vested in the white Norbertine habit in August 2011 and professed Simple Vows in August 2013. He professed Solemn Vows on August 28, 2016, the Solemnity of St. Augustine, and was ordained to the diaconate the following day.

A 1995 graduate of Marquette Catholic High School, Michigan City, Deacon Brennan graduated from St. Norbert College (SNC), De Pere, in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology and a minor in religious studies.

In 2001 he received a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He was also named Teacher of the Year at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, White Castle, Louisiana (1999-2000), and at Ascension Catholic Middle School, Donaldsonville, Louisiana (2001-2002), and received the Young Alumni Award from SNC (2005).

Deacon Brennan completed his Masters of Divinity in May 2017 and anticipates completing an M.A. in Scripture in the fall of 2017. Both degrees are granted by Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

After his priestly ordination, Fr. Brennan will be assigned to SNC, where he will serve in sacramental, teaching and vocation ministries.

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Upcoming Events with Deacon Brennan

at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality at St. Norbert Abbey

May 24 | Coffee and Conversation with Deacon Michael Brennan, O. Praem.

September 29-October 1 | Beside Restful Waters: A Retreat for Men at Morgan Lake
Facilitated by (soon-to-be) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., and Tony Pichler

December 16 | Advent Series: Hear God’s Voice in the Deserts of Our Lives
Presented by (soon-to-be) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.

March 8-17, 2018 | A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
With spiritual host (soon-to-be) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.

Ongoing Program: Sunrise Scripture
Facilitated by (soon-to-be) Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem., Fr. David Komatz, O. Praem., Tony Pichler, and Kathie Tilot

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