Saint Leo Abbey facts for kids
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Monastery information | |
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| Order | Benedictines |
| Established | June 1889 |
| Mother house | St. Vincent Archabbey |
| Diocese | Saint Petersburg |
| Controlled churches | Church of the Holy Cross |
| People | |
| Abbot | Rt. Rev. Isaac Camacho, O.S.B. |
| Prior | Very Rev. Lucius Amarillas, O.S.B. |
| Bishop | Most Rev. Gregory Parkes |
| Architecture | |
| Status | active |
| Heritage designation | National Register of Historic Places |
| Designated date | January 7, 1998 |
| Architect | Frank Parziole |
| Style | Italian Romanesque |
| Groundbreaking | September 19, 1936 |
| Site | |
| Location | Pasco County, Florida; St. Leo, Florida |
| Coordinates | 28°20′14″N 82°15′36″W / 28.33722°N 82.26000°W |
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Saint Leo Abbey
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| Area | 100 acres (0.40 km2) |
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| NRHP reference No. | 97001637 |
| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1998 |
Saint Leo Abbey is a special home for Benedictine monks in Saint Leo, Florida, United States. It is a type of monastery where monks live, work, and pray together.
Contents
History of Saint Leo Abbey
Saint Leo Abbey started its journey in 1882 in Pasco County, Florida. This was when Judge Edmund F. Dunne created a Catholic community called San Antonio. In 1886, Father Gerard Pilz, a Benedictine monk, arrived in Florida. He was the first Benedictine in the state. He came because the local bishop, John Moore, asked for a German-speaking priest. Many German immigrants were moving to the area at that time.
In 1888, another Benedictine group took over the work in the colony. Then, in February 1889, Benedictine nuns came from Pennsylvania and started Holy Name Monastery.
Abbot Leo Haid helped set up Saint Leo College, which is now Saint Leo University. On June 4, 1889, both Saint Leo College and the Benedictine mission were officially started. They were built on land given by Judge Dunne. The mission became an independent priory in 1894. It was then made into an abbey on September 25, 1902, by Pope Leo XIII.
The monks at Saint Leo Abbey did more than just serve the local Catholic community. They also helped create Catholic churches in many other towns. These included nearby places like Dade City and Zephyrhills. They even started churches as far away as New York and Cuba. For many years, Saint Leo's Benedictine monks helped lead churches across northern Florida. They also sent missionaries to Argentina in the second half of the 20th century. The abbey continued to provide priests for churches in Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties until the late 1990s.
The current leader of Saint Leo Abbey is Abbot Isaac Camacho. He is the sixth abbot to serve there.
Saint Leo University's Beginnings
On June 4, 1889, the Florida government approved a plan for the Benedictine monks to build a school. This school later grew into Saint Leo University. In 1969, the Benedictines handed over control of the university to an independent board.
The Church of the Holy Cross
In 1935, Abbot Francis Sadlier decided to build a new church for the abbey. A Tampa architect named Frank Parziole designed the church. He used a style called Romanesque, which is known for its round arches and strong walls. The Church of the Holy Cross was officially opened on January 29, 1948. In 1998, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Saint Leo Abbey Historic District
On January 7, 1998, the Saint Leo Abbey Historic District became part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This special area is located in St. Leo, Florida, right on the campus of Saint Leo University. It covers about 100 acres (0.4 square kilometers) and includes three important historical buildings.
Leaders of Saint Leo Abbey
Here are the Abbots who have led Saint Leo Abbey over the years:
| Charles Mohr, O.S.B. | 1902 – 1931 |
| Francis Sadlier, O.S.B. | 1929 – 1954 (He was a Coadjutor Abbot from 1929 to 1931, helping the main abbot) |
| Marion Bowman, O.S.B. | 1954 – 1969 |
| Fidelis Dunlap, O.S.B. | 1970 – 1985 |
| Patrick Shelton, O.S.B. | 1985 – 1996 |
| several administrators | 1996 – 2007 (During this time, different people managed the abbey) |
| Isaac Camacho, O.S.B. | 2007 – present |
Saint Leo Abbey Today
As of 2019, the monks living at Saint Leo Abbey come from all over the United States. Their ages range from twenty-three to seventy-four years old.
Gallery
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The entrance to Saint Leo Abbey Church.
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The Church of the Holy Cross at Saint Leo Abbey.
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A door leading into the Monastery.
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A beautiful mosaic above the entrance.
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An aerial view showing both the Abbey and the University.
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The entrance to Saint Leo University.
See also
In Spanish: Abadía de San León para niños
