st. benedict’s abbey
Atchison, KS
Mass
All masses on this schedule will be held in the main Abbey church; Church access is restricted to the Nave.
Mon - Sat
12:10 pm
10:00 am
Sunday
For More information about church hours, masses, confession and prayer schedule, click here.
Featured Media
60 Seconds
Communio
Newsletter
About Us
St. Benedict’s Abbey is a Catholic, Benedictine monastery located in Atchison, Kansas. Founded in 1857, the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey live according to the Rule of St. Benedict, praying and working for the glory of God and the good of the world.
Daily Schedule
Vocations
St. Benedict’s Abbey offers retreats for middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students, and adults. We also offer a host of resources and spiritual content.
Ministry
The Monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey are active in their ministry; Working and praying for the community around them. Monks serve as teachers, parish priests and spiritual leaders for many.
let us pray for you
Stream Monk Music
To celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our founding we came together in 2006 to record an album, On a Musical Journey, under the direction of our Choir Master, Fr. Blaine Schultz. To celebrate his legacy of music we have remastered the original recordings and are excited to share this new and improved version of the album! It is available to stream on Spotify and all streaming platforms!
Safe Environment
St. Benedict’s Abbey is committed to creating a safe environment for our friends, guests, and all those we serve. In the event of a credible allegation of misconduct, an investigation is immediately launched. See this page for our complete policy.
-
Update: Posted 6/18/2025
Phil Baniewicz restricted from all ministry in Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
On June 17, 2025, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas announced that Phil Baniewicz is restricted from all active ministry in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas due to an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a minor. These restrictions are based on previously unknown information, which has not been released in public media, provided to the archdiocese after the June 6 announcement that he was placed on administrative leave at Bishop Miege High School. This information has been reported to civil authorities.
Mr. Baniewicz is prohibited from engaging in youth ministry and volunteer work in any Catholic parish, school, institution or event in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. He is to refrain from representing the Church in any official, volunteer, ministerial, or leadership role. This includes participation in Life Teen, a Catholic youth ministry. In addition, Mr. Baniewicz has signed an archdiocesan safety plan which states he agrees not to contact anyone known to have made an accusation of abuse or misconduct against him, or who may be a witness known to him.
This action has been taken “in the interest of promoting the common good, protecting the vulnerable, and pursuing the truth of the matters being investigated,” Archbishop McKnight stated.
The restrictions are imposed for the duration of the ongoing preliminary investigation and through any subsequent process conducted in the Church’s judicial system.
These precautionary measures are no indication of guilt or wrongdoing.
The archdiocese will provide no further information regarding the investigation until it is concluded.
In keeping with archdiocesan protocols, the archdiocesan Office for Protection and Care is prepared and eager to listen to those with concerns, using a trauma-informed approach. Please call or text our hotline number at 913-276-8703 or visit archkck.org/reportabuse. Report any abuse to civil authorities first by calling the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.
“Each of us has a responsibility to ensure a safe environment that protects the dignity of our vulnerable sisters and brothers, especially children and youth,” Archbishop McKnight said. “I am grateful for all who ensure our schools and parishes are healthy and holy environments where people can flourish. Please continue to pray for those impacted by this situation, especially those who have experienced harm. May Mary, Mother of the Church, protect and guide us as we strive to follow her son.”
Important Statement from Archbishop Shawn McKnight Regarding Bishop Miege High School: Posted 6/7/25
Archbishop Shawn McKnight has issued the following statement regarding the president of Bishop Miege High School, Phil Baniewicz:
“The executive committee of Bishop Miege High School’s (BMHS) Board of Trustees has placed Phil Baniewicz on administrative leave, effective June 5, 2025. I support this action of the executive committee for the well-being of the school. Due to recent reports concerning his ability to oversee a safe environment for BMHS, a thorough investigation has been initiated.
“The executive committee of the board of BMHS has appointed Joe Schramp as interim president.
“As this is a confidential personnel matter, no further information will be provided until the investigation is concluded.
“Our commitment is to make our schools and parishes places where every child feels safe, supported, and valued. This necessitates not only immediate action when concerns arise but also a continuous evaluation of our policies to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent harm. Through our efforts of accountability and transparency, we aim to foster trust and to respect the dignity of every person.
“In keeping with our protocols, our Office for Protection and Care is prepared and eager to listen to you, using a trauma-informed approach. Please call or text our hotline number at 913-276-8703 or visit archkck.org/reportabuse.
“I ask you to join me in prayers for all involved in this situation: our students, their families, Mr. Baniewicz, our school community and our archdiocesan community.
“Thank you for your prayers and for your witness of faith. May Mary, Mother of Church, protect us and guide us as we strive to follow her son, Jesus.”
-
Allegation Announcement: Fr. John “Fidelis” Forrester, OSB
With deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (“Archdiocese”) and St. Benedict’s Abbey (“Abbey”), announce that Father John “Fidelis” Forrester, OSB, has recently been the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that occurred in this Archdiocese; he was previously found to have substantiated allegations outside of the Archdiocese. After a thorough investigation, these allegations were found credible. Fr. Forrester has been added to the Archdiocesan list of clerics with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
Fr. Forrester served in the following parishes/schools during his parish ministry in the Archdiocese:
Camp St. Maur Hill, Atchison
Maur Hill-Mount Academy, Atchison
Mount St. Scholastica Academy, Atchison
Ursuline Academy, Paola
St. Peter and St. Paul, Seneca
In addition, he served at these dioceses:
Diocese of Davenport, Iowa
The Archdiocese Substantiated Clergy Offenders listing on the website has been updated and can be found here: Substantiated Clergy Offenders – Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (archkck.org).
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and St. Benedict’s Abbey take all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously and work to respond to survivors’ needs with urgency, respect, and compassion. We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — to contact civil authorities first, and then call or text the Archdiocese’s confidential report line at 913-276-8703 or online at www.archkck.org/reportabuse.
Allegation Announcement: Donald Redmond, OSB
With deep sorrow for the suffering of victims and survivors of abuse, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (“Archdiocese”) and St. Benedict’s Abbey (“Abbey”), Atchison, announce that Father Donald Redmond, OSB, has recently been the subject of substantiated allegations of abuse. After a thorough investigation, these allegations were found credible. Fr. Redmond was previously published on this list, but additionally, he has substantiated allegations of abuse against an adult.
Fr. Redmond served in the following parishes/schools during his parish ministry in the Archdiocese:
St. Peter and St. Paul, Seneca
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, Lawrence
Benedictine College, Atchison
Sacred Heart Parish, Atchison
St. James Parish, Wetmore
Sacred Heart Parish, Sabetha
St. Augustine Parish, Fidelity
In addition, he served in the Diocese of Davenport, Iowa.
The Archdiocese Substantiated Clergy Offenders listing on the website has been updated and can be found here: Substantiated Clergy Offenders – Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (archkck.org).
The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and St. Benedict’s Abbey take all allegations of misconduct by church personnel very seriously and work to respond to survivors’ needs with urgency, respect, and compassion. We encourage anyone with knowledge about any misconduct by a church volunteer, employee, religious or clergy member — regardless of when the abuse may have occurred — to contact civil authorities first, and then call or text the Archdiocese’s confidential report line at 913-276-8703 or online at www.archkck.org/reportabuse.