Hilltop Hangouts

“Hilltop Hangouts” takes place in a monastery – so we are welcoming Fr. John Paul Le, OSB, back on the podcast to explain what exactly a monastery is! Along with our hosts, Fr. John Paul explores how a monk is called to be “single-hearted” in his search for God, how a structured life actually frees up your soul, and what it means to be in community with the brotherhood of monks. - - - Mount Angel...

As we move toward the close of the Easter season and the Feast of Pentecost, Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B, joins Hilltop Hangouts once again to share insight on this important time in the Church year. He reflects on how Christians are called each year to a deeper understanding of the Resurrection and our living witness to it, as well as important hallmarks of the Easter season, the meaning of the...

We are still in the Easter season! If you have found yourself struggling to remember that this is a time of rejoicing, now is a perfect time to revisit the beautiful “Exsultet,” the proclamation of Easter. Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B, joins Hilltop Hangouts once again to examine this incredible poem, and encourages us to pray with it throughout the Easter season. He reflects on the exhortation to...

In a special Holy Week edition of "Hilltop Hangouts," our hosts Father Anselm Flores, OSB, and Dr. Anna Petrin are joined by Br. Alfredo Miranda, OSB. Together they discuss the importance of holy sites, how we can go on pilgrimage through devotions like the Stations of the Cross, and how the sacred Liturgy makes the events of salvation history present to us in a mystical way. In these most sacred...

In the latest installment of “Hilltop Hangouts,” our hosts Dr. Anna Petrin and Fr. Anselm Flores discuss St. Benedict of Nursia with Br. Jesse Ochoa-Gonzalez. As the founder of the Benedictine order in the 6th century, St. Benedict had a profound impact both in his own monastic order and beyond. Hear Fr. Jesse’s favorite story on the life of St. Benedict, what it’s like to visit the places he live...

In the Christmas edition of "Hilltop Hangouts," our hosts Father Anselm Flores, OSB, and Dr. Anna Petrin are joined by Prior Fr. Teresio Caldwell, OSB. Hear about the Christmas traditions of monks, including why the Abbot is “basically Santa” and the daunting task of setting up the Christmas tree. They also discuss how silence and celebration go together, how Christ surprises us at Christmas, and...

In this special Advent episode, Fr. John Paul Le, OSB, joins "Hilltop Hangouts" to discuss the beautiful season of Advent with hosts Fr. Anselm Flores, OSB, and Dr. Anna Petrin. Learn why Advent is a penitential season, how our Blessed Mother can teach us to wait well, and how to keep the "feel" of Advent instead of jumping ahead to Christmas. - - - Mount Angel Abbey is a place to seek things abov...

In the first episode of Hilltop Hangouts , our hosts Father Anselm Flores, OSB, and Dr. Anna Petrin share their hopes for this new podcast! They explain the Benedictine value of hospitality, their desire to invite everyone into conversation, and what monastic life can teach all of us. - - - Mount Angel Abbey is a place to seek things above, where people have communion with God and with each other....