Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

From Hilltop Hangouts by Mater Dei Radio & Mount Angel Abbey

December 23, 2025 · 23 min

About this episode

The episode discusses Christmas traditions among monks and the significance of family and celebration during the holiday season.

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 why time with family is so important. Merry Christmas! - - - Mount Angel Abbey is a place to seek things above, where people have communion with God and with each other. Join Father Anselm Flores, OSB, and Dr. Anna Petrin on “Hilltop Hangouts” for spiritual conversations with special guests exploring life at Mount Angel Abbey. Fr. Anselm is a monk of Mount Angel Abbey and the Coordinator of the Mount Angel Institute. Dr. Petrin is a professor of theology at Mount Angel Seminary. Hilltop Hangouts is a collaboration between Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict, Oregon, and Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon. Learn more about Mount Angel Abbey: mountangelabbey.org Learn more about Mater Dei Radio: materdeiradio.com

People in this episode

Hosts: Father Anselm Flores, OSB, Dr. Anna Petrin

Guest: Prior Fr. Teresio Caldwell, OSB

Topics covered

  • Christmas traditions
  • monastic life
  • silence and celebration
  • family importance
  • spiritual conversations

Keywords

  • Christmas
  • monks
  • traditions
  • silence
  • celebration
  • family
  • spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mount Angel Abbey, Mater Dei Radio

Places: Saint Benedict, Oregon, Portland, Oregon

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