Joyful news from St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, California! The Norbertine community has elected Fr. John Caronan as their new abbot—the third in the abbey’s history. As abbot, he assumes a lifelong office as the spiritual father and leader of the community, though Church law requires abbots to submit their resignation upon reaching the age of 75.
As I followed the reactions, I found myself quietly rejoicing along with many others. Fr. Caronan (now the Right Reverend Abbot John Caronan) is a Norbertine Canon, part of an order with nearly nine hundred years of history centered on communal prayer, the solemn celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, and faithful pastoral service.
Ordained in 1994, he has served in parishes entrusted to the abbey, most notably at St. John the Baptist Church in Costa Mesa, and has also held important roles in the Diocese of Orange, including as Judicial Vicar. Those who know him speak of a grounded, holy, and caring priest with a real love for beautiful, reverent worship.
What makes this election especially meaningful, from what I can gather in the online discussions, is the character of St. Michael’s Abbey itself. This thriving community—filled with priests and many seminarians—has become a beacon of liturgical prayer and traditional Catholic formation in Southern California.
The Norbertines there have long been generous in providing the Traditional Latin Mass and reverent celebrations of the Novus Ordo, nourishing many souls in the process. For Catholics who love Sacred Tradition, this moment feels like a sign of continuity and hope: a community that has grown steadily, built a striking new monastery, and continued to draw vocations remains in steady hands.
Scrolling through the reactions, I must admit something personal: before this announcement, I had never heard of Fr. Caronan. Yet I am genuinely happy—deeply happy—to learn that he has Filipino roots, as several comments suggest.
In a Church that spans every nation and culture, there is something especially encouraging about seeing a son of the Philippines entrusted with this role of spiritual fatherhood in a prominent American abbey. It is a reminder of the Catholic Church’s universality: one faith embracing many peoples, languages, and cultures, each bringing its own gifts to the service of Christ and His Church.
For Filipino Catholics, it is a moment of quiet pride and gratitude, and a testament to how the Lord continues to raise up shepherds from every corner of the world.
In the end, this is more than just a change in leadership at a monastery. From the reactions online, it is clear that St. Michael’s Abbey continues to inspire many people who love the Church’s liturgical and spiritual traditions.
May God bless Abbot John Caronan with wisdom, strength, and many fruitful years of service. And may St. Michael’s Abbey continue to be a beacon of faith for all who are drawn to the timeless treasures of Catholic Tradition.
Te Deum laudamus.
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