The Monks

Prior Gregory Mohrman

As the monastery’s first alumnus-monk and the school’s first alumnus-headmaster, Father Gregory has had a lifelong relationship with the abbey family. As his mother recalls, the moment he was born his father called the Prior to enroll him in the school. He discerned his call to be a monk while still a student at the Priory School—a call he would answer only after he had tested it thoroughly at the University of Pennsylvania.

At the start of his monastic life, Father Prior expected that he would dedicate his life to prayer and teaching, perhaps one day becoming the Novice Master. He will indeed be remembered as the Novice Master but also as the Prior, Headmaster of the school for ten years, and a host of other titles. As Headmaster, Father Gregory worked to strengthen the school’s religious formation and Benedictine character, while increasing demand and enrollment, and maintaining its rigorous academic standards. Abbot Thomas called him an “outstanding boys’ headmaster.” Father Gregory was moved to administration in the abbey as Prior and Novice Master in 2005 to meet the monastery’s growing needs.

Abbot Luke, reflecting upon Father Gregory’s life and specifically his lack of interest in doctoral studies, despite his intellect, noted: “He tends to see himself more as a practical person, who is more suited to teaching, counseling, and administration, than to research. I believe he is right.”

Father Prior also dedicates several hours each week to facilitating Lectio Divina prayer groups, a great interest of his.