Gift Planner
The
Investing in tomorrow’s church
FALL 2025 • No. 131
A Legacy of Faith, Hope, and Love Just as the monks of Saint Meinard leave their legacy through lives of prayer and service, so too can others participate in the sacred tradition of self-giving. This legacy is not confined to the cloister; it extends into the lives of those who feel called to support the mission of Saint Meinrad and the broader Church through their own gifts.
A legacy is often understood as the imprint a person leaves behind—a quiet echo of their values, memories, accomplishments, and generosity. It’s the enduring influence they have on the lives they’ve touched, the communities they’ve served, and the causes they’ve cherished. Whether personal, professional, or philanthropic, a legacy becomes most profound when it is rooted in faith; when it reflects a life lived in response to God’s call to love and serve others. Saint Meinrad is a sacred place where such legacies are not only created, but also received, honored, and shared. On this holy hill, people from all walks of life find space to listen to God and live out their calling, and in doing so, contribute to a spiritual heritage that transcends generations. For the monks of Saint Meinrad, legacy is not something pursued; it
is something lived. Through a life steeped in prayer, service, and hospitality, they embody Benedictine tradition and the example of St. Meinrad himself. Their daily commitment to The Rule of St. Benedict shapes the rhythm of the community, emphasizing humility, obedience, and stability. Whether teaching, mentoring, creating, or laboring, each monk offers his gifts in service to others, helping to enrich the broader Church and world. Yet perhaps the most enduring legacy is found in the quiet constancy of their prayer. Anchored in the liturgies of Word and Sacrament, their contemplative life sustains the spiritual heart of the community and lifts up the needs of the Church and the world. It is a legacy not marked by monuments, but by the steady, faithful presence of lives given wholly to God.
By thoughtfully engaging in charitable planning, donors can ensure that their values continue to bear fruit long after they are gone. Whether through bequests, endowments, or other forms of planned gifts, these acts of generosity become a living testament to one’s faith and commitment to the spiritual and educational work carried out at Saint Meinrad. Such gifts help sustain the formation of future Church leaders, support the monastic community, and extend hospitality and spiritual nourishment to countless others. In this way, alumni, friends, and benefactors become co-builders of a legacy rooted in love, service, and faith that will continue to shape the Church and the world for generations to come. ◆