Fr Thomas Hillenbrand was so chosen abbot of Blue Cloud Abbey in October 1992. With a degree from Notre Dame University in Liturgy, Abbot Thomas began work, almost immediately, for good liturgy. In choir, the monks, in monastic habits, began singing more Hours of Divine Office than in the past. Under his direction, the Office Prayer Books were redone into 12 volumes so that both monks and visitors (and there are many) can easily follow the Office. Fr Tom has worked for the Eucharist to be more inviting and spiritually uplifting. The most frequent comment from visitors is how much they enjoy being able to join the monks for Office and Liturgy. Currently, Fr Tom is on sabatical in Australia, having retired from being abbot in January of 2009.


Prayer and Work, the Benedictine motto, is the center piece of a monk's life. Fr Tom, as the spiritual father, daily leads the monks in choir in praying the Divine Office; every Thursday he is the principal celebrant for the community Mass (picture on right); anoints the infirmed monks in special ceremonies (picture on left anointing the sick). As the abbot he leads the community in celebrating the life and bidding farewell to our deceased monks (picture on left of funeral). One of his happiest moments as abbot is to welcome a new member into the community (picture on right, receiving a novice into temporary vows).

His interest in theology and Church teachings led him as a young priest to pursue  a licentiate degree in theology from San Anselmo College in Rome. This interest and knowledge of theology is reflected in his weekly sermons.

Fr Tom relishes the Work aspect of Benedictine life. No two days work schedule are the same. He may be found in meeting with a monk, or with a committee, periodically he meets with the whole community; telephone calls can require much of his time along with desk work, both of which are not his favorite chores. He has a hands-on approach to the formation of associates who come for a short stay and candidates preparing to enter the novitiate. (picture on right meeting with associates)
He enjoys getting out of his office and doing manual labor. In the afternoons he is usually found in the carpentry shop making or fixing something. His specialty is making coffins for monks' funerals. He will even try his hand in the kitchen or pitching in to help with a special project.



All work and no play can dull even an abbot. Welcoming smile is a hallmark of Fr Tom as picture on the left shows him giving candy to a treat-or-treater on Halloween. In the summer he can be found on the tennis courts or handball courts; in the winter he likes to put on the skis and do cross country.

As abbot he did his best to be fair and just with all monks. He said the most difficult thing about being an abbot or monk is living in a small community with so many different personalities; he is quick to add, the best part of being an abbot or monk is living in a small community with so many different personalities.

Fr Tom didn't come to office unprepared to lead. Besides his additional education and degrees mentioned above, he held different offices: Prior at the monastery in Coban Guatemala, ministry at St Michael Indian Mission in North Dakota, chaplain at Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton South Dakota, and Novice Master at Blue Cloud.

He entered Blue Cloud Abbey in 1959 at the age of 20. He brought with him early life experiences with 5 siblings in Evansville Indiana. 3 brothers are married, his only sister is a Benedictine sister at Ferdinand Indiana, his brother priest died while serving in Coban Guatemala.