Sections

Many members of the Forum belong to ABF “sections.” Sections facilitate communication among members who have common interests. Current sections are Archives, Monastic Researchers, Visual Arts, and Library.

The Archives Section is for those who keep the archives of their monasteries and for all friends of the archives. Monastic archives house community records which are no longer in current use but are of enduring value, ensuring their availability to scholars and researchers. The Archives Section is a resource for newly appointed monastic archivists as well as a community for all monastic archivists and archive volunteers. If you would like more information or have suggestions, please contact: Virginia Jung, OSB, St. Scholastica Monastery, 7430 N. Ridge Blvd., Chicago, IL 60645 [email protected]

The Monastic Researchers Section is a forum for those studying monastic history, spirituality or related fields and includes many scholars who are not members of religious communities as well as the monastics. A regular newsletter announces new publications by members, topics of current research and other items to facilitate networking among those fostering scholarship in this field, edited by Father Greg Peters, OblSB. Sister Colleen Maura McGrane is the current convenor of the section and may be reached at: [email protected]

The Visual Arts Section provides for sharing and support among ABF members who practice painting/drawing, sculpture/pottery, photography, textile arts, or any branch of the visual arts.

The Library Section provides a forum for monastery librarians as well as librarians of their sponsored institutions and anyone interested in monastic resources.