Beyond the Classroom: Greenville Students Deepen Their Faith at Saint Meinrad Archabbey
Published: November 05, 2026
Author: Liz Dowell
An annual theology trip to Saint Meinrad Archabbey invites students to explore centuries-old Christian traditions, deepen their understanding of prayer, and reflect on their own spiritual journeys.
At 5:30 a.m., while much of southern Indiana remained asleep, Greenville University theology students gathered alongside Benedictine monks at Saint Meinrad Archabbey for morning prayer. Through the quiet chanting of Psalms and Scripture readings, students experienced a rhythm of worship far removed from their everyday routines.
For Margaret Bellew ’27, a double major in social work and theology with a concentration in ministry, the early morning prayers offered more than an introduction to monastic life. They challenged her understanding of spiritual discipline.
“I've always grown up and prayed and learned how serious praying was,” Bellew said. Yet witnessing the monks' devotion to prayer inspired her to deepen her own relationship with God.
“You can't grow in comfort,” she said, reflecting on the early morning services.
From Oct. 2–4, students enrolled in GU's Foundations of Christian Doctrine capstone course traveled to Saint Meinrad Archabbey, a Catholic Benedictine monastery in southern Indiana. The trip continues a Greenville tradition spanning more than 40 years, introducing theology students to Christian practices outside their familiar denominations.
Professor Bob Munshaw, who accompanied the students, experienced the same trip as a Greenville student in the early 1990s.
According to Munshaw, the experience encourages students to engage in ecumenical dialogue, examine their theological perspectives, and discover how Christians from different traditions practice their faith.
During the weekend, students participated in seven prayer services over two days, explored the monastery grounds, and were encouraged to disconnect from technology for personal reflection.
Beyond worship, students spent several hours with Brother Gregory, a Benedictine monk who shared his journey into monastic life and answered questions about the community's daily routines.
For Bellew, those conversations revealed an unexpected sense of familiarity. She learned that the monks maintained connections with their families, used technology, and pursued academic studies. She even discovered that she and Brother Gregory wore the same black Birkenstocks.
Yet what stayed with her most was the hospitality she experienced.
Bellew observed how the monks treated visitors with care and demonstrated a commitment to Christian brotherhood. Their example offered a different perspective on what it means to love one's neighbor through everyday actions.
The weekend also carried a deeply personal significance.
Bellew's grandfather, who died in March, frequently visited the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky. His appreciation for monastic life had become part of his family's memories, and Bellew found herself following a path he had cherished.
“I just felt really close to him during that time at the monastery,” she said.
What began as an academic experience became an opportunity to honor her grandfather's memory while exploring her own faith.
For Munshaw, that kind of reflection is central to the trip's purpose. Students return with a greater appreciation for the diversity of Christian worship and the centuries of tradition that continue to shape the Church.
Their learning will extend into the classroom as they complete final papers examining how their understanding of theology and Christian worship has developed throughout their time at Greenville University.
For Bellew, however, the lessons have already reached beyond the classroom.
The monastery reminded her that spiritual growth does not always come through familiar experiences. Sometimes, it begins by stepping outside one's comfort zone, embracing stillness, and discovering that faith can deepen through the traditions and stories of others.
