A Community Rich in History

Marmion traces its roots to Jasper Academy, Jasper IN, founded in 1889, a college preparatory school operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Meinrad Abbey in southern IN. The monks of St. Meinrad came to Aurora from Jasper in the summer of 1933 to accept a boys high school named Fox Valley Catholic located in Aurora, IL.

At the request of the Bishop of the Rockford Diocese the Benedictines assumed ownership and management, changing the schools name to “Marmion” in honor of the late Abbot Columba Marmion O.S.B. whose writing are considered classics of the spiritual life.

By 1947, the Benedictine Monks had grown in numbers to the point that the community was formally established as an “abbey” by Pope Pius XII. At this time the jurisdiction and responsibility for the academy was totally transferred from St. Meinrad Abbey to the community of Marmion Abbey.

Full Review of Marmion's history