GOFFSTOWN — The past two weeks have been a whirlwind for Abbot Mark Cooper, who was elected as St. Anselm's fifth abbot and chancellor of the college on June 5.

Cooper has yet to move out of the office he occupied as vice president of finance, a position that he held for the past 33 years, but said he is going to be doing some very different work for St. Anselm.

“I have to shift gears in a very extensive way and really focus of the needs of my brothers in the community,” he said.

In addition to becoming the highest-ranking official at the college, Cooper will also act as the St. Anselm Abbey's spiritual leader.

Cooper said one of his goals is to make the monastery a community that is true to its founder, St. Benedict of Nursia, and the teachings of the Roman Catholic church.

While many are familiar with St. Anselm College, most aren't as familiar with what it is to be a Benedictine.

“It's a life basically of prayer lived with a community of brothers,” said Cooper. “Attached to it is some work that's hopefully helpful to the church and the community. The work changes, but it's the prayer life that's at the center of the vocation.”

One of the vows taken by the Benedictine monks is that of stability, which can help explain why Cooper has been at St. Anselm College since 1967.

A 1971 graduate of St. Anselm College, Cooper spent some brief time in California, but has essentially remained at the college since then.

Cooper said the presence of the monks on campus becomes familiar to students.

“They come to this campus and see how we're dressed, and they see that there is a special dedication to this life,” he said, adding that faith is at the center of what the brothers do.

“They see a focus to our life that's more easily seen than with other things,” he said.

Yet Cooper said there are misperceptions about what it is to be a Benedictine monk.

“We're all pilgrims,” Cooper said, like everyone else trying to make a way through life. He said they experience heartache, misunderstanding and hard times like everyone else, but have a prayer life that sees them through.

“That's what's going to hold you together when things get difficult,” he said.

On campus, Cooper said many think the brothers are alike and think the same way, but they all have their own opinions and ideas.

The June 5 election was a two-day process, shrouded in mystery and solemnity. The community of Benedictine monks agreed that no cell phones or texting would be used to announce he news that the election was complete, opting to let the pealing of church bells do the job of spreading the word.

When the brothers entered the St. Anselm College church, the only things that would mark the new abbot were his place in the procession — second to last — and the wearing of a pectoral cross.

Cooper was moved by the reaction of the hundreds who gathered in the church to welcome and congratulate him.

“We had communicated with the community about having a little Thanksgiving service,” Cooper said, and had no idea so many would turn out for the event.

“To me, it was not about me,” he said. “They came, I believe, in support of our community, and that was felt and appreciated by the community.”

Cooper said he believes that the dedication of the brothers to monastic life is visible to others, and that they strive to lead lives that are generous and holy.

“That was what that outpouring last Tuesday was about,” Cooper said. “It's about the Lord.”

For now, Cooper has no plans to make any grand changes at St. Anselm.

“I think any abbot would be wise, initially, to get the lay of the land,” he said. “But you want to do as best you can to play your role in shaping things in the best way for the college and the abbey.”

kremillard@newstote.com