St. Mary's Abbey is a community of Benedictine monks praying and working in Morris County, New Jersey. We sponsor Delbarton School, an independent Catholic school for boys in grades 7-12, in continuing a 1,500-year monastic tradition of Benedictines engaged in Catholic liberal arts education, guiding students to strive for excellence in scholarship, spirituality, character and physical and mental health. The monks of St. Mary’s Abbey also serve as chaplains for local communities of women religious, assist neighboring parishes by serving as weekend assistants, and welcoming guests for a retreat within the serenity of the monastery.
Prior-Adminstrator of the Monastery
Fr. Edward Seton serves as prior-administrator of the monastery, with full abbatial authority without the title and dignity of an abbot, He teaches in Theology of Delbarton School. He also oversees an annual exchange program with Glenstal Abbey School in Co. Limerick, Ireland. The program allows a group of Delbarton and Glenstal students to visit these Benedictine schools in the winter and spring, respectively. Fr. Edward Seton is also a weekend assistant at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in nearby Bernardsville. Fr. Edward Seton is also a proud member if the Delbarton class of 1982, the son of an alumnus ('58) and nephew to 3 others (his uncles from the classes of '59, '72 and '75).
This externship seeks to introduce students to the vocation to religious life and/or the priesthood, whether they personally feel a calling or wish to learn more about one who has accepted God's call.
