Summer Conference History

Since 1983 the Summer Conference has provided participants with time for reflection and renewal. The annual Conference themes explore the challenges of living our faith: How do we make holy our chosen roles as parents, teachers, business owners or employees and create a bit more of the Kingdom of God here in our time?   We believe that when we explore ways to live out the Gospel in our families and communities, we are building the Church.

 The Summer Conference, originally known as the Mount Angel Summer Conference, was hosted by Mount Angel Abbey for the first 25 years. A change in Conference venue and sponsorship was needed in 2007, the 25th year of the Conference. In 2008 long-time conference participants formed Engelberg Conference a non-profit organization and re-initiated Conference in its new location at the University of Portland. The Conference continues to maintain strong ties to Mount Angel Abbey and the  Benedictine philosophy of integrating work and prayer, that comes from our roots at Mount Angel Abbey, continues to permeate the activities of the Summer Conference.