Philip Anderson (abbot)

Abbot Philip Anderson, born in 1953, is the current abbot of the Benedictine monastery, Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey, situated in Hulbert, Oklahoma. Born and raised in a Unitarian family, he converted to Catholicism during his university years and later pursued a monastic life. After serving in monasteries in France, Anderson helped establish Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma, which is known for its adherence to traditional monastic life and liturgy, including the 1962 Roman Missal and Gregorian chant.

Early life and conversion
His early life was spent in Prairie Village, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City. For his higher education, he attended the University of Kansas, where he was part of an innovative undergraduate course known as the Pearson Integrated Humanities Program from 1971 to 1973. This program was instrumental in leading a wave of students, including Anderson, towards conversion to the Catholic Church.

Monastic vocation
Following his academic pursuits, Anderson served a two-year enlistment in the United States Marines Corps from 1973 to 1975. Subsequently, he joined a contemplative Benedictine monastery in France, Notre Dame de Fontgombault Abbey, along with other graduates of the Pearson program at the University of Kansas.

Upon completion of his monastic formation and receiving ordination to the priesthood in 1984, Father Anderson, along with a group of others, was sent to establish a new monastery in southern France, Notre Dame de Triors. Here, he held several roles including prior, novice master, and lecturer of moral theology, and also contributed to the daily running of the monastery, including overseeing the chicken coop and vegetable garden.

Return to the United States
In 1999, Father Anderson and twelve other monks were sent back to the United States to establish the Clear Creek Monastery in the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This monastery has since flourished into a vibrant community of over sixty monks. In addition to the growth of the monastic community, a number of families have relocated to live in the vicinity of the abbey, leading to the formation of a burgeoning Catholic village.

In 2010, the monastery was elevated to the status of an abbey, and Father Anderson received the blessing as the first abbot of Our Lady of Clear Creek on April 10, 2010, from Bishop Edward Slattery. This marked a significant milestone in the history of the monastery and in the life of Abbot Philip Anderson.

Abbot Philip Anderson's life journey, from his early days in Kansas to his leadership of a thriving Benedictine monastery in Oklahoma, is a story of faith, commitment, and service. His contributions extend beyond the spiritual guidance of the monastic community to include the development of a Catholic community around the abbey. His life's work continues to serve as an inspiration for many on their spiritual path.