Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback

Roles of Abbot, Prior, Subprior and Father Superior in a Monastery

Question:

What are the roles of an Abbot, Prior, Sub-Prior, and Father-Superior in a Benedictine/Cistercian monastery?

Answer:

An abbot, prior and father superior are synonyms for the same role, namely, the monk or friar in charge of a monastery. A subprior serves under the prior. He is the second superior in a priory, and the third in an abbey.

For more information, see this article on priors and this one on abbots.

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us