Born in July, 1918, the third of eleven children to the late Leo and Theresa Sander of Tillamook, Father Bernard Sander, OSB, was educated by the Sisters of St. Mary's of Oregon before entering Mount Angel Seminary in 1935. Three years later he entered the monastic community and upon the completion of his studies, Father Bernard was ordained to the priesthood, on May 18, 1944. Fr. Bernard served 25 years as the Vice-Rector and later Rector of Mount Angel Seminary (1945-1970), followed by 23 years the Guest Master of the Abbey Guest House (1970-1993). Now in his 61st year as a priest, Father is known, loved and respected among his monastic community and others whose lives he has touched as a man of ideas and action.

While rector of the seminary, Father Bernard initiated a form of student government which trained the students in organizational and leadership skills and developed in the students a mature sense of responsibility and accountability. In the late 1950's, he was active in both the Young Christian Workers Organization and the Catholic Family Movement. A man of action, it was a natural inclination for Father Bernard to be in the forefront of Catholic Action.

As the Abbey Guest Master and Director of the Abbey Guest House, Father Bernard focused on serving the spiritual needs of Catholics and others through the conduct of numerous retreats. Many different types of retreats became annual events at the Abbey, including those for married people, mothers and daughters, fathers and sons church artists, church musicians, and for several different Ecumenical groups. In 1981, he was named director of the Abbey Oblate Program and it is through his guidance that the number of oblates has expanded today to more than 600 laymen, women and clergy. Beginning in 1982, he established the Mount Angel Abbey Summer Conference, a week long family event that typically attracts more than 200 participants of all ages each year to learn and grow in their family life.

In the mid-1990s Father Bernard worked with the Abbey Library personnel and friends of the abbey to develop the "Christian in the World" program. This program offers eight days of lectures throughout the year for generally more than 300 lay men and women participants.

Father Bernard continues to be recognized for his unique and significant contributions to the work of the seminary. He served for many years as a member of the Seminary Board of Trustees and as a spiritual director for seminarians. He enjoyed the unique privilege of being the first recipient of the "Lumen Gentium Award," the most distinguished honor awarded by the seminary. Another prestigious honor afforded to Father Bernard was the establishment of the Father Bernard Sander Alumni Burse, which gives financial assistance to seminarians and religious studying at Mount Angel Seminary. Recently, Father Bernard was named Director Emeritus of Mount Angel Abbey Oblate Association.

It is because of Father Bernard's continual example of undying faith, and his unconditional love and hope for those of all ages, that the vision for the Father Bernard Youth Center was born.