Nine Monks Celebrate Anniversaries
of Monastic Profession in 2007
Release Date: June 1, 2007
COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. — In 2007 nine monks of Saint John's Abbey mark the jubilee of their profession of vows as Benedictine monks.
The monastery will celebrate their jubilees at Mass Wednesday, July 11, 2007, during the Abbey's annual celebration of the Solemnity of Saint Benedict, Patriarch of Western Monasticism.
70 Years in Monastic Vows
Brother William Jerome Borgerding OSB
Brother William was born in Freeport, Minnesota, June 27, 1916. He professed first vows as a Benedictie monk July 11, 1937.
In 1939 Brother "Willie" was named herdsman and put in charge of the Abbey's Holstein dairy operation.
In 1966 he began over three decades of work as the night watchman, a job that earned him the title of "Night Abbot"
from the students of Saint John's University. "Brother Willie's Pub" in Sexton Commons, the student center,
was named in his honor.
60 Years Professed
Father John Patrick McDarby OSB
Father Patrick was born in Auburn, Indiana, December 10, 1927. He professed monastic vows July 11,
1947, and became a priest May 23, 1953. In 1956 he began his life's work of teaching English at Saint John's
University. He was made Professor Emeritus of English in 1999 and continues to edit The Confrere,
the monastery's in-house newsletter.
Father Don Talafous OSB
Father Don, Alumni Chaplain for Saint John's University, was born in
Duluth, Minnesota, January 4, 1926. He professed vows July 11, 1947, and was ordained a priest June 7, 1952. In 1972 he
earned a doctorate in Systematic Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He taught theology from
1956 to 1996 and served as chaplain and faculty resident. His
"Daily Reflection" is read online by
thousands of devoted faithful.
50 Years a Monk
Father Allan Richard Bouley OSB
Born April 22, 1936, in Anoka, Minnesota, Father Allan professed first vows July 11, 1957. He was ordained a priest
on September 15, 1962. In 1973 he earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Liturgy from the
Pontifical Athenæum of Saint Anselm in Rome. He has served as Director or Associate Director of Abbey Liturgy from 1970 to 1990.
Father Allan is Professor of Theology and Liturgy at Saint John's University where he teaches in the School of Theology.
Father Brennan Charles Maiers OSB
Father Brennan was born April 27, 1936, in Stewart, Minnesota. He professed the vows of a Benedictine monk July 11, 1957. He became a
priest June 1, 1963. He served as pastor or assistant pastor in many of our parishes from 1965 to 1990. After earning a certificate
in Clinical Pastoral Education from St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth, in 1992, Father Brennan worked as a chaplain in Duluth and St. Cloud. Since 2002 he assists the abbey archivist, and in 2006 he began maintaining the official Abbey Chronicle.
25 Years of Monastic Life
Father Geoffrey Ronald Fecht OSB
Father Geoffrey was born in Tennyson, Wisconsin, October 9, 1952. He professed vows July 11, 1982. He was ordained a priest
June 3, 1988. He served as Pastor or Associate Pastor in our parishes in Hastings, Freeport, and St. Cloud, Minnesota. In 1994 he was named
Prior of the monastery and served until 2001. In 2004 he was named Director of Development for Saint John's Abbey.
Father Columba Andrew Stewart OSB
Born in Houston, Texas, July 16, 1957, Father Columba made first profession of vows July 11, 1982. Having earned degrees from
Harvard, Yale, and Oxford Universities, he has taught at Saint John's and Oxford. He became a full professor in 2001. He served as Novicemaster and
Director of Monastic Formation from 1999 to 2003 when he became the Executive Director of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library. In
January 2005 Father Columba was named Vice President for Programs in Religion and Culture at Saint John's University.
Father Jonathan Licari OSB
Father Johnathan, born November 25, 1948, in Biwabik, Minnesota, professed vows as a Benedictine monk July 11, 1982. He was
ordained a priest of the Diocese of Duluth May 15, 1976, after completing theological studies at Saint John's University. In 1989 St.
Paul's University, Ottawa, Canada, awarded him doctorates of philosophy and canon law. He began teaching in Saint John's School of Theology
in 1982. He served as prior of the monastery from 1989 to 1992. Father Jonathan has been Pastor of Holy Name Parish in Medina, Minnesota,
since 2001.
Brother Dennis Beach OSB
Brother Dennis was born January 17, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. He professed first vows July 11, 1982. In 1997 he earned a doctorate
in philosophy at Pennsylvania State University. After teaching for nine years at Saint John's Preparatory School,
he joined the Philosophy Department at Saint John's University in 1996. In 2002 he was named Associate Professor of Philosophy. Devoted to social justice,
Brother Dennis is an active member of Partners Across Borders, the St. Cloud Area Sister City Organization with Tenancingo, El Salvador.
Since 2002 he has served on the board of SHARE: Building a new El Salvador today.
|
 |
Ordination Jubilarians
Media Contact
Abbey Spokesmen
Br. Paul-Vincent Niebauer,
320-363-2548
|
