Sixteen Monks Celebrate Anniversaries
of Monastic Profession in 2010
Release Date: July 7, 2010
COLLEGEVILLE, MINN. — In 2010 sixteen monks of Saint John's Abbey mark the 70th, 60th, 50th, and 25th anniversaries of their profession of vows as Benedictine monks. The monastery's annual celebration of the Solemnity of
Saint Benedict,
Patriarch of Western Monasticism begins with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 10. The
monks will honor the jubilarians at Mass on Sunday, July 11, 2010, 10:30 a.m. The festive day concludes
with Solemn Evening Prayer at 7 p.m. in the abbey church.
70 Years in Monastic Vows
Father Fintan Bromenshenkel OSB
Born: 23 October 1919; professed: 11 July 1940
Fintan's education includes an MS degree in mathematics and two professional certifications in computer science. He wore many hats at St. John's Preparatory School: mathematics and physics teacher, prefect, hockey and football coach, and moderator of the Prep Radio Club. He worked at St. John's University as mathematics instructor, programmer, analyst, director of the Computing Center, hockey coach, and dormitory prefect. His missionary work at St. Augustine's Monastery in Nassau, Bahamas, included work in the business office and computer operations. He was also the assistant to the Capital Campaign Manager at Saint Augustine's, and while there he did weekend pastoral ministry at Bahamian parishes. His interests and hobbies include grub-axing the local shrubbery and weeds.
Father Magnus Wenninger OSB
Born: 31 October 1919; professed: 11 July 1940
Magnus graduated from St. John's and was ordained to the priesthood in 1945. He completed two MA degrees: one in philosophy and the other in mathematics education.
Much of his pastoral ministry was done in Nassau, Bahamas, where he also taught mathematics and was comptroller/accountant at St. Augustine's College, held the title of Chaplain of Her Majesty's Prison, worked as spiritual director at the Nassau Curia Legion of Mary, and did weekend assistance at many parishes on the Family Islands. His biggest claim to fame is his outstanding and internationally acclaimed work with polyhedrons and other geometrical forms, attested by his many publications in this area.
60 Years in Monastic Vows
Father Martin Rath OSB
Born: 9 June 1922; professed: 21 March 1950
Martin received his priestly education from the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, and was ordained in 1983. He has worked at the St. John's Abbey and University Print Shop, in the abbey gardens, the abbey refectory, and at the Saint John's University Bookstore. Other assignments have included sacristan of Saint John's Abbey, U.S. Postmaster of Collegeville, and pastoral ministry and chaplaincy in St. Paul, New Hope, Ogema, Waubun, Freeport, and Winsted. Martin was founder and spiritual director at Nazareth House ("a house for the broken-hearted, a place of hospitality for the neglected, and a house of prayer for the weary") in St. Paul. He was promoter and chaplain at Small Basic Christian Communities in Carver and Wright Counties in Minnesota from 2001-2007.
Father Daniel Durken OSB
Born: 11 January 1929; professed: 11 July 1950
After graduation from St. John's University and priestly ordination, Daniel earned master's degrees in speech and religious education. He served the university as a speech instructor, debate coach, student chaplain, prefect, professor of theology, and Dean of Men, as well as visiting professor at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He was novice master, memorial leaflet author, and personnel director for the abbey. Daniel was a book editor and writer at Liturgical Press-ultimately its director, 1978-88. He edited several publications-The Oblate, Sisters Today, Abbey Banner, Confrere-and authored many audiocassettes. His pastoral ministry includes retreats, parish adult religious education and weekend assistance at many area parishes. Among his awards are the 1975 Faculty Appreciation Award, the university's 2000 Recognition Award for forty-seven years of teaching, and the SJU-CSB Fall 2008 Extraordinary Performance Award as senior editor of Liturgical Press.
Father Knute Anderson OSB
Born: 28 May 1929; professed: 11 July 1950
Upon graduation from St. John's University, Father Knute taught mathematics in the prep school. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1956, he taught patrology, Greek, and Latin at St. John's University. He has done pastoral work in the local Central Minnesota area, at Benilde-St. Margaret High School in St. Louis Park, and at northern Minnesota parishes. He served as chaplain for St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, and at St. Raphael's Convent. His expertise in languages and the Church Fathers made him valuable as a translator/cataloguer in pursuing research at the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library. More recently he occupies himself in personal research and serves as the abbey's faithful morning mail carrier.
Father Wilfred Theisen OSB
Born: 5 September 1929; professed: 11 July 1950
Wilfred graduated from St. John's in 1952 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1956. He earned MS and PhD degrees in physics and has taught courses in the history of science and in the honors program at St. John's University where he was also a dormitory prefect. He serves as the liaison officer at the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in Collegeville and as the associate director of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library. He volunteers to work as a receptionist in the Great Hall Information Center and the Abbey Gift Shop and frequently accepts pastoral assignments, including the chaplaincy of cruise ships. He is editing the alchemical works of John Dastin and lectures on Charles Darwin's Origin of Species.
50 Years a Monk
Brother Luke Dowal OSB
Born: 18 December 1923; professed: 21 March 1960
Luke graduated from Gardner High School (Massachusetts), and earned his RN degree at the St. Cloud School of Nursing. His assignments have included sacristan at Saint John's Abbey beginning in 1960 through 2007. He served as a monk-missionary at the Colegio del Tepeyac, Mexico City, from 1963-67, where his responsibilities included cooking and building maintenance. He was infirmarian at Saint John's Abbey from 1972-78, faithfully looking after the needs of our sick and elderly confreres. His artistic gifts are evident in the many paintings (watercolors and oils) that adorn the campus, and his savory baked desserts are treats not to be missed.
Father Roman Paur OSB
Born: 20 April 1939; professed: 11 July 1960
Roman earned BA and MDiv degrees at Saint John's, and was ordained in 1966. He completed graduate degrees in clinical and counseling psychology with a special emphasis in chemical dependency. He has served Saint John's University as a faculty resident, psychology professor, vice president of Student Affairs, residential programs director, director and founder of the Human Resource Center, and as the executive director of ISTI (Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute). Saint John's Abbey has benefited from his work as pastor, chaplain, and founder and director of the Faith Community Learning Resource. He currently serves as prior of Trinity Benedictine Monastery in Fujimi, Japan. He enjoys reading and writing, furniture design and wood crafting, gardening, Alpine and water skiing, and windsurfing.
Father Roger Klassen OSB
Born: 23 April 1940; professed: 11 July 1960
After completing his undergraduate degree from St. John's University, Roger earned master's degrees from St. John's (theology) and from Middlebury College (German). He was a German and theology teacher at St. John's Preparatory School, as well as director of its Melk Program. He directed the International Studies Abroad Program at St. John's University. Roger has served St. John's Abbey as socius of novices and junior master, and has been active in pastoral ministry in Central Minnesota parishes in Collegeville and Cold Spring, in addition to Lake Elsinore, California. He currently serves as pastor in the three parishes of Freeport, New Munich, and St. Rosa. He enjoys wilderness camping, traveling, cross-country and downhill skiing, bicycling, photography, and card playing.
Father Michael Naughton OSB
Born: 3 May 1939; professed: 11 July 1968
Michael earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at St. John's University, was ordained to the priesthood in 1966, and received a master's degree in counseling in 1976. His pastoral ministry includes Minnesota parishes in St. Paul, Hastings, St. Joseph, Albany, and St. Anthony. At St. John's University he was instructor of pastoral theology, assistant professor of theology, director of pastoral education, and director of seminarians. He served on the Summer Faculty at the Monastic Institute of the Benedictine Federation, as abbey organist, as the executive director of the Institute for Mental Health at Saint John's University, and as SJU chaplain. One of his major assignments was director of Liturgical Press from 1988 until 2001. He was appointed administrator of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, Richmond, Virginia, and prior at Sant'Anselmo Abbey and College (Rome). He was also Procurator of the American-Cassinese Congregation. In 1998 Michael was presented the Jerome Award, Academic Libraries Section of the Catholic Library Association.
Father John Patrick (J.P.) Earls OSB
Born: 21 June 1935; professed: 11 July 1960
After graduation from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas, J.P. was ordained to the priesthood in 1965. He completed master's and doctoral degrees in English at the University of Arizona in Tucson. An earlier assignment included Holy Family Mission in Cloquet, Minnesota, and he was also a teacher and administrator at Colegio del Tepeyac and Lago de Guadalupe in Mexico. More recently, his pastoral work has included chaplaincy for St. Benedict's Monastery, and at St. John's Abbey he served as novice master and director of monastic formation. He has served St. John's University as faculty resident, professor, and vice president of student affairs. In 1990 he was named Outstanding Academic Advisor for Saint John's University.
Father Joel Kelly OSB
Born: 3 May 1939; professed: 11 July 1960
After undergraduate and MDiv degrees from St. John's University, Joel earned master's degrees in religious education and counseling psychology. He was chaplain, prefect, and theology teacher on the Headmaster's Advisory Committee at Saint John's Preparatory School. At San Antonio Abad, Humacao, Puerto Rico, he was a teacher and missionary and served the Parish Youth Program at the Iglesia Dulce Nombre de Jesus. Besides pastoral ministry in Cold Spring (Minnesota), Chicago, and California, he was also clinical supervisor and director of education and training at the Alcoholic Treatment Center at Ingall's Memorial Hospital, Harvey (Illinois). He was chaplain and faculty resident at Saint John's University, founder and director of its Undergraduate Priesthood Program, and founder and co-director of the January Term Monastic Life Program for undergraduate students. He served as chaplain of the St. Cloud Corrections Facility and on the executive committee of the Minnesota State Chaplains' Association. Joel describes himself as a history buff.
Father Blaine Wasnie OSB
Born: 7 September 1939; professed: 11 July 1960
After earning BA and MA degrees from St. John's University, Blaine was ordained in 1966, and studied patristics at the Sorbonne in Paris. He finished his clinical and pastoral education at Saint Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota. He worked as instructor and bibliographer at St. John's University and served in campus ministry, as a faculty resident, chair of the Theology Department and the Committee on Rural Life, and as the director of the deacon seminar. His widespread pastoral ministry in Minnesota includes Hastings, Barnesville, Detroit Lakes, St. Joseph, St. Cloud, St. Paul, Duluth, Collegeville, and St. Benedict's Church in Avon where he is currently pastor. He enjoys antiques, working in interior design, cooking, and ministry to the chemically dependent.
Brother Mark Kelly OSB
Born: 26 March 1937; professed: 15 August 1960
Visit the St. John's campus just about any day during any season and you're likely to catch a glimpse of Mark. As current grounds manager, he's always on the move. He graduated from Maur Hill Benedictine Preparatory School, Atchison, Kansas, and attended Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri. In his early monastic days, he worked in the abbey carpenter shop and refectory. But he really moved into his element when he began working in grounds and maintenance for Saint John's Abbey and University in 1961. Mark describes himself as "the number one fan of SJU football." Among his other passions are playing cards and volleyball.
Father Kevin Seasoltz OSB
Born: 29 December 1930; professed: 13 November 1960
Kevin was originally trained in liturgical studies and canon law, but his academic expertise extends to editorial work and publishing. He has enriched the theological landscape in his capacity as general editor of Worship magazine, professor in Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, and several visiting professorships. His pastoral work includes associate pastor at St. Joseph parish, Bellwood, Pennsylvania, marriage tribunal work, and rector of Saint John's Seminary. He has published several scholarly books, and has won several prestigious awards: Michael Mathis 2001 (Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy), Berakah Award 2005 (North American Academy of Liturgy), and the Frederick R. McManus Award 2009 (Diocesan Liturgical Commissions). In 2008, he became professor emeritus of theology.
25 Years Professed
Father Peter Kawamura OSB
Born: 15 January 1949; professed: 21 March 1985
Peter Hidenari Kawamura was born into a Buddhist family in Mutsu, Aomori Prefecture, in northern Japan, where he attended public grade school and high school in Tanobu. Baptized a Catholic in 1969, he began priesthood studies in Tokyo seminary and Sophia (Jesuit) University. Peter was ordained deacon for the diocese of Sendai in 1984, and later that year decided to join the Benedictines. He made his first profession in Tokyo and then spent time at Saint John's Abbey improving his English. In 1988 he was ordained to the priesthood and served the Benedictine parish for the following nine years. When the monastic community moved to Fujimi, Peter was elected the first Japanese prior. He continues to minister in regional parishes and with the Trappistine and Carmelite Sisters as well as the guests of the monastery.
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