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A personal biography of the Faithful Departed Benedictine friends of mine
@ St. Benedict Abbey
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Dear Friends of the Abbey:
Yesterday afternoon, April 8, 2021 Abbot Xavier passed away peacefully. Recently he had been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
We have not yet decided on funeral arrangements, and we will post the information on the website abbey.org, along with a fuller obituary.
Please remember Abbot Xavier and all the monks in your prayers.
Fr James Doran, OSB
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At the Abbey, Fr. Xavier has served as guestmaster and novice master, but his main work for many years was as Prior to Abbot Gabriel Gibbs, O.S.B., our first abbot. In this capacity, especially as Abbot Gabriel's health declined, Fr. Xavier "inherited" many of his responsibilities. After Abbot Gabriel's death on March 27, 2010, the community voted Fr. Xavier to be the Abbey's second abbot on June 16, 2010.
For numerous years, I made a one week Lenten retreat at St. Benedict's Abbey. At the time, Fr. Xavier was the guestmaster. He was the one that ensured the eating, sleeping and praying accommodations were on schedule and known to all those on retreat. His love for the Church and his warm and welcoming personality had an important, powerful impact on my life for which I am grateful.
Requiescat In Pace, my friend!
October 23, 1954 ~ April 8, 2021
(Read his obituary here.) |
My good conversational friend, Brother Bartholomew Sennott O.S.B. died peacefully on April 27, 2016 at Saint Benedict Abbey, Still River, Massachusetts, after a lengthy illness.
I personally knew Brother Bartholomew and the one aspect of his faith that stood out was his devotion to the Blessed Mother. He always had a great devotion to Our Lady.
My only regret is that I was never able to find the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows that he had been looking for, for so long.
He was a good friend who made a positive impact on my life. |
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His love for the Church and our Blessed Mother had an important impact on my life for which I am grateful.
Requiescat
In Pace, my friend!
January 25, 1924 to April 27, 2016
Mike
Humphrey
(Read his obituary here.) |
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My good conversational friend, Brother Gregory Conant, O.S.B. died peacefully on July 23, 2015 at Saint Benedict Abbey, Still River, Massachusetts, after a lengthy illness.
I personally knew Brother Gregory before, and after, he was a professed monk at St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, Massachusetts. His engaging conversation in various areas of Church history as it related to various teachings of the Church was something no other consecrated religious will ever come close to. If he wasn't talking about history, he was talking about Popes and Catholic Councils and the effect they had on society and the world for a specific period of time.
This was a unique Benedictine monk! . . . no doubt!
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His love for the Church and Church history had an important impact on my life for which I am grateful.
Requiescat
In Pace, my friend!
December 6, 1927 to July 23, 2015
Mike
Humphrey
(Read his obituary here.)
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At 11:40 P.M. on November 1, 2014, just as All Saints' Day was to yield to All Souls' Day, Father Basil Rechenberg, O.S.B. of Saint Benedict Abbey, Still River, Massachusetts, died peacefully after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease, with Father Anthony Kloss, O.S.B. at his bedside.
I personally knew Fr. Basil. He was a model Benedictine monk and great Catholic witness for me while I knew him.
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Thank-you for that witness Fr. Basil. You had a lasting effect on me and my brother Mark.
Requiescat
In Pace
June 27, 1928 to November 1, 2014
Mike
Humphrey
(Read his obituary here.) |
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This
page is dedicated to Abbot
Gabriel Gibbs whose fatherly
memories had a great impact
on my life and for which
I am grateful.
Mike
Humphrey
Requiescat
In Pace
May
19, 1926 to March 27, 2010.
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The original 1949 Benedictine Community (circa 1968); some who I probably know but don't recognize
. . . except for Brother Bartholomew |
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