Seven monks celebrate jubilees

July 30, 2012

The Benedictine monks at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, celebrated the 60-year jubilees of monastic profession for Fr. Sebastian Leonard, OSB, Fr. Aelred Cody, OSB, Fr. Aurelius Boberek, OSB, Br. Philip Ripley, OSB, and Br. Maurus Zoeller, OSB; the 65-year monastic profession and 60-year ordination jubilees of Fr. Gavin Barnes, OSB; and the 65-year ordination jubilee of Fr. Richard Hindel, OSB, on July 29.

Fr. Sebastian was born September 4, 1931, in Indianapolis, IN. He professed vows on August 1, 1952, and was ordained May 3, 1957. He received a master’s degree from Georgetown University and a doctorate from the University of Oxford.

Fr. Sebastian taught modern church history for 25 years in Saint Meinrad School of Theology. During those years, he also taught history in Saint Meinrad College and served as choirmaster for Saint Meinrad Archabbey. In 1983, he was appointed associate pastor at St. David Church in Davie, FL. Since 1995, Fr. Sebastian has served as a chaplain and teacher at the Canterbury School in New Milford, CT.

Fr. Aelred was born February 3, 1932, in Oklahoma City, OK. He professed vows on August 1, 1952, and was ordained May 3, 1957. Fr. Aelred has studied extensively and has received a licentiate and doctorate of sacred theology from the University of Ottawa, a licentiate and doctorate of sacred scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and two degrees from the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Organists in London.

For 10 years, Fr. Aelred taught courses in the Old and New Testament at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome. He was the novice and junior master at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, an organist of Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, editor of theCatholic Biblical Quarterly, and procurator general of the American-Cassinese and Swiss-American Benedictine congregations.

He has written numerous books and articles and has contributed to encyclopedias and collective works. Currently, Fr. Aelred serves as a canonical advisor for several religious communities. He serves on the Legal Committee of the Abbot President of the Swiss-American Congregation. He also assists in various household tasks and chores in the monastery.

Fr. Aurelius was born February 12, 1930, in Brooklyn, NY. He made his profession of vows on August 1, 1952, and was ordained May 3, 1957. Fr. Aurelius received master’s degrees in liturgical studies and classical languages from the University of Notre Dame and master’s degrees in education and religious studies from Indiana University.

Fr. Aurelius was a professor and dean of students in Saint Meinrad College from 1963-66. Following graduate studies at Indiana University, he was a professor, pre-theology dean and vice rector of Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Fr. Aurelius was the master of ceremonies and assistant director of the oblate program for the Archabbey.

Starting in 1997, he taught liturgy and homiletics at The American College, Belgium, was vice rector there from 1997-99 and was the first recipient of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Medal for his service to the college. Fr. Aurelius has returned home to the monastery.

Br. Philip was born on August 6, 1932, in Paducah, KY. He made his profession of vows on August 10, 1952. Br. Philip worked in the tailor shop from 1950-1955 and then as the assistant to the Saint Meinrad High School librarian. Since 1974, he has served as housekeeper and sacristan at St. Mary Church, Evansville, IN.

Br. Maurus was born on June 24, 1932, in Tiffin, OH. He professed vows on August 10, 1952. Br. Maurus served as an assistant in the bakery from 1951-1958. From 1958-1990, he assumed various roles at the Abbey Press, including manager of the printing division, product development director and manager of the Saint Meinrad Archabbey Gift Shop.

Since 1990, Br. Maurus has worked in various hospitality roles; as a tour director, manager of the Guest House, guest master and retreat director. He has led numerous trips to Europe and the Holy Land. Br. Maurus remains active as the guestmaster, director of the retreat program and product advisor for Abbey Press.

Fr. Gavin was born on November 15, 1927, in Bedford, IN. He professed vows on August 1, 1947, and was ordained on May 3, 1952. Fr. Gavin earned a licentiate of sacred theology from Sant’ Anselmo in Rome and a master’s degree in speech from Northwestern University.

He taught speech and drama at Saint Meinrad College for 42 years and, during some of that time he served as the assistant to the novice and junior master in the monastery. Fr. Gavin has also served as the dean of students for Saint Meinrad College, as the chairman for the building committee and as a senior adjunct priest for parishes in St. Meinrad, Fulda and Siberia. Each summer, he conducts workshops for the “One Bread, One Cup” high school youth conferences hosted by Saint Meinrad.

Fr. Gavin was the 2007 recipient of the Spencer County Arts Award for his work as drama director at Saint Meinrad College for 38 years and for promoting the arts and supporting the effort to create the Lincoln State Park Amphitheatre.

Most recently, Fr. Gavin wrote and co-directedBetween Friends, a play about the relationships between President Abraham Lincoln and his generals William T. Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War. The play opened the 2012 season at the Lincoln State Park Amphitheatre. Fr. Gavin currently serves as director of public reading and as the head reader at evening meals in the monastery.

Fr. Richard was born July 1, 1922, in Indianapolis, IN. He made his profession of vows on August 6, 1943, and was ordained May 27, 1947. Fr. Richard received a master’s degree in biology from The Catholic University of America in 1961.

Fr. Richard held a long career in Saint Meinrad’s high school and college as a teacher and administrator. He served as subprior in the monastery from 1955-63. During that time, he also served as kitchen master, and from 1964-70 Fr. Richard was the superintendent of buildings and maintenance. He received national prominence for his involvement in the National Executive Housekeepers Association Inc. 

Fr. Richard served as dean of students for two years in Saint Meinrad School of Theology and four years as vice rector before taking on several parish assignments around Indiana. Fr. Richard has returned home to the monastery.