Necrology

In the early morning hours of September 6, 2022, Brother Raban Bivins, OSB, monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, died peacefully in the Lord in our infirmary after a period of declining health.

Brother Raban was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on December 11, 1940, and never lost his Kentucky pride. One of eight children of Lester and Sophie (Bittel) Bivins, he was given the name William Joseph at his baptism.

After completing his elementary education at Saints Joseph and Paul Grade School in Owensboro, he attended Owensboro Catholic High for three years and then entered our St. Placid Hall in 1957 to complete his high school education. Brother Raban was invested as a novice on April 9, 1959. He professed simple vows on May 7, 1960, and perpetual vows on June 9, 1963.

Brother Raban’s first assignments in the monastery included work in our shoe shop, in our Physical Facilities Department, and as assistant house prefect. In 1965 he volunteered for assignment at our mission in Peru, and he spent almost 15 years there, serving variously as procurator, as superintendent of employees, and in general maintenance.

Returning to the hill in 1979, Brother Raban served for 11 years on our volunteer fire department, six of which he also rendered service as a certified Emergency Medical Technician on our Rescue Squad. He also worked in our Department of Physical Facilities and in 1984 became a certified locksmith.

In 1996 Brother Raban was appointed subprior, the first brother in our history to be appointed to such a monastic leadership position. He served faithfully in this capacity for 11 years. During this time, he also assisted in our infirmary and health services.

He was appointed Archabbey almoner and director of community outreach in June of 2007, positions he held until failing health necessitated his moving into our infirmary in 2022. It was not unusual that his confreres would encounter individuals and families in our area who spoke gratefully, both of Brother Raban’s discretion and his gentleness in assuring they had food and other necessities throughout the year.

The phrase “Gentle Giant” is a cliché, but one that certainly describes Brother Raban. He was an imposing figure, physically, and he possessed considerable strength. He loved kidding around and especially enjoyed reminding the younger members of the community of the danger they were in should they get in his way. But all his confreres were confident – and grateful – that his aggressions took the form of playful swipes and good-natured verbal threats, rather than well-aimed and full-fledged punches.

Brother Raban was one who preferred living his monasticism rather than talking about it. He was extremely faithful to the Divine Office. Even when the accumulation of a variety of physical ailments meant that mere walking was a chore and that it was only steady when it was also slow going, he was determined to be with his confreres in choir.

Brother Raban was also one in whom St. Benedict’s injunction to “keep death daily before your eyes” clearly took root. His long-standing policy – posted on the door of his cell – was that if he suffered a heart attack, no resuscitation was to be attempted but, rather, he would await the resurrection.

Brother Raban was 81 years old, and a golden jubilarian of profession, having given splendid witness to the monastic vocation for 61 years. We rejoice that now, no longer suffering from the frailties of flesh and age, he enjoys the strong and loving embrace of our heavenly Father.

The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 9, in the Archabbey Church. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, with burial in the Archabbey Cemetery following. (All times are Central Time.)

For the repose of his soul, three Masses will be offered by each monk of the Archabbey. The customary suffrages are recommended to all monks of our Congregation.