Saint Meinrad monks celebrate jubilees of monastic profession

Criterion staff report

Seven Saint Meinrad monks, including Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, are celebrating the jubilees of their monastic profession this year.

The Benedictine community of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad celebrated the monks’ jubilees of monastic profession during Mass on July 26 at the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einseideln.

Brother Benedict Barthel was honored for his 70th jubilee.

Brother Jerome Croteau and Father Benedict Meyer marked their 60th anniversary as monks.

Archbishop Buechlein, Father Gregory Chamberlin, Father Pius Klein and Father Micheas Langston celebrated their golden jubilees.

Brother Benedict Barthel was born on Nov. 3, 1919, in Evansville, Ind., in the Evansville Diocese. He professed his vows as a Benedictine monk on Feb. 10, 1939.

For 41 years, Brother Benedict worked at Abbey Press, where he performed a variety of duties, including service in the printing department and sculpture shop. He later worked in the Scholar Shop and as assistant monastery guest master.

Brother Benedict currently works in the Liturgical Music Office as an assistant.

Brother Jerome Croteau was born on April 8, 1929, in Belcourt, N.D. He professed his vows as a Benedictine monk on May 10, 1949.

For 30 years, Brother Jerome worked in the Saint Meinrad vineyard. He also had assignments in the wine cellar, on the building crew, as a carpenter and as a landscaper.

During the 1950s, he spent 18 months at Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin, S.D., a foundation of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Brother Jerome currently assists with housekeeping duties in the monastery.

Father Benedict Meyer was born on Sept. 24, 1927, in Cedar Grove. He professed his vows as a Benedictine monk on Aug. 1, 1949, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1954.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the former Saint Meinrad College in 1950, and received advanced degrees from the Catholic University of America in 1955 and 1956.

Father Benedict taught at Saint Meinrad Seminary for five years then served for a number of years at Saint Meinrad’s missions in Brazil and Peru.

He also served as a chaplain and pastor for 26 years in Arkansas, including 15 years at St. John the Baptist Parish in Brinkley, Ark.

Father Benedict is retired and resides at the monastery.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein was born on April 20, 1938, in Jasper, Ind. He professed his monastic vows on Aug. 15, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1964.

He spent 12 years at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, where he attended the former high school, the former college and the Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He also attended Sant’ Anselmo in Rome and earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1966.

From 1966-71, he was a teacher and administrator at Saint Meinrad College and School of Theology, where he taught Latin, philosophy, theology, canon law and reconciliation. He also served as assistant dean of students and director of spiritual formation.

From 1971-82, he served as president-rector of the School of Theology.

In 1982, he was named president-rector of both schools and served in that capacity until he was named bishop of the Diocese of Memphis by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

In 1992, he was named to lead the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

Archbishop Daniel has written many articles and publications, and serves on numerous national and international boards and committees.

Father Gregory Chamberlin was born on Oct. 12, 1938, in Indianapolis. He professed his monastic vows on Aug. 15, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1965.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the former Saint Meinrad College, a Master of Divinity degree at Saint Meinrad School of Theology and a Master of Arts degree at Middlebury College.

Father Gregory served as assistant dean of students and dean of students at Saint Meinrad from 1966-78. He was named vice rector of Saint Meinrad College in 1976.

In 1981, Father Gregory began work in Saint Meinrad’s Development Office, including service as the alumni director. He also taught at Saint Meinrad College during this time.

From 1986-87, Father Gregory was the administrator of St. Michael Parish in Cannelton and St. Pius Parish in Troy. He then served a year as associate pastor of St. Louis Parish in Memphis, Tenn., and two years as administrator of St. Henry Parish in St. Henry, Ind., in the Evansville Diocese.

Since 1991, Father Gregory has served as the pastor of St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, Ind.

Father Pius Klein was born on May 12, 1939, in Aurora. He professed his monastic vows on April 19, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on March 31, 1974.

Father Pius served at Saint Meinrad’s priory in Huaraz, Peru, from 1964-84, except for the years that he returned to the Archabbey to complete his priestly formation. In Peru, his assignments included service as a school principal, English and religion teacher, and seminary disciplinarian.

After his ordination, he returned to Peru, where he served as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Lima. From 1978-84, he was the superior of the priory in Peru.

Father Pius returned to Saint Meinrad in 1985 and served as chaplain to the sisters at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Ind. He also was the director of food service at Saint Meinrad’s monastery.

From 1987 to 2008, Father Pius was the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg, Ind.

He currently serves as the director of pastoral assistance for the monastery, works in the monastery kitchen and is a commuting chaplain for the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand.

Father Micheas Langston was born on Dec. 26, 1938, in Paducah, Ky. He professed his monastic vows on Aug. 15, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on Sept. 5, 1965.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Meinrad College and a Master of Arts degree in German at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Father Micheas taught in the former high school and former college at Saint Meinrad from 1965-70.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1970 as a chaplain and ministered to the American troops fighting in Vietnam.

From 1976-77, Father Micheas served as assistant pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Evansville, Ind., then as assistant coordinator of student life at Saint Meinrad College.

In 1983, he returned to active duty in the Army with the rank of major and served as chaplain at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Father Micheas currently serves as the chaplain at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, N.C. †