The Lumen Vitae

What does it mean to run with the light of life? How can we live in such a way that we can authentically share the love of Christ with others?

Each year the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey seek to recognize those who exemplify these ideals; those who, above all else, have spread the light of Christ to the world – whether through their ministry, their generosity, or simply by their lives.

In 2018 the monks presented the Lumen Vitae Medal to the Dunn Family for their outstanding generosity and constant commitment to spreading the Catholic faith and supporting the Catholic Church – their example and dedication to Catholic ethics is beyond reproach. The monks also presented the Lumen Vitae Medal to Louise Naumann and her son, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, for their outstanding witness of faith and service to the Church, especially through Catholic Education – Louise’ perserverance through adversity and constant commitment to her faith has been a light to the people of St. Louis; her son Archbishop Joseph’s leadership, not only as a bishop but as a pro-life leader, have been instrumental in the furthering of our faith and the pro-life cause. We cannot appropriately express our gratitude and admiration for these honorees – their example is one that we should all strive to follow.

For each of these honorees the story is unique, but they share a common thread – a constant dedication to running with the Light of Life...

and her son Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann

It was 1948 and Louise and Fred Naumann, proud parents of young Fred Naumann, were awaiting the birth of their second child. After spending time in the military and as a journeyman minor league baseball catcher, Fred was working as the manager of a local store while Louise stayed home to look after Fred. On the morning of December 18, 1948, Fred Sr. was stabbed to death at work by a disgruntled employee. For Louise, suddenly widowed with her second child soon to arrive, it was faith and family that gave her the strength to carry on. “Without my faith I never would have made it.” She soon gave birth to her second son, Joseph, and the family moved into a two level home, living above her parents. “Each night, the boys, my parents, and I would eat dinner together and pray the rosary; if I didn’t have my faith, I don’t know what I would have done...” Forced to be the sole provider for her two sons, Fred and Joseph, Louise completed her education and began working as a Kindergarten teacher where she would instruct both of her boys. “Everything Archbishop Naumann needed to know he learned from his Kindergarten teacher,” she quipped with a smile. Louise would continue her education, ultimately going on to serve as a principal. Edward Martin, a former teacher under Louise, was grateful for what he learned in her service, “how she was able to do everything she was able to was amazing: leading the school, taking care of her family, teaching classes and serving the parish – she truly was a dynamo! It was a great lesson for me in teaching and in life – she hasn’t had an easy life, and maybe that’s why she understands life so well.” In the 1960’s, as Joseph prepared for high school, he felt a call to the priesthood and entered seminary high school, “With the tragedy of my father’s death the priests of our parish took a special interest in my brother and me... they were all profound influences on my life.” Joseph’s vocation was not always clear to everyone in his family, “When he told me he was going to be a priest I was shocked!” Joseph’s brother Fred quipped when reflecting on their childhood, “I never pictured him as a priest, but I’ve always been proud of him for making that decision.” (Now Archbishop) Joseph Naumann was ordained to the priesthood in 1975. After serving in parishes, he was appointed Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and was asked to lead the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Committee. Under his leadership the committee flourished and the pro-life movement in St. Louis generated great momentum. In 1997 he was appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis. Fr. Lawrence Brennan was a seminary classmate of Archbishop Naumann and lauded his service to the Archdiocese of St. Louis: “He always had a ‘leadership’ quality about him and was eager to get involved in as many ways as possible... he was always a crusader and he transferred that crusader spirit to the pro-life movement. He’s a man of great conviction and his service was a great blessing to the people of St. Louis.” In 2004 Bishop Naumann was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas, serving under Archbishop James Keleher; he went on to succeed Archbishop Keleher in 2005. In the past 13 years Archbishop Naumann has served the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in a variety of capacities, most recently being selected as the Chairman-elect of the USCCB Pro-Life committee. In November 2018 he will begin officially leading the pro-life movement in the U.S. In recognition of her lifelong commitment to her Catholic faith, her constant dedication to Catholic education, and her outstanding witness, the monks nominated Louise Naumann to receive the Lumen Vitae Medal. The monks also nominated Louise’s son, Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, for his support of religious life, for his commitment to the pro-life movement, and his outstanding leadership in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Fred Naumann (1917-1948), husband of Louise and father of Archbishop Naumann, served in the military and was a minor league baseball player in the St. Louis Cardinal’s organization. Following the death of her husband, Louise returned to school to earn her degree, serving as a Catholic school teacher and later principal.

2018 lumen vitae medal recipients The Dunn Family

As World War II came to a close, as the monastic community was reaching a record size, the monks turned their attention to their centennial. With the economy having recovered from the Great Depression, they could turn their attention to completing the long-awaited Abbey Church. It was at that time a 1909 alumnus of the monks’ high school program stepped forward to lead the Centennial Expansion effort: J.E. Dunn. J.E. “Ernie” Dunn was instrumental in raising the funds to complete the Abbey’s church construction project, and his own construction company completed long-awaited work within the monastery itself and across the St. Benedict’s College campus. He was also very supportive of the Abbey’s foreign missions, helping the monks bring Christ to the people of Central and South America. Abbot Cuthbert McDonald, third abbot of St. Benedict’s Abbey, credited Ernie for making the monks missionary efforts in Mexico possible. Ernie’s example of philanthropy was passed down to his son, William H. “Bill” Dunn, “No matter how much we brought in, whether it was a little or a lot, we always made sure we were giving back to our community,” Bill said. Bob Dunn, youngest son of Bill and Jean Dunn, echoed his father’s sentiments during his Lumen Vitae medal acceptance speech at the 2018 Abbot’s Table, “Our parents knew the importance of Catholic education, and they taught us the importance of giving back to our Church and other worthy causes. [J.E. Dunn Construction] donates 10% of its pretax earnings to charity every year, and our company and family foundation supports over 400 causes each year.” Bill enlisted in the Navy, becoming a pilot during World War II. After the conclusion of the war, Bill hurriedly finished his college degree, “I think I took 31 hours the spring semester of 1946 at Rockhurst College, graduating with a bacholor’s degree in math and physics.” He soon went to work for his father at J.E. Dunn, earning $50 per week, “It was an interesting assignment but the wages were ridiculously low... I would usually end up with $10 left over for a date on the weekend.” Bill married Jean (née Aylward) in 1947, “I was fortunate to marry a young lady who was not only beautiful, but talented; she’s beautiful both inside and outside.” Bill and Jean would go on to raise five sons: Bill Jr., Terry, Steve, Kevin, and Bob, who have all been instrumental at J.E. Dunn in various capacities and have been extremely active in their family foundation. “They’re fine, Catholic men!” Jean exclaimed “They stand up for what’s right and what they believe in and I think they got that from their father.” The Dunn’s youngest child, Mary, was born with Down’s Syndrome. Bill fondly reflected on his daughter, who passed away in 2007: “Mary Dunn was the best thing that ever happened to our family because it made us realize that the most important thing in our entire life is to help people in need, whatever their problems are.” Abbot James Albers presented the Lumen Vitae Medal to the Dunn’s and lauded them for their service. “The Dunn Family has been helping in the mission of St. Benedict’s Abbey for more than 75 years. But their philanthropy goes beyond the Kansas City area to many places and often it goes unnoticed.” Bill (center, front) and Jean Dunn’s five sons (L to R) Bob, Terry, Steve, Kevin, and Bill Jr., have worked with their father at J.E. Dunn and in their family foundation, supporting over 400 causes annually.

The Dunn Family are ardent supporters of the pro-life cause, supporting organizations like the Vitae Foundation and standing up for the right to life.