We Remember

Father Ignatius Smith, OSB August 31, 1926 - April 27, 2013

Father Ignatius (John) Smith, O.S.B., died the afternoon of April 27, 2013, at the Atchison Hospital, having received the sacraments of the Church and apostolic pardon from Abbot James Albers. He was born on August 31, 1926, in Wilmore, Pennsylvania, the son of Peter Joseph and Florence (Beyer) Smith. He was the oldest of three children.

Father Ignatius grew up in the heart of Benedictine territory in Pennsylvania, a short distance from Carrolltown, where Father Henry Lemke, OSB, the first Benedictine monk to come to Kansas, is buried. Six first cousins went on to the priesthood, including several who became monks at Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Father Ignatius followed them and professed his vows as a monk at the Archabbey on September 23, 1946.

Father Ignatius transferred his stability to Holy Cross Abbey, Cañon City, Colorado, a foundation of St. Vincent. He was ordained on December 18, 1954, as a monk of Holy Cross Abbey. While a monk there, he served in parishes throughout Colorado, as well as serving as Prior at the monastery in Cañon City. In July, 2002, when the monks of Holy Cross Abbey voted to close the monastery, Father Ignatius was appointed the temporary superior. Afterward, he came to Atchison, transferring his vow of stability here.

Father Ignatius was a quiet man, faithful to his monastic vows. Throughout his life he saw much change: growing up in the great depression, moving to Colorado, and then witnessing the closing of his monastic community. Through it all he remained faithful to his commitment to Jesus Christ as a monk and a priest.

He is survived by his brother monks; his brother Thomas in Cañon City, Colorado; and his sister Rose Norris and her husband Joseph of Cresson, Pennsylvania, and their children Gia, Tanksley, and Joseph.

Celebrating Father Ignatius:

“Uphold me, O Lord, as you have promised, and I shall live; let me not be disappointed in my hope.”

- Suscipe

For nearly 66 years, Father Ignatius made this prayer and hope his own, at various places in his assignments, and in three different monastic communities as God called him to transfer his vow of stability, yet through it all to love and serve Him all the same.

- Excerpt from homily by Abbot James Albers

Father Michael Thomas Santa, OSB December 17, 1930 - March 10, 2013

Father Michael Thomas Santa, OSB, died on Sunday evening, March 10, 2013, surrounded by confreres and family, having received the rites of the Church and apostolic pardon. Thomas Michael Santa was born on December 17, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Michael T. and Anne (Rochey) Santa. He attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and Immaculata High School in Leavenworth, Kansas, graduating from high school in 1948.

After graduating from St. Benedict’s College in 1952, he entered Kenrick Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Having completed his theology studies, he was ordained March 17, 1956, at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Kansas City, Kansas. From there, he went on to study at the University of Dayton (Ohio), Emporia State University (Kansas), and Kansas State University, earning a Master of Science in Educational Administration in 1965 and a doctorate in Education Curriculum and Instruction in 2001. After twentyeight years as a priest, he entered St. Benedict’s Abbey, receiving the name Michael. He professed vows on September 15, 1984.

For the first four years of his priesthood, 1956-1960, Father Michael served as associate pastor of Assumption Parish in Topeka, Kansas, and Holy Name Parish in Kansas City, Kansas. He also served as an instructor of religion at Donnelly College and chaplain for the University of Kansas Medical Center.

For the next thirty years, Father Michael held teaching and educational administrative positions, and he performed his duties with distinction. From 1960-1979, he was the principal and religion teacher at Hayden High School in Topeka, Kansas. From 1984-1996, he was professor of education at Benedictine College. He was also a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and for his faithful service throughout his life, Benedictine College conferred upon him the Kansas Monk Award in 1981. Throughout those years, he also served another stint as pastor of Assumption Parish in Topeka, Kansas, as well as St. Joseph’s Parish in Shawnee, Kansas.

Father Michael served the monastic community as the Prior from 1993-2002. He also helped with formation work, serving as the Novice Master and Junior Master.

Father Michael was preceded in death by his loving parents and two sisters, Patricia Forge and Ona Hunt. He is survived by his sister, Roberta, two brothers-in-law, Gene Forge and Jim Sexton, and 16 nephews and nieces.

Celebrating Father Michael:

When diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Father Michael didn’t withdraw from communion with others in faith, nor the journey with us in our monastic lives. In fact he lived with greater determination. He continued to teach, to celebrate Mass with the students and our community. He was a priest forever and a faithful monk of the Order of St. Benedict. He lived as such and in his living taught us much.