Father Gilbert goes peacefully

Father Gilbert–altar boy to first abbot–dies at 101

Father Gilbert Wolters, O.S.B., Ph.D., the oldest monk in St. Benedict’s Abbey history, died early Sunday morning, June 1, at the age of 101.

Father Gilbert, whose death came just over a month after the Abbey had concluded its 150th anniversary celebration, was a living bridge between the community’s first 50 years and its most recent. He was the last monk to have known all eight abbots; indeed, he served Mass for the Abbey’s first abbot, Innocent Wolf.

On the Thursday before he died, the eve of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Father Gilbert was anointed by Abbot Barnabas Senecal, OSB. His brother monks kept prayerful watch with him around the clock from the time of his anointing. This July 2 would have been the 80th anniversary of his reception of the habit of a Benedictine monk. He had been a priest for 74 years. A native of Atchison, he lived his entire life here. A selfproclaimed “river rat” who as a child swam in the Missouri River, Father Gilbert never lost his love for the water and was still swimming laps three times a week at the Atchison YMCA after his 100th birthday.

He was born April 2, 1907, the son of the late Theodore and Nellie (Vandeloo) Wolters. After graduating from St. Benedict’s High School in 1926, he began studies at St. Benedict’s College. Following his sophomore year of college, he completed his novitiate. He was the last living monk of St. Benedict’s to do so at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Penn. Father Gilbert made his first profession of monastic vows July 2, 1929. He graduated from St. Benedict’s College in 1931 and then attended the St. Benedict’s Abbey School of Theology in Atchison. He was ordained a priest May 26, 1934.

Father Gilbert received a doctorate in sociology from the Catholic University of America in 1938 writing a dissertation on A SocioEconomic Analysis of Four Rural Parishes in Nemaha County Kansas. He also did studies in sociology at Harvard University, and St. Xavier’s, Antogonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. His studies at Catholic University prepared him as a marriage counselor, work which he would do for nine summers in the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. At St. Benedict’s College, and later Benedictine College, Father Gilbert served as a residential hall director and was Chairman of the Sociology Department for 34 years (1938-1972).

During that same time, he also served as Athletic Director of the college (1944-1945), and for six years as the Academic Dean during the post World War II years (1945-1951). In the early 1970s, Father Gilbert was Assistant Dean of the College, and directed the freshman program. In addition he helped initiate studies in gerontology in the Sociology Department. Following retirement from the college in 1977, Father Gilbert served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters in Glendora, Calif. He later served in parish ministry at St. Patrick parish, Atchison County; St. Joseph, Wathena; and SS. Peter and Paul, Falls City, Neb.

He is survived by the monastic community of St. Benedict’s Abbey, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions are suggested to:

St. Benedict’s Abbey 1020 North 2nd Street

Atchison, KS 66002

Father Gilbert, front, apppeared in this photograph for a vocation advertisement last year with Brother Leven Harton (left) and Abbot Barnabas Senecal.

Reminiscing on a historic monk

Man of Atchison, man of faith, man of influence

Editor’s Note: The following is the homily delivered by Abbot Barnabas Senecal at the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Gilbert Wolters on June 4.

One tendency in life is to think of this day or tomorrow as though it were not passing, as though things now are as they always will be. And for most folks in Atchison, that thought of today as never changing always had Father Gilbert as part of the picture. He was kind of eternal, always with us, reaching back into our history as well as always being a part of tomorrow.

Father Gilbert lived a long life. He didn’t like getting older. He didn’t like having his car keys taken away from him...two years ago! He didn’t like that he could no longer swim every day. But one doesn’t define him by what he didn’t like.

He liked people. He liked teaching. He liked being a monk and a priest. He liked to advise couples on how to solve problems in their marriages. He liked writing a bit about his life, and he kept notebooks filled with daily notations. These he converted into a book called Reminiscences.

He is so much a part of Atchison. He grew up in a house built in 1860 by the tracks and the river. He knew a simple life in a large family. His grandfather lived with the family.

He refers to St. Benedict’s Abbey and St. Benedict’s College as the “center of my life.” He lived to be the oldest member of our monastic community, ever. He went to Catholic University to earn a doctorate in sociology and then taught that subject for 37 years.

He lived and taught as a man of family. He was so comfortable in life, as a monk, as a teacher, as a guide to others, as a man content with reality around him. He grew up seeing his mother nurse the youngest of his family. He grew up with the sound of trains running close to his home. He grew up swimming in the Missouri River.

He could be strong willed, and could be a man of influence. Yet, he was also known as a man who appreciated goodness, whether that was something done for him personally or something done for another.

He was a man of faith. Even his doctoral studies involved taking a detailed look at the lives of German immigrant families in four Nemaha County parishes. He believed in a loving Father who cared deeply for his children. He preached of a Son of the Father who took human flesh, lived a family life, taught what he knew to be the truth, and suffered death at the hands of those who rejected him.

He did not let sociology become the sole guide of Christian living. He believed in a teaching and loving church in which the Spirit enlivened the minds and hearts of good willed people and moved them forward in parish and monastic family life. Doing studies and developing theories about human communities was a legitimate exercise, but it did not displace the church. He taught the encyclicals of the Catholic church and believed they were very valuable in shaping the human community, for example.

There are many photographs of Father Gilbert. Many picture him as a man of happiness, a man of character, someone you would like to engage in conversation. The cover of the Summer 2007 issue of Kansas Monks, showed the 100-year old in a blue sweater. “One Hundred Years and Still Afloat.” Our Development Office staff has a habit of judging even very good photos for future cover stories as “It’s still not a Father Gilbert.” That picture captured the face of a man who had been swimming since his youth, who had enjoyed each of his many years, and who looked confidently into his future. And there is a look of playfulness, a look of a man who had just told the Benedictine College President how he could improve the college swimming pool.

Father Gilbert had ideas on how people could improve their lives and their surroundings. Dr. Stefan Sarre, a cardiologist in El Paso, Tex., wrote to Father Gilbert.

“I was very happy to see the story in Kansas Monks, because now I can express long overdue thanks to you. In 1950 I arrived at St. Bene-

Journey Forward Campaign Naming Opportunities

The following features of Phase I of the Living Journey capital campaign are available as naming opportunities for benefactors. The suggested gift is provided with a description of the project. Listed in italic print after some naming opportunities are the names of donors who have already contributed the amount and requested that particular opportunity.

Abbey Church Elevator $100,000

Part of the Abbey Church narthex expansion, this elevator provides full and easy access to the church’s main level and crypt.

Abbey Church Entrance Ramp $75,000

The stone ramp with iron rails fulfills Benedictine hospitality by providing access to all who wish to enter the Abbey’s house of prayer. (Retirement Research Foundation in memory of William J. Gentle)

Crypt Art Gallery $150,000

The crypt level of the tower altar area in the Abbey Church is a secure art exhibit for Abbey artwork and the work of visiting artists.

Art Gallery Endowment $250,000

The monks hope to establish a perpetual art gallery endowment to provide for the purchase of religious artwork and funding for visiting exhibits.

Abbey Narthex Gathering Space $250,000

The main component of the Hospitality Project, this major addition to the Abbey Church provides a more spacious gathering area and more accessible restrooms in the narthex of the Abbey Church. (Dan Brosnahan in memory of Bishop Matthias Schmidt)

Abbey Crypt Gathering Space $150,000

Also part of the Abbey Church addition, this area provides more gathering space and additional accessible restrooms on the Abbey Church’s crypt level, just below the Narthex addition.

Abbey Church Interior Side-Mounted Lift $50,000

This self-operated lift will give complete access to people wishing to enter the sanctuary and the monastic choir sections of the Abbey Church, which were previously accessed only by a series of steps. (Retirement Research Foundation in memory of William J. Gentle)

Abbey Church Interior Two-Step Ramps $15,000

These ramps allow wheelchair passage from the choir section to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and to the sacristy.

Abbey Dedication Crosses (12) $1000 each

Twelve wall-mounted crosses/candle holders in nave of the Abbey Church will commemorate the dedication of the church upon the 150th anniversary of St. Benedict’s Abbey. (Robert Sharp in honor of Abbot Brendan Downey and Father James Downey; Patrick Dyer; Donald F. Aaron Sr. in honor of Father Leo Aaron; Gina Dyer Osborn; Jim King in honor of Sister Helen Buening, Father Anselm Llewellyn and Father Terence Sullivan; John and Mary House in honor of Father Gilbert Wolters; Rita Coupe in honor of The Coupe-Sullivan Family; Joseph Geist in honor of Fr. Columban Clinch; James and Pat Asher, James and Maureen Asher, John and Jeannie Asher, Martin and Aggie Asher, Mary Asher, Robert Asher, Dave and Elizabeth Gruenbacher in honor of the Asher family; Lucy Walker in honor of Leo and Anna Schmidt; Vincent and Eleanor Kohake, Seneca, Kan; Stephen and Amy Minnis Benedictine College classes of 1982 and 1984)

Guest House Lounges (3) $20,000 each

These three rooms are used daily by monks to welcome guests and provide spiritual direction to retreatants, visitors, and Benedictine College students. (Don and Julie Strathman in memory of their son Keith Strathman; Norman and Shirley Youngberg)

Guest House porter apartment $50,000

This is home to a monk who lives near the entrance to the guest house in order to provide a ready welcome to guests. It has been expanded, carpeted and painted.

Gift Shop $25, 000

A gift shop has been built in the guest house reception area to provide religious items with an emphasis on Benedictine books and gifts.

Guest House Ramp and Accessible Entrance $50,000

A stone ramp with iron rails and a larger, more accessible entryway welcomes guests who seek information or accommodation from the monks. (Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica)

Guest House Lobby and information center $100,000

An expanded lobby, with switchboard and reception area, better serves Abbey and Benedictine College guests.

South Guest House Entrance $25,000

A new, wider doorway and large window offers a view of the Missouri River valley beyond the Abbey overlook.

Monastery Bell system $5,000

A new electronic system of bells calls monks to the guest house to meet visitors. The melodic bells are less disruptive to the cloister than a voice intercom system.

Naming Opportunities for Vestments & Other Articles for Worship in our 150th Anniversary Year

Six Brass Candlesticks for Use at Altar $7,500

(Designed by the late Dennis McCarthy) Skip McCarthy in Memory of Dennis McCarthy