August 19, 2011
Six monks celebrate jubilees of monastic profession
Jubilarians include Benedictine Father David Rabenecker, Brother Mario Ibison, Father Cyprian Davis, Brother Dominic Warnecke and Father Edward Linton. Father Warren Heitz was absent when the photo was taken. Click for a larger version.
The Benedictine monks at St. Meinrad Archabbey celebrated the 60-year monastic jubilee of Father Cyprian Davis; the 50-year jubilees of Brother Dominic Warnecke, Father Warren Heitz, and Brother Mario Ibison; and the 25-year jubilees of Father David Rabenecker, and Father Edward Linton, on July 31.
Father Cyprian was born Sept. 9, 1930, in Washington, D.C. He made his profession of vows Aug. 1, 1951, and was ordained May 3, 1956. Father Cyprian graduated from St. Meinrad College, earned a licentiate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America, and a licentiate and doctorate in historical sciences from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium).
He has received honorary degrees from the University of Notre Dame in 2001, the Catholic Theological Union in 2002, St. Vincent’s College, Latrobe, Penn., in 2003, and The Catholic University of America in 2006.
He is the author of The History of Black Catholics in the United States, which received the John Gilmary Shea Award from the American Catholic Historical Association in 1991. In 2002, he was awarded the Johannes Quasten Medal for excellence in scholarship and leadership in religious studies from The Catholic University of America. In 2004, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the St. Meinrad Alumni Association.
Father Cyprian is emeritus professor of Church history at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and the archivist for the Archabbey, the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation and the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, of which he was a founding member in 1968.
Brother Dominic was born Oct. 6, 1941 in Delphos, Ohio. He made his profession of vows on May 11, 1961.
From 1961-64, Br. Dominic worked in the monastery’s art shop and bakery. In 1964, he served as house brother. From 1964-67, he served as head waiter and head cook at the Guest House. From 1967-71, he worked on the farm. He then became refectorian and assistant groundskeeper for both the Archabbey and vineyard, where he served for 10 years.
From 1981-85, he worked at St. Meinrad’s priory in Huaraz, Peru. He then served as manager of the grounds and vineyard until 2000. He currently works as a delivery service clerk and infirmary assistant.
Father Warren was born May 30, 1940, in Huntingburg. He made his profession of vows Aug. 15, 1961, and was ordained May 1, 1966. Father Warren has a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Meinrad College, a Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and a Mas-ter of Science in institutional administration from the University of Notre Dame.
From 1967-73, Father Warren served as the Archabbey’s assistant business manager. From 1973-77, he was the associate pastor at St. Mary Church in Huntingburg. In 1977, he became the associate pastor at St. Benedict Church in Evansville, where he remained for five years.
From 1982-1999, he served in a variety of positions, including refectorian, director of monastic personnel, director of transportation, and administrator at both St. Boniface Parish in Fulda, and St. John Chrysostom Parish in New Boston. In 1999, he was named director of alumni relations, where he served for three years. Currently, he serves as assistant to the ordofex.
Brother Mario was born Aug. 5, 1938, in Evanston, Ill. He made his profession of vows Nov. 12, 1961.
Since then, Brother Mario has served in several different positions, including as plumber, assistant librarian and a shoe repairman. He currently works in St. Meinrad’s Physical Facilities Department.
Father David was born Sept. 9, 1963, in Louisville, Ky. He made his profession of vows Aug. 6, 1986, and was ordained on May 4, 1991. Father David has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Meinrad Coll-ege and a Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.
From 1988-1989, Father David served as assistant refectorian. From 1991-94, he was associate pastor at St. Benedict Church in Evansville. In 1994, he became associate dean of students for St. Meinrad College, as well as director of service formation, part-time instructor and part-time spiritual director. In recent years, he has worked in prison ministry. He currently serves as chaplain at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Ky.
Father Edward was born June 2, 1962, in Louisville, Ky. He made his profession of vows Aug. 6, 1986, and was ordained May 4, 1991. Father Edward has a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Meinrad College and a Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.
He earned a master’s degree in English literature from Middlebury College in Vermont and taught English at St. Meinrad College from 1992-98. He then earned a doctorate in speech communication at Southern Illinois University. He served as associate pastor of St. Benedict Church in Evansville. Currently, he is pastor of St. James Church in Chicago.