Marmion Abbey

Community News contains periodic updates on the lives of the Monks of Marmion.

On July 11, two new monks made profession of temporary vows to Marmion Abbey. Brother Aaron Devett and Brother Sebastian Switalski professed their vows before Abbot Vincent and the monastic community.

Fr. Abbot Vincent and Fr. Nathanael represented the Marmion Abbey at the General Chapter of the Swiss-American Congregation held at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana from July 16-20.

Br. Armando Menchu of the Priory of San José in Quetzaltenango returned to Guatemala on August 1 after spending about six weeks with the monastic community at the abbey.

Br.Marcos Rivas left for St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, PA, on Thursday, August 7. He will enroll at St. Vincent's School of Theology and be in residence at the Archabbey during the coming academic year.

Fr. Barnabas Lundergan, one of the founding members of Marmion Abbey, died on Thursday, August 7. His death came two days after he suffered a fall while out on a walk. Fr. Barnabas' body was received by the monastic community on Monday, August 11, followed by public visitation. The funeral liturgy and burial took place on Tuesday, August 12. (View the obituary below.)

Fr. Thomas Bailey left for Conception Abbey in Missouri on August 12. He will be in residence at Conception during the coming academic year, where he will be teaching classes in the college seminary.

FATHER BARNABAS LUNDERGAN, O.S.B.
1920 - 2008

Father Barnabas Lundergan, O.S.B., age 88, a Benedictine monk of Marmion Abbey, Aurora, Illinois died peacefully in the Lord at the Abbey on Thursday, August 7, 2008. Father Barnabas was one of 12 children born to Michael and Anna (Michaels) Lundergan. He is survived by the members of his monastic community, his twin brother Harold and a sister Jean, many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and nine brothers and sisters.

Father Barnabas was born on March 30, 1920 and was baptized by the name of Howard at St. Peter Church in Montgomery, Indiana. He left home in 1934 at the age of 14 to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He entered St. Meinrad Abbey in 1940 and professed his first vows there on August 6, 1941, taking the name Barnabas.

Father Barnabas was ordained to the priesthood on August 24, 1945 in the St. Meinrad Abbey Church. In 1947 he transferred his vows to the new Marmion Abbey, becoming a founding member. After ordination Fr. Barnabas served as a teacher and secretary to the rectors of the seminaries at St. Meinrad Abbey. On coming to Marmion Abbey in 1947 he taught for several years at Marmion Academy. His major contribution to the Abbey community, as well as Marmion Academy, was as treasurer from 1952 until just recently. He was a diligent and meticulous overseer of the finances of the Abbey and Academy.

Besides being the treasurer Father Barnabas held other positions of responsibility. He was Subprior of the Abbey, a dormitory prefect in the resident program of Marmion Academy, and for six years he was the immediate superior for the brothers of the Abbey.

In 2007 Father Barnabas’ health began to deteriorate. Always faithful to his monastic life he continued to attend community prayer and meals. He was an avid card player and joined his brothers for an evening game of bridge. Father died peacefully as he was being brought home from the hospital.

Father’s body will be received by his monastic community at Marmion Abbey on Monday, August 11 at 4:00PM. Visitation will be from 4:00PM until 8:30PM on Monday, August 11 and from 8:30AM until 10:00AM on Tuesday before the funeral mass. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 12 at 10:30 AM in the Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the Abbey cemetery.

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*Community News contains periodic updates on the lives of the Monks of Marmion.* On July 11, two new monks made profession of temporary vows to Marmion Abbey. Brother Aaron Devett and Brother Sebastian Switalski professed their vows before Abbot Vincent and the monastic community. Fr. Abbot Vincent and Fr. Nathanael represented the Marmion Abbey at the General Chapter of the Swiss-American Congregation held at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana from July 16-20. Br. Armando Menchu of the Priory of San José in Quetzaltenango returned to Guatemala on August 1 after spending about six weeks with the monastic community at the abbey. Br.Marcos Rivas left for St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, PA, on Thursday, August 7. He will enroll at St. Vincent's School of Theology and be in residence at the Archabbey during the coming academic year. Fr. Barnabas Lundergan, one of the founding members of Marmion Abbey, died on Thursday, August 7. His death came two days after he suffered a fall while out on a walk. Fr. Barnabas' body was received by the monastic community on Monday, August 11, followed by public visitation. The funeral liturgy and burial took place on Tuesday, August 12. (View the obituary below.) Fr. Thomas Bailey left for Conception Abbey in Missouri on August 12. He will be in residence at Conception during the coming academic year, where he will be teaching classes in the college seminary. FATHER BARNABAS LUNDERGAN, O.S.B. 1920 - 2008 Father Barnabas Lundergan, O.S.B., age 88, a Benedictine monk of Marmion Abbey, Aurora, Illinois died peacefully in the Lord at the Abbey on Thursday, August 7, 2008. Father Barnabas was one of 12 children born to Michael and Anna (Michaels) Lundergan. He is survived by the members of his monastic community, his twin brother Harold and a sister Jean, many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and nine brothers and sisters. Father Barnabas was born on March 30, 1920 and was baptized by the name of Howard at St. Peter Church in Montgomery, Indiana. He left home in 1934 at the age of 14 to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Minor Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He entered St. Meinrad Abbey in 1940 and professed his first vows there on August 6, 1941, taking the name Barnabas. Father Barnabas was ordained to the priesthood on August 24, 1945 in the St. Meinrad Abbey Church. In 1947 he transferred his vows to the new Marmion Abbey, becoming a founding member. After ordination Fr. Barnabas served as a teacher and secretary to the rectors of the seminaries at St. Meinrad Abbey. On coming to Marmion Abbey in 1947 he taught for several years at Marmion Academy. His major contribution to the Abbey community, as well as Marmion Academy, was as treasurer from 1952 until just recently. He was a diligent and meticulous overseer of the finances of the Abbey and Academy. Besides being the treasurer Father Barnabas held other positions of responsibility. He was Subprior of the Abbey, a dormitory prefect in the resident program of Marmion Academy, and for six years he was the immediate superior for the brothers of the Abbey. In 2007 Father Barnabas’ health began to deteriorate. Always faithful to his monastic life he continued to attend community prayer and meals. He was an avid card player and joined his brothers for an evening game of bridge. Father died peacefully as he was being brought home from the hospital. Father’s body will be received by his monastic community at Marmion Abbey on Monday, August 11 at 4:00PM. Visitation will be from 4:00PM until 8:30PM on Monday, August 11 and from 8:30AM until 10:00AM on Tuesday before the funeral mass. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 12 at 10:30 AM in the Abbey Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the Abbey cemetery.