Special to The Message
Four Benedictine monks at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Indiana, observed anniversaries of monastic profession in May. Father Raymond Studzinski reached his 60th anniversary of monastic profession. Father Bede Cisco and Father Jonathan Fassero marked their 50th anniversaries of monastic profession. Father Pius Klein celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood ordination. They were honored during Mass May 26.
Father Raymond Studzinski, of Detroit, Michaigan, professed his vows as a Benedictine monk Aug. 15, 1964, and was ordained to the priesthood Sept. 28, 1969.
After graduating from St. Meinrad College in 1966 and St. Meinrad School of Theology in 1970, he earned a master’s in religious studies from Indiana University in 1973 and a doctorate in historical theology from Fordham University in 1977.
He served as assistant professor at St. Meinrad School of Theology from 1973-77 and then served as a chaplain in Colorado for two years. In 1981, he began teaching at The Catholic University of America, where he currently is associate professor of spirituality in the School of Theology and Religious Studies. He is the author of two books and numerous journal articles.
Father Bede Cisco, of Indianapolis, Indiana, professed his monastic vows Aug. 24, 1974. He was ordained a priest April 30, 1978.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at St. Meinrad College in 1973 and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Meinrad School of Theology in 1978. He earned Ed.M and Ed.D degrees from Columbia University. He also received a Certificate in Spiritual Direction in 2013 from Aquinas Institute of Theology.
From 1979-82 and 1987-93, Father Bede was associate dean of students at St. Meinrad College. He served as academic dean of the college from 1993-98. He also taught theology and was adjunct assistant professor of pastoral studies in the School of Theology from 1986-92.
He was the director of Indianapolis Programs for the School of Theology from 1999-2006. Father Bede helped initiate the deacon formation program for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and served there as the director of deacon formation and director of deacons.
In the Seminary and School of Theology, Father Bede was an associate formation dean for seminarians from 2008-11. He went on to serve as associate director of spiritual formation until 2013 when he was named director of spiritual formation.
Father Bede currently serves as prior, second in leadership, in the monastery and as a spiritual director in the Seminary and School of Theology. He has published several articles, is a co-author of “Lay Ministers and Their Spiritual Practices” with James D. Davidson and others, and has written several “Catholic Perspectives CareNotes.”
Father Jonathan Fassero, of Mishawaka, Indiana, professed his vows as a Benedictine monk Aug. 24, 1974. He was ordained to the priesthood April 30, 1978.
He graduated from St. Meinrad College in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He earned a Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad in 1977, and a master’s in religious studies from Indiana University in the same year.
Father Jonathan served as administrative assistant to the president-rector of St. Meinrad from 1978-80. During that time, he also served as director of admissions for St. Meinrad College and St. Meinrad School of Theology and as associate coordinator of student life until 1985. He was an administrator from 1978-97. In 1985, he became associate director of recruitment, a position he held for 12 years. He also served as associate dean of freshmen from 1991-99.
Father Jonathan currently serves as associate director of spiritual formation and director of diocesan relations in the St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He also serves as associate spiritual director at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis.
Father Pius Klein, of Aurora, Indiana, professed vows April 19, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood March 31, 1974.
Father Pius worked in St. Meinrad’s tailor shop and the infirmary until he was assigned to St. Meinrad’s priory in Huaraz, Peru. He served there from 1964-84, except for the years he returned to the Archabbey to complete his priesthood studies. In Peru, his assignments included school principal, English and religion teacher, and seminary disciplinarian.
After his priesthood ordination, he returned to Peru, where he served as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Lima. From 1978-84, he served as the superior of the priory.
He returned to St. Meinrad in 1985 and served as chaplain to the sisters at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, and was director of food service in St. Meinrad’s monastery. Father Pius was pastor of St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg from 1987-2008. He has also helped with correspondence for St. Meinrad’s Development Office.