On the Hill

As Novice Richard Brune approached his first profession in 1956, he submitted three religious names to Archabbot Bonaventure Knaebel, OSB, as is the custom for Saint Meinrad monks receiving a new name at first profession.

“My first choice was Matthias, my second choice was Aquinas, and now you know I got my third choice, Meinrad,” he explains.

Fr. Meinrad was happy with the choice. He had placed the name on his list because of the example of St. Meinrad, the martyr of hospitality. A monk’s patron saint serves as a spiritual role model. The hermit’s deep love for God, his devotion to Mary, and his life of charity were qualities Fr. Meinrad hoped to grow into.

 “I knew it would take me all the rest of my life to try to live out those three wonderful conditions of my patron, but at least I was going to try,” he says.

Nearly seven decades later, that lifelong effort is being recognized. This year, at the Tuesday evening banquet of the Alumni Reunion, Fr. Meinrad will be awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The award honors alumni who exemplify Gospel values and have demonstrated exceptional service in their lives and professions. For many who know Fr. Meinrad, the honor simply recognizes what they have witnessed for decades: a monk and priest who has lived the Benedictine values of hospitality, humility, and service over his 92 years.

Fr. Meinrad was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. He made his first profession of vows on August 15, 1956, and was ordained a priest on May 7, 1961. He has a Master of Arts degree in political theory from Butler University, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from The Catholic University of America, and a Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad School of Theology.

Following ordination, Fr. Meinrad taught history and political science at Saint Meinrad High School and College for 16 years.

“He was the kind of teacher whose influence extended well past the classroom, shaping both the minds and character of those entrusted to his care,” says Del Steinhart, who served on the faculty alongside Fr. Meinrad. “His example of kindness, dedication, and fidelity to the monastic vocation continues to inspire me and many others.”

In 1977, Fr. Meinrad left teaching behind for parish assignments, first at St. Meinrad Parish, St. Meinrad, IN, for three years, and then at St. Mary’s Parish, Huntingburg, IN, for four years. In 1984, he began work in Saint Meinrad’s Development Office as an associate director of development and then as alumni director for nine years.

“For the past 70 years—70 years!—Fr. Meinrad has given his life in service to the Church as a monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. As an educator, he left lasting impressions on countless people. He shepherded the people of God as pastor in both Huntingburg and the town of St. Meinrad. As alumni director, he cultivated and maintained lasting relationships and friendships with people who still send him fruitcakes at Christmas,” reflects Br. Stanley Rother Wagner, OSB.

From 1995 to 2017, Fr. Meinrad served as director of the Benedictine Oblate community, a role he speaks about with particular gratitude.

“Being oblate director has certainly deepened my appreciation and love for my Benedictine vocation as a monk,” he says. “To see and hear our people of faith out there, men and women, who have a deep faith and are very concerned with their spiritual life, has really been inspiring to me.”

He later served as archivist for the Saint Meinrad Archives and for the archives of the Swiss-American Benedictine Congregation from 2017 until 2023, when he retired from official work in the monastery. Retirement, however, has not meant stepping away from service. He offers Mass in the infirmary chapel, hears confessions in the Guest House, School, and monastery, writes letters, gives conferences and retreats, and helps in the vestry.

“Together with many other monks, I have often said that I want to be like Fr. Meinrad when I grow up and as I grow older. He is such a faithful monk and dedicated priest. He has given himself fully and generously in every assignment in which I have witnessed him,” says Fr. Mark O’Keefe, OSB.

For Fr. Meinrad, that dedication and generosity were inspired by the example of his patron, St. Meinrad. He says that the charity, hospitality, and devotion he witnessed in the saint shaped the way he approached every assignment.

“I love to meet people,” Fr. Meinrad says. “I enjoy taking care of guests, I enjoy taking care of the oblates, I loved my work as the alumni director, and I’m sure that was the influence of the charity and hospitality that St. Meinrad had. I have always tried to show that in the jobs that I’ve had.”

He once said he would only know at the end of his life whether he had truly lived up to the three qualities of his patron: love of God, devotion to Mary, and charity. Those who have worked beside him, learned from him, and been welcomed by him would likely say he has been answering that question for decades. In the quiet, steady way he has served, Fr. Meinrad has grown fully into the name he was given.