On the Hill

Photo: From left are Benedictines: Fr. Raymond Studzinski, Fr. Bede Cisco, and Fr. Jonathan Fassero. Fr. Pius Klein was unavailable for the portrait.

Four Benedictine monks at Saint Meinrad Archabbey were honored for anniversaries during Mass on Sunday, May 26. Fr. Raymond Studzinski reached his 60th anniversary of monastic profession. Fr. Bede Cisco and Fr. Jonathan Fassero marked their 50th anniversaries of monastic profession. Fr. Pius Klein celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood ordination.

Fr. Raymond Studzinski, of Detroit, MI, professed vows as a Benedictine monk on August 15, 1964, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 28, 1969.

After graduating from Saint Meinrad College in 1966 and Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1970, he earned a master’s in religious studies from Indiana University in 1973 and a PhD in historical theology from Fordham University in 1977.

He served as assistant professor at Saint Meinrad School of Theology from 1973 to 1977 and then 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.

Fr. Bede Cisco, of Indianapolis, IN, professed monastic vows on August 24, 1974. He was ordained a priest on April 30, 1978.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Saint Meinrad College in 1973 and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint 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 1979-1982 and 1987-1993, Fr. Bede was associate dean of students at Saint Meinrad College. He served as academic dean of the College from 1993-1998. He also taught theology in the College and was adjunct assistant professor of pastoral studies in the School of Theology from 1986-1992.

He was the director of Indianapolis Programs for the School of Theology from 1999-2006. Fr. 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, Fr. Bede was an associate formation dean for seminarians from 2008-2011. He went on to serve as associate director of spiritual formation until 2013 when he was named director of spiritual formation.

Fr. 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, written several Catholic Perspectives CareNotes, and co-authored the book Lay Ministers and Their Spiritual Practices.

Fr. Jonathan Fassero, of Mishawaka, IN, professed vows as a Benedictine monk on August 24, 1974. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 30, 1978.

He graduated from Saint Meinrad College in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He earned a Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad in 1977, and a master’s in religious studies from Indiana University the same year.

Fr. Jonathan served as administrative assistant to the president-rector of Saint Meinrad College from 1978-1980. During that time, he also served as director of admissions for the College and School of Theology and as associate coordinator of student life until 1985. He was an administrator for the College from 1978-1997.

In 1985, he became associate director of recruitment. He also served as associate dean of freshman from 1991-1999.

Fr. Jonathan currently serves as associate director of spiritual formation and director of diocesan relations in the Seminary and School of Theology. He also serves as associate spiritual director at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.

Fr. Pius Klein, of Aurora, IN, professed vows on April 19, 1959, and was ordained to the priesthood on March 31, 1974.

He worked in Saint Meinrad’s tailor shop and in the infirmary until he was assigned to Saint Meinrad’s priory in Huaraz, Peru. He served there from 1964-84, except for the years he returned to the Archabbey to complete priesthood studies. In Peru, his assignments included school principal, English and religion teacher, and seminary disciplinarian.

After his priesthood ordination, 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 Saint Meinrad in 1985 and served as chaplain to the sisters at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN, and was director of food service in Saint Meinrad’s monastery. Fr. Pius was pastor of St. Mary Parish, Huntingburg, IN, from 1987-2008.