Benedictine monks celebrate priesthood jubilees
Criterion staff report
The Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad recently celebrated the 60-year priesthood jubilee of Father Richard Hindel and the 50-year priesthood jubilees of Fathers Aurelius Boberek, Aelred Cody and Sebastian Leonard.
Father Richard was born on July 1, 1922, in Indianapolis and was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish. He professed vows as a Benedictine monk on Aug. 6, 1943, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1947.
He began a long career at the former Saint Meinrad high school and college as a teacher and administrator.
In 1961, he earned a master’s degree in biology at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
Father Richard was subprior—third in leadership—at the monastery from 1955-63. He also served the community as kitchen master during those years.
From 1964-70, he ministered as superintendent of building and maintenance at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, and received national prominence for his involvement in the National Executive Housekeepers Association Inc.
Before taking on several parish assignments, beginning at St. Isidore Parish in Bristow in 1987, he served at Saint Meinrad School of Theology as dean of students for two years and vice rector for four years.
Currently, he is in residence at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.
Father Aurelius was born on Feb. 12, 1930, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He professed vows as a Benedictine monk on Aug. 1, 1952, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1957.
He earned a master’s degree in liturgical studies at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind., and a master’s degree at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Father Aurelius served as a professor and dean of students at the former Saint Meinrad College for many years.
After completing graduate studies, he ministered as a professor, pre-theology dean and vice rector at Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He also served as master of ceremonies and assistant director of the oblate program for the Archabbey.
Father Aurelius taught at the American College in Belgium and also served as rector there for two years.
Currently, Father Aurelius helps with parochial assistance at the Archabbey.
Father Aelred was born on Feb. 3, 1932, in Oklahoma City, Okla. He professed vows as a Benedictine monk on Aug. 1, 1952, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1957.
He earned licentiate and doctorate degrees in sacred theology at the University of Ottawa, licentiate and doctorate degrees in sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, and two degrees at the Royal College of Music and Royal College of Organists in London.
Father Aelred served as a professor at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he taught Scripture courses on the Old Testament and New Testament for 10 years.
He also ministered as novice/junior master at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, organist at the Abbey of Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and procurator general of the American-Cassinese and Swiss-American Benedictine congregations.
Father Aelred has written several books as well as numerous articles for scholarly journals and periodicals, and also has contributed to encyclopedias and collective works.
Currently, Father Aelred undertakes special projects from the archabbot and helps with parochial assistance.
Father Sebastian was born on Sept. 4, 1931, in Indianapolis and was a member of Holy Cross Parish. He professed vows as a Benedictine monk on Aug. 1, 1952, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1957.
He earned a master’s degree at Georgetown University in Washington and a doctorate at The University of Oxford in England.
For 25 years, Father Sebastian taught modern Church history at Saint Meinrad School of Theology.
During some of those years, he also taught history at the former Saint Meinrad College and served as choir master for the monastic community.
In 1983, he was appointed associate pastor of St. David Parish in Davie, Fla.
Since 1995, Father Sebastian has ministered as a chaplain and teacher at the Canterbury School in New Milford, Conn. †