Fr. Thomas Schnurr, OSB

This man was my German teacher in College. He recently passed away at 101 years of age. I took this photo about 5 or 6 years ago.
Fr. Thomas Schnurr, the oldest priest and monk at St. Bernard Abbey, died peacefully at 6:05 p.m. on April 5 in his monastic cell in the infirmary area of the Abbey. Fr. Thomas, a native of Louisville, Ky., celebrated his 101st birthday last November 11th. He was active until the past few months when illness limited his ability to participate in the daily life of the monastic routine.

Fr. Thomas came to St. Bernard at the age of twelve as a “Minim,” a student in the seventh grade. At the age of 19 he entered St. Bernard as a novice in June 1926 and professed his first vows as a Benedictine monk one year later in June 1927. He was ordained to the priesthood in September 1932. After his ordination, Fr. Thomas attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. where he attained his Masters degree in Philosophy in 1934 and did further studies toward a doctorate.

By the numbers: 90 years ago Fr. Thomas came to St. Bernard; 82 years ago he became a monk; and 77 years ago he was ordained a Catholic priest.