The Monks

Father Laurence Kriegshauser

There are as many types of monks as people, but when most people think of a monk they probably imagine someone like Father Laurence –a man who devotes himself to quiet prayer, study in his cell, and ascetic practice. He is a self-described ‘amateur monk-scholar’ who loves to spend his free time on the inexhaustible search for a deeper knowledge of God. His love of learning has grown as he has been exposed to its riches, both as a student and teacher.

Although the bulk of his work in the high school involved teaching English, his facility with languages has enabled him to explore the Scriptures in their original Greek and Latin — as well as the occasional French or German commentary. In the monastery he has taught the Psalms, an Introduction of Scripture, Monastic Sources, and the Rule of Saint Benedict to novices. In both environments he has displayed gifts for respect, compassion, and developing excellent study aids. Such gifts coupled with his intelligence and ability to handle each student and question with patience have also allowed him to demand much from his students.

An accomplished organist, Fr. Laurence served the community as Choir Master for 22 years and Subprior for 8. Now that he has retired from teaching in the school, he has the time (apart from his classes with the novices, work as monastic infirmarian, and monthly lectures to the parish on “Being Catholic Today”) to write a book on praying the psalms in Christ. In addition to all this, Father Laurence has also blessed the community with his skills as a consummate barbequer and conversationalist.