On Wednesday evening, April 22, 2020, at 7:50 p.m., our dear confrere
Brother Luke (Robert) O’Connell OSB
died at the Newton Medical Center after suffering for a long time with pancreatic cancer and lung disease. He passed from the evening shadows of this life into the brilliance of light of the Risen Lord fortified by the sacrament of the anointing.
Brother Luke was born in February 1946 and grew up in Ridgefield Park, NJ. He joined the Benedictine Mission Seminary High School at St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton in 1960, made his first profession on August 19, 1967 and took solemn vows on June 9, 1972.
Brother Luke served the community as business manager for 24 years. He was the community organist for his entire monastic life. He became one of the three from the American community who assisted the Waegwan Abbey confreres when they came to the abbey. He helped them settle in in practical matters and they in turn showed him respect and love until his last days. His life was marked by faithful service to those who came to him for help.
You are asked to remember him prayer that the risen Lord will welcome him into the Kingdom.
Due to the restrictions required by the corona virus, the funeral Mass and burial are yet to be determined and are restricted to the monks of the abbey.
April 23, 2020
Prior Samuel Kim, OSB
Abbot Emeritus Joel Macul, OSB
St. Paul’s Abbey