Brother Alphonsus Kwon (Gonjip), OSB, was called to eternal life on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the age of 83 and in the 47th year of his monastic profession. Born in Sangju, Korea, in 1943, he entered the monastery of Waegwan in 1976, responding with sincerity and devotion to God’s call. He professed temporary vows in 1979 and solemn vows in 1982, dedicating himself fully to the Benedictine path.
Throughout his monastic life, Br. Alphonsus served with humility and quiet fidelity, particularly in the kitchen and sewing workshop, embodying the spirit of Ora et Labora. His days were marked not by outward distinction but by steadfast commitment to the ordinary rhythms of prayer, work, and communal life. Even in illness, he bore his suffering with patience and faith, transforming his final years into a deeper journey toward God.
He now rests in the eternal peace of the One he sought so faithfully. His life of simplicity, perseverance, and devotion remains a gentle yet powerful witness to the heart of the monastic vocation. May Christ, whom he served with constancy, welcome him into the joy of the heavenly banquet.