Brother Benedict 1

Our beloved 1st Abbot, Abbot Gabriel, died on March 27, 2010.
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Click on the picture above to read about his amazing life and to see a photo essay of his funeral which was held at Saint Cecilia Church, Leominster, Mass. on April 10, 2010.

Brother Benedict (Vernon) Hirsch, O.S.B.
July 27, 1954 - May 9, 2011
Monk of St. Benedict Abbey

Calling hours which closed with Rosary and Compline were held on Tuesday, May 17, 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., right at Saint Benedict Abbey followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Abbey Chapel on Wednesday May 18 at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements were made by McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main Street, Pepperell.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Brother Benedict's memory may send it to Saint Benedict Abbey, Box 67, Still River, MA 01467.

Brother Benedict was born Vernon Hirsch on July 27, 1954, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of the late Vernon Hirsch and the late Geraldine (Whitman) Hirsch, and lived most of his first year in Illinois. When he was just a year old he contracted polio, followed by asthma, and on doctor's orders his family moved to San Diego. At ten, Vernon was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and a few years later with Scleroderma, which affected him for the rest of his life.

He attended Catholic high school and earned a B.A. from the University of San Diego, a Masters in Religious Studies from Providence College, and also attended Saint John's College in Collegeville, Minnesota.

Having been turned down by several monastic communities due to his health, he was accepted by the Brothers of Jesus Crucified in Rhode Island, which disbanded after a few years. He then was accepted by Saint Benedict Abbey, took the name Brother Benedict, and made his solemn profession in 1993.

In 1993 Scleroderma affected Brother's ability to eat, until he had to be fed intravenously. In 1995 he developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, from which doctors did not expect him to live. He actually slipped into a coma for over a month! His recovery from this, and his return to oral nutrition, were nothing short of miraculous. And though otherwise his health continued to deteriorate, he remained an active member of the Abbey, serving as porter, teacher and, until recently, as sacristan and director of Mass intentions.

Brother Benedict was predeceased by his parents,Vernon and Geraldine, and a sister who died in infancy. He is survived by two aunts, Bette Goodman and Pat Barth of Lebanon, Oregon, various cousins, and his community at Saint Benedict Abbey.

Br. Benedict's dad, Vern, Sr., marching in the Survivors' Parade at the Hawaian Naval Base on the 50th Anniversaryof the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Br. Benedict being formally welcomed into the monastic community by Fr. Gabriel while all the other priests and brothers look on.

The memorial holy card commemorating his reception into religious life depicts the monk at the foot of the cross, embracing his crucified Jesus.

Despite constant setbacks in his health, Brother Benedict managed to live a full and lively lifestyle. In fact, he traveled to Rome in 1989 when Abbot Xavier was ordained in Saint Perter's Basilica by Pope john Paul II. by Pope John. In the Jubilee year 2000, he went to Rome and Monte Cassino, but mostly by wheelchair.

Eventually the chapel right here in Still River became his domain. It was often noted that the Navy-like order of "his" chapel must have been a lot like the way his Chief Warrant Office dad kept his ship! To his credit, if Br. Benedict was not in bed, the next place we looked was the chapel.

Out of respect for Br. Benedict's love of the monastery chapel, we first placed his casket at the foot of the altar under the loving protection of Our Lady.

Right: A large number of friends, like Peter Naranjo, came to pay their respects and to remember Br. Benedict in their prayers when we moved his body to Saint James Room for his wake.

Along with his Aunt Pat and cousin, Russell Duerr (seated, in the right corner of the picture), hundreds of friends came to the Abbey for Br. Benedict's funeral Mass. Russell gave a wonderful tribute to Br. Benedict which you can read here.