Five monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey celebrate anniversary of vows

Benedictine Father Noël Mueller, left, Benedictine Father Joseph Cox, Benedictine Brother Jacob Grisley and Benedictine Father Ephrem Carr, four of the five Benedictine monks marking significant jubiliees this year at St. Meinrad Archabbey, pose in the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln in St. Meinrad. (Photo courtesy of Saint Meinrad Archabbey)

Criterion staff report

Five Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad celebrated anniversaries of profession of vows of religious life this year.

60-year jubilarians

Benedictine Father Ephrem Carr was born in Toledo, Ohio. He made his first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1963. Ordained a priest in 1967, he earned a licentiate in Eastern Church studies from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome and a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

He served on the faculty of Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology from 1970-78 and 1981-87, including six years ministering as its academic dean. Father Ephrem also served as subprior of the monastery from 1978-86.

He served on the faculty of Sant’Anselmo from 1986-2013, where he taught courses in Eastern liturgy, Eastern monasticism and the ancient Syriac language. From 2008-12, he served as president of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy in Rome.

After serving on the faculty of the Institutum Liturgicum in London, Father Ephrem returned to the monastery. He is the author and editor of several books and scholarly articles.

Benedictine Father Noël Mueller was born in Louisville, Ky. He made his first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1963. Ordained a priest in 1968, he earned a master’s degree in English literature at the University of Louisville in Louisville.

Father Noël served in Saint Meinrad’s mission in Huaraz, Peru, from

1969-80, teaching English and religion and assisting in liturgy and marriage ministry. He later taught at the former Saint Meinrad College for 13 years.

Father Noël has also ministered as associate director of continuing education, associate dean for housing and food services and a formation dean at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.

In the monastery, he has served as its guest master, secretary to the archabbot, spiritual director and retreat director.

50-year jubilarians

Benedictine Father Guy Mansini was born in Indianapolis, where he was baptized at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish and was a graduate of the Latin School of Indianapolis, the former archdiocesan high school seminary.

He made his first profession of vows at Saint Meinrad on Aug. 24, 1973. Ordained a priest in 1977, he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Saint Meinrad College, a master’s degree in philosophy at Marquette University in Milwaukee, a master’s degree in religious studies at Indiana University in Bloomington and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

Father Guy taught for many years at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and the former Saint Meinrad College. He currently holds the Max Seckler Chair of Theology at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria, Fla., and is the author of several scholarly books and articles.

Benedictine Brother Jacob Grisley was born in Logansport, Ind., but grew up in Indianapolis as a member of the former St. Bernadette Parish and was a graduate of the Latin School of Indianapolis.

He made his first profession of vows at Saint Meinrad on Aug. 24, 1973.

Brother Jacob, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at the former Saint Meinrad College, has worked for many years in information technology for the monastery. Other assignments have included serving as assistant novice and junior master, director of candidates, director of transportation, choirmaster and secretary to the archabbot’s council and the monastic chapter.

25-year jubilarian

Benedictine Father Joseph Cox was born in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria, Ill, in 1991. In 1997, he entered the monastery and made his first profession of vows on Aug. 6, 1998.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from Quincy University in Quincy, Ill., and a master of divinity degree from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He later earned a master’s degree in library science at Indiana University.

Father Joseph currently serves as the monastery’s subprior, on the staff of the archabbey library and as chaplain for the monastery’s community of oblates. He previously ministered as secretary to the archabbot’s council and the monastic chapter and as assistant refectorian. †