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Basil Kirsch Is Our New Prior

by Terrence Kardong, O.S.B.

In one of the moves surrounding the election of a new abbot, Bro. Basil Kirsch has been named prior. He replaces Fr. Valerian Odermann, who is returning to full-time employment at the University of Mary in Bismarck. Prior Valerian has spent two days a week in Bismarck for the past eight school years while he was prior. As a computer buff, he figured out a way of mechanizing the weekly assignments it is the prior's chore to make. Prior Valerian has also handled many other domestic arrangements such as the choice of books for reading at table.

For his part, Bro. Basil will revert to the fountain pen. He never has taken to the computer age, and does not think it necessary for a prior to do so. So he is one of the last holdouts of the pre-cybernetic age. On the other hand, he is a man of the future since he is the first Brother ever to become prior of this abbey. Of course, such things were unthinkable before, say, 1970, but several other abbeys now have non-ordained priors. The only ones upset with this development are those who hold the quaint theory that the prior is the vicar general of the monastery. Not so; he is the second monk.

Bro. Basil has been a monk since 1975, when he professed vows at St. Mark's Priory, South Union, KY. He and two confreres joined Assumption Abbey in 1987 when St. Mark's closed. Since that time he has held a variety of jobs in the monastery, including junior master, director of oblates and subprior. For many years he has managed the Abbey Gift Shop and made it into something of a mecca for visitors. Bro. Basil also coordinates the visitor center and takes his turn at the switchboard every morning. Truly, a man for all seasons, a jack of all trades. And now, prior.

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