Father Bernard Gervais O.S.B., 89, professed member of Holy Cross Abbey, Cañon City for 67 years and member of St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, Kan., for two and a half years, died Saturday, July 14, 2007, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mo.
Father Bernard was born Feb. 1, 1918, to Leo Gervais and Mathilda Duquette Gervais, in Compton, Calif. He attended Catholic schools in California, graduating in 1931, and from St. John's Preparatory School, Collegeville, Minn., in 1936. He continued his education at St. John's University, Collegeville, and St. Benedict's College, Atchison, before earning his bachelor of arts degree from Holy Cross College, Cañon City, in 1941. Father Bernard completed his theology studies in the School of Theology at Holy Cross Abbey in 1944. He did additional studies at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado.
Entering the novitiate of Holy Cross Abbey in 1938, Father Bernard professed vows Sept. 14, 1939. He was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1944, at Holy Cross Abbey, by Bishop Joseph Willging. With the closing of Holy Cross Abbey, Father Bernard transferred to St. Benedict's Abbey in March 2006. Father Bernard spent more than 16 years of his monastic life as a teacher. He was prefect, teacher and coached football at Holy Cross Abbey School, 1941-57. He was procurator at the Abbey for 10 years and served in parishes in Boulder and Pueblo, for 13 years. Father Bernard also served as a hospital chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Denver; Fitzsimmon Army Hospital, Denver; St. Thomas More Hospital, Cañon City; and St. Joseph Hospital, Florence. Father Bernard's father joined Holy Cross Abbey as an oblate brother and took the name Benedict after the death of his second wife.
Father Bernard is survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Gervais, of San Dimas, Calif.; two nephews, William (Rosemary) Gervais, of Northridge, Calif., and Jerry (Betty) Gervais, of Glendora, Calif.; three nieces; numerous grand-nieces and nephews; and the monastic community of St. Benedict's Abbey. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Louise, and his brothers, William, Ernest and Leo Gervais. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, O.S.B., will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Bernard at St. Benedict's Abbey Church, Atchison, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2007, with burial to follow in the Abbey cemetery. Vespers for the Dead, with visitation following, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2007, in the Abbey Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Benedict's Abbey Church and Guest House accessibility project and may be directed to: St. Benedict's Abbey, 1020 N. Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kan., was in charge of arrangements and may be contacted at (913) 367-6403.
Father Bernard was born Feb. 1, 1918, to Leo Gervais and Mathilda Duquette Gervais, in Compton, Calif. He attended Catholic schools in California, graduating in 1931, and from St. John's Preparatory School, Collegeville, Minn., in 1936. He continued his education at St. John's University, Collegeville, and St. Benedict's College, Atchison, before earning his bachelor of arts degree from Holy Cross College, Cañon City, in 1941. Father Bernard completed his theology studies in the School of Theology at Holy Cross Abbey in 1944. He did additional studies at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado.
Entering the novitiate of Holy Cross Abbey in 1938, Father Bernard professed vows Sept. 14, 1939. He was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1944, at Holy Cross Abbey, by Bishop Joseph Willging. With the closing of Holy Cross Abbey, Father Bernard transferred to St. Benedict's Abbey in March 2006. Father Bernard spent more than 16 years of his monastic life as a teacher. He was prefect, teacher and coached football at Holy Cross Abbey School, 1941-57. He was procurator at the Abbey for 10 years and served in parishes in Boulder and Pueblo, for 13 years. Father Bernard also served as a hospital chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Denver; Fitzsimmon Army Hospital, Denver; St. Thomas More Hospital, Cañon City; and St. Joseph Hospital, Florence. Father Bernard's father joined Holy Cross Abbey as an oblate brother and took the name Benedict after the death of his second wife.
Father Bernard is survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Gervais, of San Dimas, Calif.; two nephews, William (Rosemary) Gervais, of Northridge, Calif., and Jerry (Betty) Gervais, of Glendora, Calif.; three nieces; numerous grand-nieces and nephews; and the monastic community of St. Benedict's Abbey. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Louise, and his brothers, William, Ernest and Leo Gervais. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, O.S.B., will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Bernard at St. Benedict's Abbey Church, Atchison, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2007, with burial to follow in the Abbey cemetery. Vespers for the Dead, with visitation following, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2007, in the Abbey Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Benedict's Abbey Church and Guest House accessibility project and may be directed to: St. Benedict's Abbey, 1020 N. Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kan., was in charge of arrangements and may be contacted at (913) 367-6403.
Father Bernard Gervais O.S.B., 89, professed member of Holy Cross Abbey, Cañon City for 67 years and member of St. Benedict's Abbey in Atchison, Kan., for two and a half years, died Saturday, July 14, 2007, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Mo.
Father Bernard was born Feb. 1, 1918, to Leo Gervais and Mathilda Duquette Gervais, in Compton, Calif. He attended Catholic schools in California, graduating in 1931, and from St. John's Preparatory School, Collegeville, Minn., in 1936. He continued his education at St. John's University, Collegeville, and St. Benedict's College, Atchison, before earning his bachelor of arts degree from Holy Cross College, Cañon City, in 1941. Father Bernard completed his theology studies in the School of Theology at Holy Cross Abbey in 1944. He did additional studies at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado.
Entering the novitiate of Holy Cross Abbey in 1938, Father Bernard professed vows Sept. 14, 1939. He was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1944, at Holy Cross Abbey, by Bishop Joseph Willging. With the closing of Holy Cross Abbey, Father Bernard transferred to St. Benedict's Abbey in March 2006. Father Bernard spent more than 16 years of his monastic life as a teacher. He was prefect, teacher and coached football at Holy Cross Abbey School, 1941-57. He was procurator at the Abbey for 10 years and served in parishes in Boulder and Pueblo, for 13 years. Father Bernard also served as a hospital chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Denver; Fitzsimmon Army Hospital, Denver; St. Thomas More Hospital, Cañon City; and St. Joseph Hospital, Florence. Father Bernard's father joined Holy Cross Abbey as an oblate brother and took the name Benedict after the death of his second wife.
Father Bernard is survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Gervais, of San Dimas, Calif.; two nephews, William (Rosemary) Gervais, of Northridge, Calif., and Jerry (Betty) Gervais, of Glendora, Calif.; three nieces; numerous grand-nieces and nephews; and the monastic community of St. Benedict's Abbey. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Louise, and his brothers, William, Ernest and Leo Gervais. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, O.S.B., will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Bernard at St. Benedict's Abbey Church, Atchison, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2007, with burial to follow in the Abbey cemetery. Vespers for the Dead, with visitation following, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2007, in the Abbey Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Benedict's Abbey Church and Guest House accessibility project and may be directed to: St. Benedict's Abbey, 1020 N. Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kan., was in charge of arrangements and may be contacted at (913) 367-6403.
Father Bernard was born Feb. 1, 1918, to Leo Gervais and Mathilda Duquette Gervais, in Compton, Calif. He attended Catholic schools in California, graduating in 1931, and from St. John's Preparatory School, Collegeville, Minn., in 1936. He continued his education at St. John's University, Collegeville, and St. Benedict's College, Atchison, before earning his bachelor of arts degree from Holy Cross College, Cañon City, in 1941. Father Bernard completed his theology studies in the School of Theology at Holy Cross Abbey in 1944. He did additional studies at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Colorado.
Entering the novitiate of Holy Cross Abbey in 1938, Father Bernard professed vows Sept. 14, 1939. He was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1944, at Holy Cross Abbey, by Bishop Joseph Willging. With the closing of Holy Cross Abbey, Father Bernard transferred to St. Benedict's Abbey in March 2006. Father Bernard spent more than 16 years of his monastic life as a teacher. He was prefect, teacher and coached football at Holy Cross Abbey School, 1941-57. He was procurator at the Abbey for 10 years and served in parishes in Boulder and Pueblo, for 13 years. Father Bernard also served as a hospital chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Denver; Fitzsimmon Army Hospital, Denver; St. Thomas More Hospital, Cañon City; and St. Joseph Hospital, Florence. Father Bernard's father joined Holy Cross Abbey as an oblate brother and took the name Benedict after the death of his second wife.
Father Bernard is survived by his sister-in-law, Jean Gervais, of San Dimas, Calif.; two nephews, William (Rosemary) Gervais, of Northridge, Calif., and Jerry (Betty) Gervais, of Glendora, Calif.; three nieces; numerous grand-nieces and nephews; and the monastic community of St. Benedict's Abbey. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Louise, and his brothers, William, Ernest and Leo Gervais. Abbot Barnabas Senecal, O.S.B., will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Bernard at St. Benedict's Abbey Church, Atchison, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 21, 2007, with burial to follow in the Abbey cemetery. Vespers for the Dead, with visitation following, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2007, in the Abbey Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Benedict's Abbey Church and Guest House accessibility project and may be directed to: St. Benedict's Abbey, 1020 N. Second Street, Atchison, KS 66002. The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, Atchison, Kan., was in charge of arrangements and may be contacted at (913) 367-6403.
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