Monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey professes solemn vows as brother

Benedictine Brother Francis de Sales Wagner, left, stands before Benedictine Archabbot Justin Duvall during a Jan. 25 liturgy in which he professed solemn vows as a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad. The liturgy took place in the monastic community’s Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln. (Photo courtesy Saint Meinrad Archabbey)

Benedictine Brother Francis de Sales Wagner professed his solemn vows as a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey during a liturgy on Jan. 25 at the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln in St. Meinrad.

He is a native of Findlay, Ohio, where he was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Bowling Green State University in 1988.

After graduation, he worked at The Galion Inquirer in Galion, Ohio, until 1996 as a staff writer and later as the managing editor. From 1996-99, he worked at The News-Sun in Springfield, Ohio, as a copy editor. He also worked at The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, as a copy editor and wire editor from 1999 to 2006.

He joined the monastery in 2007 and made his first profession of vows in January 2008.

Brother Francis is a writer and associate editor in the publications division of Abbey Press, and is studying for a master’s degree at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.

He also is a conference presenter for the Benedictine oblate program, and presents retreats to guests.

In professing his solemn vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life and stability in the community at Saint Meinrad, he becomes a full and permanent member of the Benedictine community. †

The Criterion

February 4, 2011

Monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey professes solemn vows as brother

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