Conversations in the Abbey, VOL II

Ruth Clifford Engs, Editor. Conversations in the Abbey, Vol. II: The Next Generation of Senior Monks of Saint Meinrad Reflects on Their Lives. St. Meinrad, IN: Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 2016.

A collection of 11 oral history biographies that includes the personal reflections of Benedictine monks who lived through much of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st century. The monks in this second volume were born between 1930 and 1940 and are members of Saint Meinrad Archabbey (Indiana). They experienced vast changes in society, as well as the upheaval that has characterized much of the modern history of the Roman Catholic Church. The monks discuss childhood recollections; why they joined the monastic community; their early, sometimes amusing years, in the monastery; their jobs and career paths; work, prayer and the sorrows and joys of their lives; the effects of Vatican II; change in worship including going from Latin to English; and the future of the Church and other topics.

Information about one monk

Fr. Boniface Hardin (1933–2012), known as "Father" in the Afro-American (his term) community of Indianapolis, IN, was a community leader during the Civil Rights Movement era and beyond. He founded the Martin Center and Martin University – an adult learning institution – for minority students, and was awarded many honorary degrees.

Born in Bardstown, Kentucky, November 18, 1933, Fr. Boniface was given the name Dwight Randolph. At his baptism, James was added to his name. After completing elementary school at St. Monica School in Bardstown and St. Peter Claver School in Louisville, he enrolled in Saint Meinrad Minor Seminary in 1947. Fr. Boniface professed his simple vows on July 31, 1954, solemn vows in 1957, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 11, 1959.

After his ordination, he served as assistant treasurer of the Archabbey (1959-1965). He became associate pastor at Holy Angels Church, Indianapolis, IN (1965-1969) in an African- American neighborhood. In his first years, social tensions were high, and the threat of violence was imminent and he became a calming influence in the black community. In his parish and within the wider community of Indianapolis he evolved into a wise leader.

In 1969, Fr. Boniface founded the Martin Center, an Institute of Afro-American Studies; the Indianapolis sickle cell center (1971), and co-founded with an associate, Sr. Jane Schilling, Martin University (1977) whose mission was to serve low-income, minority adult learners. He was president of the university for many years (1977-2007).

Fr. Boniface performed as Frederick Douglas beginning in 1990 for a number of years in plays he produced. He suffered a stroke in August 2011 and died March 24, 2012.

He was interviewed by the editor, April 27, 2010 at his home in Indianapolis amidst numerous clocks, religious statues and African artifacts given to him by friends.

Further Information: https://www.amazon.com/CONVERSATIONS-ABBEY-VOL-II-Generation/dp/0870297015

ISBN-10: 0870297015
ISBN-13: 978-0870297014