St. Meinrad Archabbot, Benedictine Father Justin DuVall, Announces Resignation
ST. MEINRAD – Benedictine Father and Archabbot Justin DuVall, the spiritual leader and chief administrator of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, announced on Jan. 13 that he will resign as abbot, effective on June 2.
His successor will be elected by the Saint Meinrad monastic community on June 2, following a period of discernment and discussion.
Archabbot Justin has served as the ninth abbot and sixth archabbot of the 162-year-old Benedictine community for more than 11 years. He was elected on Dec. 31, 2004.
Archabbot Justin said the next abbot will inherit a strong and vital monastic community. “Our community at present is healthy and strong. We have had a recent influx of vocations. Our Seminary and School of Theology is flourishing,” he said. “We are also able to continue our service to the Church through the good work of those monks who serve in parishes, schools and chaplaincies. The community is well positioned for change and the need to move forward.”
During his tenure as abbot, Archabbot Justin has overseen several significant building projects, including the final stage of construction of a new Guest House and Retreat Center and the renovation of St. Gregory Hall, St. Bede Hall, Newman Hall and the St. Martin Center. Most recently, extensive repairs are under way in the 33-year-old monastery, including an addition to the infirmary and the installation of a geothermal heating/cooling system.
He also led the final 18 months of the Archabbey’s largest-ever campaign, which raised nearly $43 million for renovations, endowment and operating expenses.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Archabbot Justin professed vows as a Benedictine monk in 1974 and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1978. He completed graduate studies at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in library science in 1979.
From 1979-93, he was the assistant librarian in the Saint Meinrad Archabbey Library. In 1984, he was appointed prior (second in leadership) of the monastery and served in that capacity until 1995. Other assignments have included master of ceremonies, assistant to the novice/junior master, and chairman of the monastery’s Liturgical Advisory Committee.
He served as associate dean of Saint Meinrad School of Theology from 1995 to 1996, when he was named the provost and vice rector of the School of Theology, a position he held until his election as archabbot.
Archabbot Justin has also served as a member of the Archabbey Council and the Archabbey Strategic Planning Committee, and as a commuting chaplain for the Benedictine Sisters at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand.
