Fr. Cyprian Nordhus (1896-1991)

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Father Cyprian Nordhus passed away August 10, 1991.

As happens with many of St. Benedict’s Abbey, mention of a monk’s name will evoke a world of stories, some fables, and some highlighting foibles.  Father Cyprian is certainly not the exception to this monastic “thing.”  He was unique in that he had two brothers in the community, Fathers Meinrad and Clement, one brother who was a novice for a time at St. John’s in Collegeville, Minn., three Sisters at Mount St. Scholastica, a married brother who at one time had a son in the community and one at St. Gregory’s Abbey, Shawnee, Okla.; a vocation-blessed family.  In addition an artistic trait ran in the family.  Father Cyprian was no exception. 

Father Cyprian spent his monastic priesthood ministering in a number of parishes and as a college librarian.  For eight years he was pastor at St. Patrick’s, Atchison County, and while there went often on Saturdays after lunch exploring with his friend and fellow naturalist, Father Hubert Blocker. Father Cyprian loved the outdoors and birds.  He grew giant sunflowers in a part of the garden, often hoeing them while in his habit and lying on the ground.  He would harvest the sunflowers, bring them to his room, open his window, place the heads on the sill, wait, and watch for the birds. 

He displayed his artistic talents to a select public – elementary-school-aged children.  Wherever he was stationed, in the country, or in Kansas City, Kan., for more or less sophisticated military children at Fort Leavenworth or simple country kids, he was like a “Pied Piper of Hamlin” in that children flocked to him for religious instruction and crafts.  Many of them, now as adults, have kept a ring made of a toothbrush handle, a wood-burnt plaque or other object. 

One monk mentioned to him one day that he was so fortunate that in his 80s he did not have to wear glasses, had many of his own teeth, and could still work in the garden and go for walks.  His reply, “Yes, but it won’t last.”  Not one to stand on ceremony, sometimes when he was working in his later years in the College Library counting books, when tired he would simply take a nap lying on the floor between the stacks.  Once a student saw this habit-clad body on the floor, fearing him dead the student rushed tell a librarian.  Father Cyprian just woke up and went on counting; truly a remarkable man from a truly remarkable family.