Fr. Placidus McKeever (1840-1896)

Father Placidus McKeever passed away September 22, 1896.

Born in Ireland in 1839, Placidus entered St. Benedict’s College in 1861, professed first vows in 1866 and was ordained in 1869.  He was first assigned to St. Benedict’s Parish in Atchison as an assistant to Prior Louis Mary Fink.  Later he was sent to Iowa where he ministered in six counties.  The Abbey Student in 1913 mentions that “Over a great part of the state his name is still a household word in many families.”  Father Placidus built churches in Iowa and later in Effingham, Kan.   His last pastorate took in Troy, Fanning, and White Cloud in Kansas and a church in Perrin, Mo.  During this time he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. 

In the last weeks of his life, “He spoke of his coming death with feelings of profound submission of the will of God.  He often is reported to have said, ‘If God wills it so it is good that I should go.’” Father Placidus was known for his charity and as an “enemy of gossip.”  The poor always found in him a friend.