Fr. Adalbert Blahnik (1867-1922)

Father Adalbert Blahnik passed away October 15, 1922.

Jiri Blahnik came to St. Benedict’s College from Landschim, Bohemia, in 1887 to study for the Benedictine priesthood.  As Frater Adalbert he made his first vows July 11, 1890, and was ordained June 28, 1896.  After a short stint as a teacher at St. Benedict’s College he was asked to go to Pueblo, Colo., to start a parish for Bohemians and Slovak people.  He returned to Atchison and St. Louis Parish, Good Intent, in 1906 and began to build a church there.  However, he was recalled to teach mathematics and zoology at the college and helped at various parishes in the vicinity.  In 1914 he was reassigned to St. Louis, Good Intent.  Father Adalbert suffered burns as a result of a fire at the rectory at Good Intent on October 14, 1922, and he died the next day at the Atchison Hospital.  Prior Gerard Heinz anointed him.