Fr. Valerian Berger (1898-1993)

Father Valerian Berger passed away October 27, 1993.

Charlie Berger, the youngest of eight children, lost both of his parents in less than a year.  At the graveside of the last parent to die the children were dispersed among the relatives.  Charlie attended grade school in Seneca, high school and college at St. Benedict’s and made first vows at St. Vincent in 1920. After finishing theological studies in Atchison he was ordained priest May 29, 1926.  He then began years of long and fruitful service in the parishes served by monks of the community.  As his death notice puts it, “Father

Valerian was a conscientious pastor.  He prepared many persons for membership in the church through individual instruction.  He is credited for bringing the lay apostolic organization, the Legion of Mary, to Burlington, Iowa.”

He was an author of books on the parish and family apostolates printed by the Abbey Student Press.  Much to his credit as well, he was active in interracial work long before it became the “cool” thing to do in some circles.  Ever zealous, Father Valerian sold subscriptions to the Catholic Digest to people – mainly former parishioners in Atchison – when they attended the Conventual Mass at which he concelebrated.  Ever economical, he had intricate methods for saving on electricity, like turning off lights, and for extending the life of candles.

His oldest sister was Sister Natalia Berger of the Mount.  In her old age she would ask some of the monks who served there if they knew “Charlie?”  Then she would say that she used to hold Charlie in her arms when he was a baby. That always conjured up a cute image.