Fr. Placidus Kieffer (1904-1990)

Father Placidus Kieffer passed away February 21, 1990.

Pastor of many parishes, mostly rural, often serving twice in several places, high school teacher of biology, biology professor at St. Benedict’s College, the first sacristan of the new Abbey Church, monitor of work on the grounds of the Abbey, master of ceremonies, are some of the “labora’ that Father Placidus Kieffer did as a monk of the Abbey.  There was much “Ora” as well as he was prized as a confessor and director.

From Clifton, Kan, Father Placidus came to St. Benedict’s for high school and college.  He entered the community July 2, 1927, studied at the Abbey School of Theology and was ordained May 21, 1932.  He began his long service as pastor and teacher as assistant at St. Benedict’s, Atchison, in ministry to the African-American and Hispanic population.  To prepare for teaching at Maur Hill and St. Benedict’s College he did graduate studies at the University of Michigan in1936-1937, and at the University of Iowa in 1940.

Abbot Ralph Koehler asked Father Placidus to live at the Abbey, minister at St. Louis Church, Good Intent, and manage the outside yard work at the Abbey.  This he did ably assigning the Brothers Anthony, Robert, and Francis and the novices to what were daily tasks.  It seemed to be a rule that they did not rake leaves unless the wind was at least 30mph!  His motto was, “We need to make this place look like somebody lives here.”  Fr. Placidus died of cancer in 1990.