Fr. Otho Sullivan (1902-1978)
Born up the river at Rulo, Neb., and raised near Mercier, Kan., Father Otho came to Atchison for high school and college studies. He made his first vows at St. Vincent Archabbey July 2, 1923. After two years of theological studies at Sant’Anselmo, Rome, he finished his studies in Atchison and was ordained June 2, 1928, also earning a master’s in philosophy from Notre Dame in 1953.
Father Otho served as teacher and chaplain at Maur Hill, and was assistant at St. Benedict’s Parish, Atchison, from 1935 to 1939. He was then a visiting professor at St. Peter’s Abbey Nullius in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, and hospital Chaplain there as well. During World War II he served four years as an Army Chaplain in the South Pacific.
As a professor at St. Benedict’s College he served parishes at Troy, Bendena, Purcell and Doniphan. Sometimes during bad weather he rode an old draught horse, Tom, to St. John’s, Doniphan.
In 1961 Father Otho volunteered to go to Brazil. Along with Father Matthias Schmidt, later bishop of Ruy Barbosa, and Father Stephen Burns, he went to the new capital, Brasilia, to explore making a foundation. Later the three decided to accept the charge of Holy Spirit Parish, Mineiros, Goias, in Central Brazil. The foundation flourishes in Mineiros and in Goiania as well.
Father Otho returned from Brazil in 1969 and later served as Chaplain at Mercy Hospital, Fort Dodge, Iowa, and as pastor at St. Malachy’s Parish, Creston, Iowa, until 1974.
The Abbey relinquished that parish in 1974. At one time there was a small priory there staffed by “Irish” monks.
Father Otho retired to the Abbey where he suffered a stroke in March of 1978. He was a colorful man. He had broken the fingers on his right had and so they were at right angles at he joints. He was proud of the ability to be able to point around corners. As a professor of philosophy, of logic in particular, he used a simple verse and dance to teach on principle of logic: “Affirm the antecedent and deny the consequent.”
