Br. Peter Karasz (1940-2022)

Brother Peter Karasz, Obl.S.B., a claustral oblate of St. Benedict’s Abbey died on Sunday morning, January 16, 2022. He had been fortified by the Sacraments of the Church and the Apostolic Pardon. 

Born on June 8, 1940, in Budapest, Hungary, his early years were spent in the tumultuous war and post-war years of that country. As a young man he joined in the Budapest uprising against the Soviet communist regime in 1956; after which he was able to escape from Hungary, and eventually came to the United States joining relatives here. Even though not yet a citizen, Peter served in the United States Army from 1958 through 1963, when he received an honorable discharge at the end of his tour of duty. 

He was married in September 1964; that marriage was dissolved ten years later.  Br. Peter and his wife had two children, Peter and Linda.

Later in life, he discerned a call to the monastic life, becoming a claustral oblate, meaning an oblate who lives in the cloister, of Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, CO. Peter studied diligently in preparing for his citizenship test and passed it with an excellent grade.  He received his certificate of citizenship on September 21, 2005. Shortly after that, Holy Cross Abbey closed, and Br. Peter, along with a number of the monks from Colorado came to Atchison, where he transferred his oblation to St. Benedict’s Abbey on October 18, 2006. 

Br. Peter liked to do woodworking, crafting, and loved to read. When his eyesight failed, he continued his love for reading through the use of audiobooks. He continued to join the monks for prayer and Mass.

Br. Peter was preceded in death by his parents George and Klara (Hartman) Karasz and is survived by a sister, Istvanne Banhegyi née "Katyi" Karasz, and a brother, Tamas, and nephews: Gergely and Szabolcs Banhegyi, and Peter Palko Karasz.  Br. Peter’s children live in the United States.

Vespers for the Dead will be prayed on Wednesday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Benedict's Abbey Church.  The Mass of Christian Burial for Brother Peter will be celebrated in St. Benedict’s Abbey Church on Thursday, January 20 at 10:00 AM., with interment following in the Abbey cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Brother Peter may be sent to St. Benedict’s Abbey, 1020 N. Second St., Atchison, KS 66002.

We ask each community member to offer Mass once according to the manner of his participation in the priesthood of Christ. We commend our brother, Brother Peter, to your prayers.