Meet the Monks

Rev. Mathias (Arnold) Spier, O.S.B.

August 5, 1931 - January 18, 2010

Rev. Mathias (Arnold) Spier

After graduation from the prep school, Arnold entered Saint John's University. After two years of academic studies, Arnold applied for the novitiate at Saint John's Abbey in 1951 and was given the name of Mathias. Completing the novitiate, Mathias professed vows as a Benedictine monk on July 11, 1952. He obtained a BA in philosophy in 1954 and began his four years of priesthood studies at Saint John's Seminary. Father Mathias was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1958. After his ordination, he was appointed associate pastor at Seven Dolors Church in Albany, Minnesota (1958-67). From there he was assigned to St. Bernard's parish in St. Paul where he was associate pastor (1967-73) and a part-time chaplain at St. Bernard's High School (1969-73). In July of 1973, Father Mathias was appointed pastor of Holy Name of Jesus parish in Medina, Minnesota (1973-79). At Holy Name, Father Mathias oversaw the liturgical renovation of the church. Looking to the future, he successfully promoted the expansion of the city of Plymouth's sewer and water lines to the parish plant. In August of 1979, Father Mathias returned to Stearns County and became pastor of SS Peter and Paul Church in Richmond, Minnesota, where he implemented the liturgical and pastoral decrees of the Second Vatican Council. To honor the 100th anniversary of the church building in 1985, he built an outdoor shrine designed by Brother Placid Stuckenschneider, OSB (1926-2007). After his six-year tenure as pastor in Richmond, Father Mathias took a half-year sabbatical in Rome from August 1985 to January 1986. During this time he participated in a renewal program, visited the Holy Land, and toured Austria and Germany. Upon his return to the United States, Father Mathias was appointed chaplain at St. Therese Home in New Hope, Minnesota. In 1986 Father Mathias was appointed associate pastor of St. Joseph's parish in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where he worked on community history and developed the local community food shelf. In July 1989 Father Mathias was appointed pastor of St. Boniface Church in northeast Minneapolis. He had the rectory remodeled so that fellow Benedictines could come there to stay while doing business in the Twin Cities or catching a flight from the airport. After his tenure at St. Boniface, Father Mathias returned to St. Therese Home in New Hope as chaplain (1998-2001). In July 2002 he became the chaplain of Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring, Minnesota, and then, beginning in 2003, pastor of St. James parish, Jacobs Prairie, Minnesota. Father Mathias returned to Saint John's Abbey in July 2005 to retire. During his retirement, he assisted with various jobs around the abbey and enjoyed reading and driving his electric cart on campus during sunny days. Father Mathias had a wry sense of humor and was always willing to give a quick comment on any topic. (2010)

Dates

Born: August 5, 1931

Birth Place: Freeport, MN

Professed: July 11, 1952 (20.93 years old)

Ordained: June 7, 1958 (26.84 years old)

Died: January 18, 2010 (78.46 years old)

Ordo Information

First Year Listed in Ordo at St. John's: 1953

Last Year Listed in Ordo at St. John's: 2010

Listed in 58 Ordos

Missing Years Ordos: 0

Names

Possible names for Rev. Mathias (Arnold) Spier, O.S.B.:

Rev. Mathius Spier, Fr. Mathius Spier, Father Mathius Spier

Rev. Mathius Spier, Fr. Mathias Spier, Father Mathias Spier

Rev. Mathius Spier, Fr. Arnoldus Spier, Father Arnoldus Spier

Rev. Mathius Spier, Fr. Arnold Spier, Father Arnold Spier

Pictures of Rev. Mathias (Arnold) Spier, O.S.B.:

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Sources include: Benedictine Ordo (1970-2010)

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