Br Paul Bernard Williams OCSO
(Bernard Cardwell Williams Jr)
Born into a Protestant family in Fort Worth TX, in 1930, who nevertheless named him Bernard, he found himself walking in the steps of Thomas Merton. Like Merton, he went to Columbia University, where he happened to find a copy of Thomas Merton's autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, which led to his conversion to Catholicism. Like Merton, he was early attracted to Cistercian life, but figuring the life would be too hard for him, he joined the Carmelites. But his love for Cistercians continued to percolate, and by a series of coincidences, including a personal letter of invitation from Thomas Merton, he entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1955, where Thomas Merton was his novice director.
Then in 1957, he came to the Abbey of New Clairvaux. For Br Paul Bernard, life with the Trappists was a forty-six year love story, and his joy was infectious. He served the monastery as an organist, cantor, composer, business manager (cellarer), and in many other capacities through his long service. In the 1960's, he wrote our English liturgy, both the music and Opus Dei texts.
Br Paul Bernard Williams OCSO died on February 25, 2001, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was seventy years old.
At his Mass of Resurrection and burial, a large number of people attended; the Abbey church was filled to near capacity, a tribute to the honor and love we all had for him.
(Bernard Cardwell Williams Jr)
Born into a Protestant family in Fort Worth TX, in 1930, who nevertheless named him Bernard, he found himself walking in the steps of Thomas Merton. Like Merton, he went to Columbia University, where he happened to find a copy of Thomas Merton's autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, which led to his conversion to Catholicism. Like Merton, he was early attracted to Cistercian life, but figuring the life would be too hard for him, he joined the Carmelites. But his love for Cistercians continued to percolate, and by a series of coincidences, including a personal letter of invitation from Thomas Merton, he entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1955, where Thomas Merton was his novice director.
Then in 1957, he came to the Abbey of New Clairvaux. For Br Paul Bernard, life with the Trappists was a forty-six year love story, and his joy was infectious. He served the monastery as an organist, cantor, composer, business manager (cellarer), and in many other capacities through his long service. In the 1960's, he wrote our English liturgy, both the music and Opus Dei texts.
Br Paul Bernard Williams OCSO died on February 25, 2001, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was seventy years old.
At his Mass of Resurrection and burial, a large number of people attended; the Abbey church was filled to near capacity, a tribute to the honor and love we all had for him.
Br Paul Bernard Williams OCSO
(Bernard Cardwell Williams Jr)
Born into a Protestant family in Fort Worth TX, in 1930, who nevertheless named him Bernard, he found himself walking in the steps of Thomas Merton. Like Merton, he went to Columbia University, where he happened to find a copy of Thomas Merton's autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, which led to his conversion to Catholicism. Like Merton, he was early attracted to Cistercian life, but figuring the life would be too hard for him, he joined the Carmelites. But his love for Cistercians continued to percolate, and by a series of coincidences, including a personal letter of invitation from Thomas Merton, he entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1955, where Thomas Merton was his novice director.
Then in 1957, he came to the Abbey of New Clairvaux. For Br Paul Bernard, life with the Trappists was a forty-six year love story, and his joy was infectious. He served the monastery as an organist, cantor, composer, business manager (cellarer), and in many other capacities through his long service. In the 1960's, he wrote our English liturgy, both the music and Opus Dei texts.
Br Paul Bernard Williams OCSO died on February 25, 2001, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was seventy years old.
At his Mass of Resurrection and burial, a large number of people attended; the Abbey church was filled to near capacity, a tribute to the honor and love we all had for him.
(Bernard Cardwell Williams Jr)
Born into a Protestant family in Fort Worth TX, in 1930, who nevertheless named him Bernard, he found himself walking in the steps of Thomas Merton. Like Merton, he went to Columbia University, where he happened to find a copy of Thomas Merton's autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, which led to his conversion to Catholicism. Like Merton, he was early attracted to Cistercian life, but figuring the life would be too hard for him, he joined the Carmelites. But his love for Cistercians continued to percolate, and by a series of coincidences, including a personal letter of invitation from Thomas Merton, he entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1955, where Thomas Merton was his novice director.
Then in 1957, he came to the Abbey of New Clairvaux. For Br Paul Bernard, life with the Trappists was a forty-six year love story, and his joy was infectious. He served the monastery as an organist, cantor, composer, business manager (cellarer), and in many other capacities through his long service. In the 1960's, he wrote our English liturgy, both the music and Opus Dei texts.
Br Paul Bernard Williams OCSO died on February 25, 2001, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. He was seventy years old.
At his Mass of Resurrection and burial, a large number of people attended; the Abbey church was filled to near capacity, a tribute to the honor and love we all had for him.
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