Fr. Theodore Heck, OSB, the world’s oldest Benedictine monk, died on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at the age of 108.
A monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, Fr. Theodore was a jubilarian in profession and priesthood, the senior member of the Swiss-American Congregation in profession, priesthood and age, and the senior in age of the entire confederation of Benedictine monks throughout the world. He was also a participant in the Rush Religious Study on Aging and Alzheimer’s.
Fr. Theodore was born in Chariton, IA, on January 16, 1901, to Henry Heck Sr. and Margaret (Steinbach) Heck. He received the name Henry John at baptism. After attending elementary school in Missouri, and three years of high school in West Terre Haute, IN, Fr. Theodore enrolled in the minor seminary at Saint Meinrad in 1918. He entered the novitiate in 1922, professed his simple vows on September 8, 1923, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1929. He would have celebrated his 80th anniversary as a priest next month. [Click here to read the entire article and view a slideshow on Fr. Kick’s life.]
Slide show was really enjoyable when I went to read the whole article.