Father Theophile Waldorf BROWN

BROWN, Father Theophile Waldorf, O.S.B. of Mary Mother of the Church Benedictine Abbey, entered eternal life on December 24, 2011. He patiently endured the ravages of tongue and throat cancer for several months and died peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital. Born August 24, 1925 in Richmond, Va., Father Theophile was the third son of Thomas and Sarah (Taylor) Brown. He is survived by an older brother, Thomas; as well as a host of nieces and nephews and cousins . He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers. After high school graduation, he worked a few years and attended Van de Vyver Adult Education Center and then entered the monastery at St. John Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he professed his first vows on July 11, 1950 and later continued his education there. Father Theophile was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1956. He was the first Afro-American priest ordained from the Diocese of Richmond. After his ordination, he was assigned to St. Augustine's Monastery in Nassau, the Bahamas, where he was Prior for 10 years. He also taught at St. Augustine High School and assisted at parishes in Nassau for 38 years. In 1994, he transferred his stability to Mary Mother of the Church Abbey in Richmond, Va. so that he could be near his family. He served his new community as prior, and later as novice master. He was spiritual director of the Benedictine Oblates. He also taught French at Benedictine College Preparatory School. Father Theophile was an accomplished musician and played the organ at the

liturgy at the Abbey. He also assisted in celebrating weekend Mass at various parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and served many years as Chaplain of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Father Theophile was very active in his monastic community until three months before his death. A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at The Little Sisters of the Poor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2011 at Mary Mother of the Church Benedictine Abbey, with the interment to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the All Saints Catholic School, 3814 Noble Ave., Richmond, Mary Mother of the Church Benedictine Abbey, or a charity of your choice.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.