Brother Luke Dowal OSB

Collegeville - Saint John's Abbey: Brother Luke Dowal OSB died September 19, 2025

Zygmond Dowal was born on December 18, 1923, to Vincent and Stephania (Szczawinski) Dowal in Gardner, Massachusetts. He was the middle child with an older brother and younger sister. "Ziggy" attended the local elementary and high schools, graduating in 1941. He entered the Merchant Marines in 1942 and served the war years at sea. After the war, he continued to work on merchant ships.

Ziggy learned of Saint John's through Father Damian Baker, OSB, who was pastor of Saint Anselm's Benedictine Parish in New York. At the age of 34, he arrived at the abbey as a brother candidate.

Upon entering the novitiate in 1959, Ziggy received the name of Luke. Brother Luke made his first profession of vows on March 21, 1960. During his early years as a monk he worked in the garden, carpenter shop, monastic dining room, and sacristy.

In April 1963, Brother Luke was sent to Saint John's foundation in Tepeyac, Mexico, to help with building maintenance and cooking. While in Mexico, Brother Luke made his solemn profession in 1967.

Returning to Saint John's in 1967, Brother Luke was appointed sacristan, worked in the University library, and began taking courses at the Saint Cloud School of Nursing and received a nursing degree. From 1972-1978, he served as the abbey infirmarian.

Brother Luke resumed his tasks as abbey sacristan again in 1978 for thirty years until his retirement in 2008, describing his work as a "liturgical engineer".

A live-long passion of Brother Luke was painting. His numerous paintings were of flower arrangements, landscapes, seascapes and an occasional portrait. About his paintings, Brother Luke said: "They help me keep alive the sense of wonder in the world."

In retirement, Brother Luke continued with his painting and inspired his confreres by his steady friendly presence, faithfulness in common prayer, community mindfulness, and optimistic enjoyment of life.

Brother Luke died on 19 September 2025 in the retirement center at Saint John's Abbey. He is survived by a niece and nephew and the community at Saint John's Abbey. The monks, family, and friends will receive the body at 7:00 pm on Thursday 25 September and celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial for Brother Luke at 3:30 pm on Friday, 26 September in the Saint John's Abbey and University Church, with interment in the Abbey Cemetery. The service will be live streamed (https://www.youtube.com/saintjohnsabbey).