O.S.B. REV. Kenneth Zigmond

Our confrere, Father Kenneth Zigmond, the eldest and senior monk of the community, died at the Abbey.

Born in Chicago on October 23, 1931, Francis Zigmond grew up in St. Michael the Archangel Slovak Parish. Part of his high school training was at the school in East Troy, Wisconsin, conducted by the Society of the Divine Word. However, he returned to Illinois and graduated from St. Procopius Academy in 1948. After his sophomore year at St. Procopius College, he entered the monastic novitiate in 1950. Following his profession on June 24, 1951, Frater Kenneth continued his studies at the College and then the Seminary. From 1952, he served as a prefect in the Academy, both before and after the 1956 transfer of the campus to the present site of Benet Academy. On June 1, 1957, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Martin McNamara at St. Raymond Nonnatus Cathedral in Joliet. Over the next twenty-four years, he taught at various times Religion, Latin, and Spanish at the Academy, coached in both the football and baseball programs, and for some years moderated the parents' clubs. Very happy in his work and well-liked by students and parents alike, Father Ken expected to remain happily and indefinitely at Benet. He was stunned to be asked by Abbot Valentine Skluzacek in 1981 to replace Father Paschal Honner as assistant pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Lisle. Quite reluctantly did he finally consent. But the hard-working and dedicated Father Ken soon became a revered and beloved figure at the parish, to which he devoted his full attention for thirty-eight years. A true rock of Benedictine stability and pastoral care, he served under pastors Father Kevin Sheeran, Father Edward Kucera, Father Roman Galiardi, Father Gerald Tivy, and Father Gabriel Baltes. Circulatory problems troubled him as he moved into his mid-eighties, until at last he decided to move back to the monastery in 2019. There again, he was admired for fidelity to community exercises and gentle humor. Settling back well into monastic life at the abbey, he followed dutifully the scores of Benet's many sports teams, as well as his beloved Chicago White Sox. He was dutiful also in answering the many parishioners who wished to keep in contact with one who had made such a positive impression. During the Christmas season, it was noted year after year by those who distributed the monks' mail that about as many cards would arrive for Father Ken as for the rest of the community combined. For his part, Father Ken would with a red face apologize to the mail handlers that he caused them so much labor. His health grew ever feebler during his final year or two, and he was grateful for the attention of those who made it possible to spend his last days at the Abbey.

In memory of Fr. Ken, a lighted candle stands in front of a crucifix at his place at table in the refectory.

Fr. Kenneth is survived by his monastic community, his brother John (Theresa), his beloved nephew and three nieces who called him affectionately, "Uncle Zig," and his many beloved great nieces and nephews.

The community will receive his body at Vespers at St. Joan of Arc Parish Church,820 Division St, Lisle, IL 60532 on Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. A reception will follow in the parish hall. The community will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Procopius Abbey, 5601 College Rd, Lisle, IL 60532 on Friday, March 6, at 10:00 a.m. with interment in the abbey cemetery.