Brother Raphael Maurice Olson OSB

1929 - 2013

Brother Raphael Maurice Olson OSB, 84

Collegeville

May 25, 1929 - August 29, 2013

Brother Raphael Maurice Olson died on August 29, in the Saint Cloud Hospital. A vigil prayer service will be held on September 2, 7:00 p.m. in Saint John's Abbey Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Brother Raphael on September 3, 3:30 p.m. in Saint John's Abbey Church with interment in Saint John's Cemetery.

Maurice Andrew Olson was born on May 25, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the third child of Oscar William and Mary Margaret (Foley) Olson. Maurice graduated in 1945 from Holy Rosary Parish grade school in Minneapolis. Maurice then enrolled in the MacPhail School of Music for one year. Struggling to discern a vocation, Maurice sought out the advice of an archdiocesan priest, Father Gorman, who suggested that Maurice visit Saint John's Abbey on the Feast of Saint Benedict, July 11, 1947. After the festal ceremonies, Maurice made arrangements to enter the abbey as a brother candidate.

Maurice entered the novitiate at Saint John's in March 1948 and professed vows as a Benedictine monk on March 21, 1949.

Following profession, Brother Raphael began working in the sacristy, refectory (monastic dining room), and the book bindery. In 1950, Brother Raphael was sent to assist in the kitchen at Saint John's mission community at Saint Maur Priory in South Union, Kentucky, the first interracial monastery in the United States.

Returning to Saint John's in 1953, Brother Raphael again took up his job as refectorian for the abbey, a position he kept until 1963. His next job took him to the abbey woodworking shop, and in the summers he helped out in the abbey gardens and campus flower beds.

In 1977, Brother Raphael accepted a position at Benilde-Saint Margaret's High School in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, as a cook and head custodian for the Benedictine community which worked at the school.

Returning to Saint John's in 1985, Brother Raphael continued as a baker (making "Johnnie Bread" on weekend shifts baking 400 to 500 loaves a night), as a gardener, and assistant sacristan.

Brother Raphael will be best remembered by his brother monks as a baker of desserts on feasts of the liturgical year and other special occasions.

Brother Raphael is survived by his sister, Donna Pukay; nephews, Michael, James, and Anthony Pukay and niece, Karen Pukay; and the community at Saint John's Abbey.