After several weeks of declining health, Fr. Seamus Malvey died on July 31. He passed away in the abbey’s infirmary during the office of Vigils. Fr. Seamus was 89 years old, had been in monastic vows for 18 years and 36 years a priest when the Lord called him.  Born in New York, NY on Aug. 23, 1932, Fr. Seamus was a proud New Yorker, and he maintained his accent through his life.

He joined the Christian Brothers and was assigned to teach English in South Africa for many years. He left the Christian Brothers and was ordained to the diocese of Palm Beach in Florida on May 17, 1986. He joined Gethsemani later in life, aged 69, on Jan. 21, 2002. He made his solemn profession on May 17, 2007, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord. He was manager of the giftshop in the Welcome Center when it first opened and for many years afterward. In later years, he was a cheerful presence at the front desk in the retreat house lobby.

Fr. Seamus had a curiosity about and love for people. He enjoyed talking with visitors at our welcome center and was sometimes the first face people saw when they came here for retreat. He was warm-hearted and good-humored, quick to smile and laugh, with a gift for mimicry. He was also a gifted artist and had a small studio in the monastery where he worked with pastels and charcoal. He lifted the hearts of many with home-made greeting cards for various occasions – get well, thank you, and so on – which the community could sign. He was a lover of God, a lover of people, and a lover of this community.

The monks will begin the Office of the Dead on Tuesday, Aug. 2 and a funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated the following day.

Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Seamus, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Samples of Fr. Seamus' artwork