Gethsemani has a long history, and Br. Frederic Collins has witnessed much of it firsthand. While not the most senior monk at the monastery (Br. Frederic entered the monastery in 1954. Fr. James arrived as a teenager four and a half years earlier.), Br. Frederic is the oldest monk in the house. On March 31, he turned 98 years old and officially became the oldest Gethsemani monk to date.

Br. Frederic remains sharp and physically active. He is also a voracious reader. While the identity and value every monk (and indeed every person) is more than their job, one cannot help but note that it was Br. Frederic who started the mail order business now known as Gethsemani Farms – the monastery’s main source of income to this day.

In April, America magazine published an article about Br. Frederic, his life and his concern for the poor. We praise God for Br. Frederic’s perseverance and commitment and thank the Lord for his joyful witness among us. Ad multos annos!

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