Teacher, sacristan, director of Mass intentions at Saint Benedict Abbey
Brother Benedict Hirsch, O.S.B., 56, of Saint Benedict Abbey in Still River, died peacefully on Monday, May 9, 2001, in the ICU of the Boston Medical Center.
Brother Benedict was born Vernon Hirsch on July 27, 1954, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of the late Vernon Hirsch and the late Geraldine (Whitman) Hirsch, and lived most of his first year in Illinois.
At age 1, he contracted polio, followed by asthma, and on doctor’s orders, his family moved to San Diego. At age 10, Brother Benedict was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and a few years later with scleroderma, which affected him for the rest of his life.
He attended Catholic high school and earned a B.A. from the University of San Diego, a master’s in religious studies from Providence College, and also attended Saint John’s College in Collegeville, Minn. Having been turned down by several monastic communities due to his health, he was accepted by the Brothers of Jesus Crucified in Rhode Island, which disbanded after a few years. He then was accepted by Saint Benedict Abbey, took the name Brother Benedict, and made his solemn profession in 1993.
In 1993 scleroderma affected Brother Benedict’s ability to eat, until he had to be fed intravenously. In 1995 he developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, from which doctors did not expect him to recover. His recovery from this, and his return to oral nutrition, were nothing short of miraculous. And though otherwise his health continued to deteriorate, he remained an active member of the Abbey, serving as porter, teacher and, until recently, as sacristan and director of Mass intentions.
Brother Benedict was predeceased by his parents and a sister who died in infancy. He is survived by two aunts, Bette Goodman and Pat Barth of Lebanon, Ore., many cousins, and his community at Saint Benedict Abbey.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at the Abbey Wednesday, May 18. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Brother Benedict’s memory can send it to Saint Benedict Abbey, Box 67, Still River, MA 01467.
