Father Alphonse H. Meier, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Thursday, June 8, 2006, in Latrobe Area Hospital. He was the son of the late Herman and Rose (Hoffman) Meier. He was born in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1923. His sisters, Sr. Mary Virginia, O.S.B., Marleen Brier, Jane and Lyra, are deceased.
He attended Saint Mary Parochial School, St. Marys, and was a 1941 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1946, and a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1948. In 1952, he received a licentiate in sacred theology from the Collegio di Sant’Anselmo, Rome, Italy.
He entered the Benedictine monastic Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1943. He made simple profession of Vows on July 2, 1944, and solemn profession on July 11, 1947 at Montecassino Archabbey, Italy. He was ordained a Priest by Bishop Placido Nicolini on June 29, 1948, in Assisi, Italy.
Father Alphonse served the Archabbey primarily in its educational apostolates. At Saint Vincent Archabbey, he was assistant pharmacist (1944–1945). At Saint Vincent College he was a prefect (1945–1946 and 1952–1954), an instructor in theology (1954–1974), and chaplain (1964–1967). He also served in various College positions in development and alumni relations (1969–1988).
At Saint Vincent Seminary, he was a prefect (1954–1966), moderator of C.C.D. (1954–1966), and professor of dogmatic theology (1954–1974). In 1989, he was named Professor Emeritus of Dogmatic Theology. Other teaching experiences were as a summer instructor at Saint Benedict Monastery, Bristow, Virginia; Mt. St. Marys Monastery, Pittsburgh and Saint Joseph Monastery, St. Marys (1953–1968).
Since 1967, Father Alphonse served as Director of the Development Club. In 1973, he was President of Wimmer Corporation, serving in that position for two years.
He has also served the parish apostolates in weekend ministry at the following parishes: Ascension Parish, Jeannette; St. Thomas Parish, Clarksville; St. Ignatius Parish, Bobtown; Holy Name Parish, Monessen; Holy Cross Parish, Webster, and at St. Bruno Parish, Greensburg.
Viewing will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 10, and from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 11 in the parlor o f the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center. A vigil service will be held at 7:15 p.m. Sunday in the Saint Vincent Basilica. A Mass of Chistian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 12 in the Archabbey Basilica.
