Brother Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B., an attorney from southern California, and Father Peter Augustine Pierjok, a priest from the Diocese of Peoria, will profess solemn vows as Benedictine monks at Saint Vincent Archabbey at 10 a.m. Friday, July 11, in the Archabbey Basilica.

Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B.
Brother Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B.

Brother Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B., a native of southern California, was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he was a student at Saint Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary Grade Schools and Benilde High School. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, in 1970, majoring in English and Secondary Education. He taught senior English at Coon Rapids Senior High School for two years before returning to southern California in 1972.

After successful business ventures in insurance, he entered Western State University / Thomas Jefferson College of Law, San Diego, in the fall of 1975, where he completed his studies for the Doctor of Law degree in December of 1977. He was admitted to the State of California Bar Association and practiced law continuously thereafter in California. His practice focused on transactional issues, generally in the entertainment industry.

His parents, John and Vera Curtis, both deceased, were long-time residents of Coronado, California. His sister, a resident of Los Angeles since 1962, is Loretta Roberson. Following the death of his wife, Roswitha, in 2000, he continued to practice law until he was admitted to the novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey. The couple had three daughters, now in San Diego: Christina, a first grade teacher at Clearview Elementary School, Chula Vista; Stephanie Anne, a CPA and senior analyst for the Corky McMillian Companies, a publicly traded regional real estate developer; and Katherine Rose, a registered nurse in the Emergency Room at San Diego Hospital.

Brother Bonaventure has served as an assistant in the Archabbot’s Office (2005-2007), and was named assistant director of Archabbey vocations and is a member of the faculty of Saint Vincent College.

Peter Augustine Pierjok, O.S.B.
Father Peter Augustine Pierjok, O.S.B.

Father Peter Augustine Pierjok, O.S.B., is the son of the late Harry A. Pierjok, Sr., and Emma L. Pierjok. His sister is Roseanne Pierjok King of Rolla, Missouri.

He is a 1965 graduate of Nashville Community High School, Nashville, Illinois. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in design from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, in 1969, studied philosophy at both Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, and at Saint Vincent College. He earned a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1987.

Before entering Saint Augustine Community in 1983, he had a fifteen and a half year careeer in sales and marketing, last employed by Do-It Best, Inc., headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

On April 16, 1987 he made perpetual vows with the Benedictine Community of St. Augustine, Peoria. He was ordained a priest on May 28, 1988 by Bishop Edward W. O’Rourke of the Diocese of Peoria.

Father Peter Augustine was named associate director of Highwoods Learning Center, Washington, Illinois, in 1986 and director in May of 1988. At that time he was also named associate director of Saint Augustine Manor and Conference Center. In June 1990, Bishop John J. Myers appointed him assistant pastor of Saint Vincent DePaul Parish, Peoria. In 1992 he was appointed pastor of St. Mary Church, Kickapoo, Illinois, and in June of 1999 pastor of St. Jude Church, Peoria. He served as pastor of St. Mary Church, Henry, Illinois; Immaculate Conception Church, Lacon, Illinois and St. Joseph Church, Henry, Illinois from June 2003 until June 2004 when he transferred from the Diocese of Peoria to enter the monastic community at Saint Vincent Archabbey.

In August, 2005 he was appointed Chaplain at Latrobe Area Hospital, where he served until 2006. He also served as the socius of novices and postulants for the Archabbey (2005-2007), as well as director of Archabbey guests and guest facilities and the assoicate director of vocations (2005-2007). From October of 2006 to August of 2007 he served as administrator of Forty Martyrs Parish, Trauger.

In 2007, Father Peter Augustine was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Youngstown, and Saint Cecilia Parish, Whitney.