Fr. Benet Amato, monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, dies

Father Benet Amato, OSB, monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, died at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. He was 56.

Surviving are his mother, Myra Amato, and a sister, Carolyn, both of New Jersey.

Fr. Benet was born in Jersey City, NJ, on June 27, 1952, to Dominick and Myra (Heilenday) Amato, and received the name Lawrence at his baptism.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Meinrad College in 1974 and a Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1979.

He was invested as a novice monk in 1974, professed his simple vows on August 15, 1975, and was ordained to the priesthood on April 29, 1979.

After his ordination, he served as associate pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Huntingburg, IN, for three years. He also served at St. Isidore Parish in Bristow, IN; at Holy Spirit Parish in Louisville, KY; and at St. Paul Parish in Tell City, IN, from which he also served the parishes of St. Michael in Cannelton, IN, and St. Pius V in Troy, IN.

Fr. Benet had been a teacher and administrator at Saint Meinrad College and Saint Meinrad School of Theology. He also served as the director of recruitment for both schools for several years and worked in Saint Meinrad’s Development Office. In 1990, he taught at St. Xavier High School in Louisville.

In recent years, he served as the infirmary chaplain at Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, IN. At the time of his death, was the resident chaplain at St. Augustine’s Home in Indianapolis, IN.