Date of death: 11/10/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1948
Fr. Simeon Daly, OSB, monk and priest of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, died on November 10, 2012, in the monastery infirmary. He was 90. He was a jubilarian of profession and priesthood, and a participant in the Rush Religious Study on Aging and Alzheimer’s.Surviving are nieces and nephews.Fr. Simeon was born in Detroit, MI, on May 9, 1922, to Philip and Marguerite (Ginzel) Daly, and received the name Philip John at his baptism. After his elementary education, he enrolled in the minor seminary at Saint Meinrad. Invested as a novice in 1943, he professed his simple vows on August 10, 1944, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 18, 1948.Fr. Simeon was appointed assistant librarian of the Archabbey Library in 1949, and that year received an STL degree from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Two years later, he received a Master of Science degree in library science. On August 16, 1951, he was named head librarian, a position he held for 49 years.He was a member of various library associations, including the American Theological Library Association, serving as president from 1979 to 1981.Fr. Simeon was instrumental in the planning of Saint Meinrad’s new library, dedicated in 1982. He also served as the monastery’s master of liturgical ceremonies during the 10 years preceding, during and following the Second Vatican Council.He was chair or a member of the monastery’s Liturgical Committee for many years, and he served as subprior (third in leadership) from 1975 to 1978. Most recently, he assisted in Saint Meinrad’s Development Office.Fr. Simeon was the author of Finding Grace in the Moment: Stories and Other Musings of an Aged Monk, published in 2005. He also wrote several pieces on aging for the various Notes series of the Abbey Press.The Office of the Dead will be prayed at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, in the Archabbey Church, followed by visitation until 9 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be from 8 to 9:45 a.m. in the Archabbey Church, followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Archabbey Cemetery. All times are Central Time.