Br. Frank Gorzynski died on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph – patron of happy deaths. Br. Frank was 92 years old and had been in monastic vows for 58 years when the Lord called him.

A Chicago native, Br. Frank entered Gethsemani in 1959 and took the name of Br. Justin. He made solemn profession in 1967. That same year, he was sent to help at the La Dehesa foundation in Chile (now the Abbey of Miraflores). It was at La Dehesa that he began to be called Hermano Francisco. He then went full circle, being known as Br. Frank when he returned to Gethsemani in 1989. He brought back many fond memories of his time in South America.

By all accounts, Br. Frank was a quiet, unassuming and dutiful monk who appreciated the balance and routine of monastic life. He also had a positive attitude despite spending many years in Gethsemani’s infirmary.

“He was faced over and over again with surgeries meant to get him back on his feet,” Abbot Elias said during the funeral homily. “Each time he had to let go of his self-reliance a little more. He had to learn to recognize God’s mercy in the hands of those who helped him. Few people develop the kind of patience Br. Frank showed in recovery after recovery.”

Br. Frank began to decline rather quickly about two weeks ago. On March 18, the community joined him in his room for the Sacrament of Anointing. Brothers and nurses kept continual watch at his bedside thereafter. He then died at about 1 p.m. on March 19. On March 22, a funeral Mass was celebrated and the monks buried him in the abbey cemetery.

Eternal rest grant unto Br. Frank, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.