Father Richard Walz, OSB

Father Richard Walz, OSB always knew that he wanted to be a priest. “Incredibly, I was blessed to reach that goal,” he said. “However, the longer I have been a monk, the more I realize that what I really wanted was to be a religious in a community. I have been doubly blessed to find my way to this community and be ordained a priest.” 

Father Richard came to Subiaco Abbey as a freshman in 1955. After graduation, he entered the monastery and made his first profession of vows in 1961. Six years later, he was ordained. 

One of Father Richard’s greatest joys — and challenges — came in 1975 when he was chosen to found a new monastery in Belize. “My love of music almost exactly matched the people of that country,” he said. “And my ‘jack of all trades’ talents were just what was needed as we built a new monastery. While I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was likely my greatest challenge as well.” 

Ten years later, when he returned to Subiaco Abbey on a sabbatical, Father Richard was assigned to work at the retreat center, a ministry he “would never have chosen,” but came to love.  

“I often spoke to the retreatants about my experience in Belize,” he said. “I play guitar and taught them many Caribbean songs that we use in Church in Belize. The music has such a good rhythm and the message is so clear it easily catches the attention of those who hear it.” 

Father Richard also served as development director at Subiaco Abbey for a few years. Though fundraising was not his natural calling, he discovered a gift for gratitude. “I gradually came to realize that there was one thing I was good at — thanking people,” he said. 

Traveling with another Brother, he spent countless hours visiting alumni, benefactors, and friends just to express appreciation. “Those trips embodied our life as religious living in community and at the same time bringing our Benedictine way of life to others who in many cases were no longer able to come to Subiaco,” he said. “And thank them we did — from the bottom of our hearts.” 

His closing words of wisdom: “Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” 

Through the support of SOAR! donors, aging religious like Father Richard can continue to share their peace and joy with the world.