SJU President Emeritus Dietrich Reinhart passes away

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January 15, 2009

Video of Br. Dietrich Reinhart's Mass of Christian Burial

Br. DietrichBr. Dietrich Reinhart, OSB, president emeritus of Saint John’s University, passed away peacefully in St. Raphael Hall, the retirement center at Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville, early on Monday, Dec. 29.

The monks received the body of Br. Dietrich at a Vigil Service on Monday, Jan. 5, in the Saint John's Abbey Church.

Abbot John Klassen, OSB, presided at the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, Jan. 6, in the Saint John's Abbey Church. Archived video of the Mass of Christian Burial is available on csbsju.edu. Interment followed in the Saint John's Abbey Cemetery.

A memorial service for Br. Dietrich was held on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the Saint John's Abbey Church with the CSB and SJU campus community. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Benedictine Institute at Saint John’s University in honor of Br. Dietrich.

In addition, the Tribute to Br. Dietrich event originally planned for Friday, Jan. 23 has been rescheduled to Friday, April 17 at Saint John’s. All are welcome. More details about this event will be forthcoming.

Reinhart served as the 11th president of Saint John’s University from July 1, 1991 to October 21, 2008.

Reflections from Memorial Service: MaryAnn Baenninger | William Cahoy | Robert Culligan | Abbot John Klassen, OSB

Homily by Abbot John Klassen, OSB, at Mass of Christian Burial | Remarks by Dan Whalen, interim president of Saint John's University, at Mass of Christian Burial

Media coverage: Catholic News Service (12/30/08) | Catholic Review (12/30/08) | Minnesota Public Radio (12/29/08) | KARE-TV (12/29/08) | WJON-AM (12/29/08)

St. Cloud Times photo gallery from Anointing Service for Br. Dietrich (11/5/08)

Dietrich Reinhart announces resignation (Oct. 16, 2008)

Br. Dietrich bio and selected speeches

CaringBridge Web site (to read the many messages from alumni, students, staff and friends sent to Br. Dietrich during his illness as well as his letters to his online community of support).