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VA Sec. McDonough Spotlights SOT/Sem graduate

November 7, 2024 • 1 min read

In an Oct 25th message, the Honorable Denis McDonough paid tribute to chaplains who serve the Department of Veteran Affairs. In his comments, Secretary McDonough (SJU ’92), highlighted a chance meeting with a priest of Saint John’s Abbey, Abbot Douglas Mullin, OSB.

Abbot Douglas Mullin, OSB earned a Master of Arts in Religious education and a Master of Divinity from Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. Abbot Douglas, OSB is the 11th Abbot of Saint John’s Abbey, and left his position as a chaplain when he was called forth to serve as Abbot by the Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Abbey.

Presently, SOT/Sem graduate Alexis (Marthaler) Steinhofer (SOT/Sem ’24) serves the same Saint Cloud VA Hospital through a chaplain residency program. Kenzie Wilson (SOT/Sem ’16) also serves the Veterans Affairs Healthcare system after earning a Master of Divinity.

The Saint Cloud VA medical center is a regular Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) site for our students.

If you are interested in serving your community through chaplaincy, request more information from our admission office. Our Benedictine values of Hospitality, Awareness of God, and Respect for Persons are an ideal framework to prepare for chaplaincy.