Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1926, Br. Alfred McCartney OCSO., lived for most of his early life in New Orleans. Entering Gethsemani Abbey as a lay brother on February 2, 1948, he took his simple vows on October 15, 1950, and his solemn vows on November 15, 1953.
Across the years, Br. Alfred served many positions at the monastery. Secretary to Abbot James Fox for some years, he was an assistant to Thomas Merton, helping him with his correspondence, for awhile. The job he enjoyed the most, though, was forestry manager. He loved going out on a tractor in the winter and trimming trees. He went to Mepkin Abbey for a few years in the 1960's and also tried living as a hermit, when that was being experimented with by many in the Monastery. In his later years, he was the Gethsemani archivist.
Br. Alfred was soft-spoken, but had a quick wit. He was well-read and enjoyed nothing more than discussing philosophy or literature. He was a genteel monk, impeccable in his manners, and deep in his prayer. He passed away quietly just before Vespers during the evening of Tuesday January 15, 2013, aged 87, after having been a monk for nearly 66 years.
Across the years, Br. Alfred served many positions at the monastery. Secretary to Abbot James Fox for some years, he was an assistant to Thomas Merton, helping him with his correspondence, for awhile. The job he enjoyed the most, though, was forestry manager. He loved going out on a tractor in the winter and trimming trees. He went to Mepkin Abbey for a few years in the 1960's and also tried living as a hermit, when that was being experimented with by many in the Monastery. In his later years, he was the Gethsemani archivist.
Br. Alfred was soft-spoken, but had a quick wit. He was well-read and enjoyed nothing more than discussing philosophy or literature. He was a genteel monk, impeccable in his manners, and deep in his prayer. He passed away quietly just before Vespers during the evening of Tuesday January 15, 2013, aged 87, after having been a monk for nearly 66 years.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1926, Br. Alfred McCartney OCSO., lived for most of his early life in New Orleans. Entering Gethsemani Abbey as a lay brother on February 2, 1948, he took his simple vows on October 15, 1950, and his solemn vows on November 15, 1953.
Across the years, Br. Alfred served many positions at the monastery. Secretary to Abbot James Fox for some years, he was an assistant to Thomas Merton, helping him with his correspondence, for awhile. The job he enjoyed the most, though, was forestry manager. He loved going out on a tractor in the winter and trimming trees. He went to Mepkin Abbey for a few years in the 1960's and also tried living as a hermit, when that was being experimented with by many in the Monastery. In his later years, he was the Gethsemani archivist.
Br. Alfred was soft-spoken, but had a quick wit. He was well-read and enjoyed nothing more than discussing philosophy or literature. He was a genteel monk, impeccable in his manners, and deep in his prayer. He passed away quietly just before Vespers during the evening of Tuesday January 15, 2013, aged 87, after having been a monk for nearly 66 years.
Across the years, Br. Alfred served many positions at the monastery. Secretary to Abbot James Fox for some years, he was an assistant to Thomas Merton, helping him with his correspondence, for awhile. The job he enjoyed the most, though, was forestry manager. He loved going out on a tractor in the winter and trimming trees. He went to Mepkin Abbey for a few years in the 1960's and also tried living as a hermit, when that was being experimented with by many in the Monastery. In his later years, he was the Gethsemani archivist.
Br. Alfred was soft-spoken, but had a quick wit. He was well-read and enjoyed nothing more than discussing philosophy or literature. He was a genteel monk, impeccable in his manners, and deep in his prayer. He passed away quietly just before Vespers during the evening of Tuesday January 15, 2013, aged 87, after having been a monk for nearly 66 years.
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