HOME
What's New at Conception Abbey?
Conception Abbey
Conception Seminary
College
Location
Giving Gateway
Abbey Guest Center
Printery House
Events
Prayer Schedule
Oblates
Spiritual Reading
Links
|
Back to Table of Contents
Father Edgar Probstfield enters eternity
In the early hours of the morning of Sunday, 11 February 2007, our beloved confrere, Father Edgar Probstfield, O.S.B., jubilarian in both profession and priesthood, passed quietly and peacefully into eternity. He had been in our infirmary for just over a month, after having returned home to Conception Abbey following surgery related to lung cancer. His condition, though quite serious, had appeared to be improving until it took a sudden turn for the worse the weekend of his departure. Though grieved at his passing, his confreres are confident that his sudden departure from among us is a sure sign of his readiness to stand before his Maker to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter your master's joy!”
Victor David Probstfield was born on 9 January 1927, in Verona, Missouri, where monks of Conception Abbey staffed Sacred Heart parish. Victor was the ninth of eleven children (among whom was also his younger brother Vernon, later to become our Father Regis). Victor was aware quite early of the stirrings of a priestly vocation, but feared that the finances required for such an education might be too much for his family to bear. When he confided his concerns to Father Ambrose Sperandio of Conception, Father Ambrose told him, “You want to be a priest? Come to Conception; we'll make you a priest.” Victor did just that. He entered the novitiate in 1945 and professed his first vows as a Benedictine on 11 July 1946, receiving the name Edgar from Abbot Stephen Schappler. Having established himself during his clericate as a steady and dependable monk, Frater Edgar was permitted to make his solemn perpetual vows. On 29 May, 1952, he was ordained to the sacred priesthood.
Father Edgar's assignments were many and various. He demonstrated a knack for mechanical and technical work as well as notable managerial skills. He helped install heating and electrical systems in campus buildings and organized the system of locks and keys then in use throughout the Abbey. In 1954, he was asked to go to Conception's new foundation at Elkhorn, Nebraska (now Mount Michael Abbey), where he worked as farm and plant manager and assisted in the construction process of the fledgling monastic community. Eventually, Father Edgar returned to Conception Abbey serving as Business Manager from 1970-1976.
In 1959 Father Edgar received the first of his many pastoral assignments, going first to St. Joseph's Parish in Springfield, Missouri, and then to the local parish of St. Columba at Conception Junction, Missouri, as assistant pastor. His years as a pastor took him to the helm of many of the parishes served by Conception Abbey but, no matter where he went as pastor, Father Edgar impressed those entrusted to his care with his remarkable combination of straightforward simplicity and homespun wisdom.
Father Edgar was something of an outdoorsman, and a lifelong and avid angler. He was never happier than when he and his brother, Father Regis, could find time in their busy schedules to take a few days away for a little rest and relaxation together on a distant lake or stream with rod and reel in hand. “Compleat Anglers” both, the brothers Probstfield would have done Izaak Walton himself proud, and were always delighted to be able to treat any of their many friends or confreres to a companionable fish fry of a summer evening.
Last summer, declining health necessitated Father Edgar's return to Conception from his most recent pastoral assignment at St. Joseph's Parish in Parnell. With the monastic humility so typical of his life, he was ready to reinsert himself into the day-by-day round of life in the monastery, and to take on any assignment that might come his way now that he was back at home. Becoming community mail man, Father Edgar had again become a familiar figure around the campus and, after only a few days at this task, he remarked to Abbot Gregory: “You know, this is the perfect assignment for me. It's given me a way to get to know everyone by name again!”
During a fairly routine visit to his doctor last December, a spot was discovered on his lung. The decision was made to remove the spot, and Father Edgar faced the surgery cheerfully and with faithful resignation. Recovery was slow, but he was permitted to return to the Conception infirmary to begin the first stages of therapy and eventually the return to active life. But God's plans were different, and Father Edgar was willing, as always, to serve his Master's will.
Father Edgar is survived by his monastic confreres, including his blood brother Father Regis Probstfield, O.S.B.; by his sister Mrs. Caroline McNerney of Mt. Vernon, Missouri; his brother Mr. Ralph Probstfield of Tucson, Arizona; by his sisters-in-law Mrs. Geneva Probstfield of Verona, Missouri, and Mrs. Gerda Fitts of Hermitage, Missouri; and by many nieces and nephews and their children.
Vespers of the Faithful Departed were prayed at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, 13 February 2007, and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 14 February 2007. We commend our beloved confrere to your prayerful remembrance.
We welcome your comments:
communications@conception.edu
www.conceptionabbey.org
Back to Table of Contents
|
