Another Kind of Legacy
Benedictines, especially the Benedictine Monks of Conception Abbey, had a lasting impact on the life of Julia Bonen and her family—an impact that would lead to a lifelong relationship spanning generations.
The Bonen siblings grew up near Pilot Grove, Missouri, where St. Joseph Catholic Church was staffed by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey. Julia’s brother, Albert attended Conception Abbey High School, and three of Julia’s sisters ended up joining Benedictine communities in Ft. Smith, Arkansas and Booneville, Missouri. Two other sisters joined the Sisters of Mercy in Omaha.
In fact, some years later Julia’s nephew, Don Arth, would attend the same Abbey High School as his uncle Albert. Fr. Luke Becker, OSB, helped Don obtain a scholarship to attend the high school, the school that would carry many fond memories for Don throughout his life. When Don later joined the Air Force, flying 90 missions in the Vietnam War, he carried with him his father’s rosary, a rosary blessed by Fr. Lucas Etlin, OSB, a monk of Conception Abbey.
The work of the Benedictine Monks of Conception Abbey would continue to be woven throughout the lives of the Bonen family.
So, when Julia Bonen and her sister Florence decided they wanted to do something to honor the memory of their brother, Albert, they knew exactly where to look, at Conception Abbey. Albert had joined the army during World War II and was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, leaving behind his wife and newborn son, James, whom he never got a chance to meet.
In July of 1987, Julia and her nephew Don traveled to Conception Abbey to visit Fr. Luke Becker, OSB, the former pastor of their hometown parish. While at breakfast, Julia told Fr. Luke that she would like to make a gift to Conception. Fr. Luke mistakenly thought she was saying that she would like to pay for their breakfast. Julia replied, “No, a little bit more than that, Father.” That day Julia turned her and her sister Florence’s dream into reality and established the Albert Joseph Bonen Scholarship at Conception Seminary College.
Julia managed the scholarship through the years, growing its funding so it could support seminarians for years to come. When Julia was no longer able to keep up this task, her nephew Don happily took over as the family representative of the scholarship, stating, “Conception Seminary has been an important part of the lives of my family for as long as I can remember.”
Don Arth and son Christopher
Now at age 92, it is Donald’s turn to pass this legacy on to the next generation by Bonen’s turning the scholarship oversight over to his own son, Christopher. We pray that our relationship with the Bonen and Arth families only continues to grow deeper with each passing generation.
Julia Bonen created a scholarship in her brother’s memory that has, so far, helped more than 40 seminarians discern their priestly vocation at Conception Seminary College. But perhaps even more valuable is the legacy of giving that she created, as this gift of love and service has been passed down from generation to generation. Sharing what Conception Abbey means to them and asking each generation to continue giving is a different kind of legacy—a legacy of generosity, of giving back.
-Christopher Brite, Director of Gift Planning
