Father Hilary retires to Subiaco after 67 years as a monk

89-year-old monk served parishes in Fort Smith, Subiaco area for 58 years

Published: June 11, 2011

Longtime pastor Father Hilary Filatreau addresses 300 parishioners and friends at his retirement dinner May 22 at St. Mary Church in Altus.

Longtime pastor Father Hilary Filatreau addresses 300 parishioners and friends at his retirement dinner May 22 at St. Mary Church in Altus.

ALTUS -- After serving in the priesthood since 1949, Father Hilary Filiatreau, OSB, will retire June 12 with the celebration of his last official Mass as pastor of St. Mary Church in Altus.

During 21 years at St. Mary, Father Filiatreau baptized 215 babies and adults, officiated at 105 weddings and presided over 171 funerals. He celebrated more than 7,000 daily and Sunday Masses, with only occasional absences because of illness or short personal retreats.

The church hosted a retirement celebration and dinner honoring the 89-year-old Benedictine monk May 22 in Lawrence Hall. Nearly 300 friends, family, current and former parishioners and colleagues attended the gathering.

Abbott Jerome Kodell of Subiaco Abbey opened the evening with a prayer and the St. Mary Knights of Columbus served the dinner. St. Mary parish council chairwoman Mary Jane Post Cains thanked the pastor for his 21 years in Altus and his life of religious leadership.

Born April 21, 1922, to Dr. Raymond and Genevieve Clements Filiatreau in Mechanicsburg, Ind., he was named James Edward.

His Catholic education and the religious influence of his parents and family in his early life played an important role in Father Filiatreau's path to a career in the religious life.

"All through grade school, I wanted to be a priest," the Benedictine told Arkansas Catholic. "I was influenced by the religious in my family. My aunts and uncles visited our home, and I visited with them. That was my influence."

His father had two sisters belonging to the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine. On his mother's side, two aunts were members of the Sisters of Lorreto, and one uncle was a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. In addition, another uncle, Father L.C. Clements, was ordained to the priesthood May 28, 1898.

For years, Father Filiatreau has used the chalice handed down to him from his uncle. He spent his junior and senior years of high school at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, where he graduated in 1941. From 1941 to 1943, he attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. His interest in Subiaco Abbey resulted after receiving a copy of the Abbey Message from a friend.

On Aug. 16, 1943, he traveled to Subiaco. He professed his vows as a monk on Sept. 15, 1944, receiving the name Hilary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1949, at Subiaco Abbey by Bishop Albert L. Fletcher.

Following ordination, Father Filiatreau became chaplain at Subiaco Academy from 1950 to 1955. During this time, he also served as director of oblates and assistant director of oblates, as well as assistant director of hospitality.

From 1953 to 1959, and again from 1989 to 1990, he was pastor of St. Benedict Church in Subiaco. From 1959 to 1975 he was pastor of St. Ignatius Church in Scranton and Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Morrison Bluff. A third, St. Meinrad Church in Prairie View, was assigned to his pastorate from 1965 to 1975.

From 1975 to 1984, he was pastor of St. Boniface Church in Fort Smith. From 1984 to 1990, he returned to the abbey as guestmaster, director of retreats and manager of Coury House.

Father Filiatreau's longest tenure in one location began in 1990 at St. Mary in Altus. Although revered by many for the spiritual uplifting and renewal that he brought to them, he is most recognized for the restoration of St. Mary Church in 1999.

It has often been referred to as a "work of art" because of its "priceless murals, massive stained glass windows, ornate pressed metal and beautiful woodwork."

A significant project for Father Filiatreau was his participation in the ecumenical services of the Altus/Ozark Council of Churches.

Upon his retirement June 12, Father Filiatreau will return to Subiaco Abbey where his pastoral ministry began 67 years ago.

"It (religious vocation) was a constant presence in my life," he said. "That's been the way that it is."