Surprised by 1989 election, Abbot Jerome still leading

Known for his background as a Scripture scholar, had to adjust to life in public eye

Published: December 11, 2014

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, is an accomplished craftsman in wood, often selling his creations to raise money for the abbey.

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, is an accomplished craftsman in wood, often selling his creations to raise money for the abbey.

SUBIACO — Benedictine Father Jerome Kodell had been assigned to Santa Familia Monastery in Belize in 1987, and he was flourishing there. He loved the simple life close to the earth and had made many friends there.

Then his focus had to change when he was elected abbot of Subiaco Abbey in 1989 and would return to Arkansas for full-time ministry there. It was difficult for him to let go of his quiet, rather anonymous life, and accept that he would now be “in the limelight” as head of one of the larger Benedictine abbeys in the country. The new responsibility also took him away from some research, study, and writing projects.

Abbot Kodell celebrated his 25th anniversary leading Subiaco Abbey in November with a small event with his brother monks.

Upon his election Nov. 8, 1989, Abbot Kodell was surprised to find that, all of a sudden, he was expected to be an expert or an authority on so many things for which he had no training or expertise. But — another surprise — he discovered that obedience to God’s call brought with it the grace to “do many things that I couldn’t do.” He also found that there were many generous lay people who were willing to assist in all areas of the monastery’s affairs.

“These days we couldn’t survive without partners in all areas,” he said. “We have wonderful lay staff in all departments, who support our vocation and ministry.”

He includes in this “partnering” the good relations with three Diocese of Little Rock bishops during his 25 years and cooperation with diocesan boards and clergy.

The average monk does not have to know or worry about the details of the finances of a large institution, but the abbot does have these worries. The daily and yearly costs of the abbey gave the new abbot another jolt and presented one of his greatest challenges. Another challenge he mentions is the delicate task of correcting monks. Another is that of seeking recruits — vocations — for the monastic life and then mentoring these new members. Abbot Kodell said learning to speak spontaneously in public was quite challenging at first.

Asked about the practices that have sustained him, he said prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is primary. Next he gives credit to the physical things of proper diet, exercise and manual work. He is grateful for the spiritual guidance provided by Blessed John Henry Newman.

He unwinds nowadays with carpentry repairs, woodworking projects and fishing excursions. Formerly, he enjoyed tennis, basketball and running, but his knees won’t allow these pursuits any longer. Last year he got interested in clearing and exposing the archeological remains at the original monastery site and continues keeping the site cleared.

That might sound like a lot to do in one week, but Abbot Kodell said he “doesn’t usually feel all that busy.” He has taken on many tasks in the diocese, in the Benedictine order and religious life circles — as retreatmaster, visitator, consultor and executive positions in the Conference of Major Superiors of Men. Locally, he is active in the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministerial Alliance, Promise Keepers and the Court Appointed Special Advocate program.

“I didn’t foresee the great blessing of being ‘forced’ out into the wider community and becoming friends with people in other churches and in local business and government,” he said. “This was not in my comfort zone and I probably would not have done this on my own. … I was invited because I was abbot. This did me more good than it did them.”

The abbot provided the following two anecdotes related to his election: “When I was elected I had been out of the country for two years, so one of the first things I did was to arrange a medical checkup. In the course of it, the doctor said, ‘I saw in the paper that you have new leadership at the abbey. Are the members satisfied?’ I answered, ‘I hope so.’ ‘How do you feel about it yourself?’ ‘I’m not sure.’ ‘Who was elected?’ ‘Father Jerome.’ He looked down at his papers and said, ‘Hey, that’s you.’ ‘I know.’

One of the abbot’s friends quipped that his election was such a shock that when the news got to Europe the following day, the Berlin Wall collapsed.

As a special reason for gratitude after 25 years, Abbot Kodell gives “the goodness and prayerfulness of our community.” And looking to the future, he hopes for “holiness for all” and “plenty of new members to keep going.”