Father Stephen Usinowicz was a Trappist (Cistercian) Priest/Monk who lived at Our Lady of the Holy ...
Father Stephen Usinowicz was a Trappist (Cistercian) Priest/Monk who lived at Our Lady of the Holy Cross Monastery in Berryville, Virginia. For many years, Fr. Stephen served as guestmaster and in that capacity provided spiritual guidance and friendship to men and women from all walks of life.
In September, 1981, John & Linda Ball, who had been spiritual friends with Fr. Stephen, named their first born son, Stephen to honor their friend. In November, 1981, Abbott Flavian Burns, released Fr. Stephen from his vow of stability for a few days, allowing him to travel to Lynchburg, Virginia, to baptize his namesake at the Church of St. Thomas More.
On December 24th of that year, John and Linda brought their baby, Stephen, to the monastery for lunch and a short visit. Fr. Stephen took the child in his arms, walked to the creche and said, "No plastic baby in the manger for me this year, I have the real thing!"
In 1984 or 1985, Fr. Stephen was diagnosed with bone cancer. Eventually, as his disease progressed he was moved to the infirmary and visits from people outside the monastery was severely limited. When he died, a large crowd of his friends flocked to the monastery to attend his funeral Mass. Fr. Stephen was buried in the monastery cemetery in the manner of all his brothers... dressed in his habit, hood pulled over his head, purple stole around his neck (to acknowledge his priesthood), white cloth covering his face, and work boots on his feet... he was lowered into the ground without a casket. His brothers and friends filled in the grave.
Fr. Stephen was a theologian and a poet. He was one of the most serene men I have every known. He was a channel of God's grace and love to all he met. I had a vision of my children learning about their faith while sitting under a tree with that lovely man who loved everyone who had the good fortune to know him. Sadly, that was not to be, but his memory and legacy of abiding love lives on through our son, Stephen, our daughter, Mary-Patrick, our granddaughter, Alana Marie, my dear wife, Linda and through me. May God continue to bless you, Fr. Stephen.
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