Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, of St. Peter’s Benedictine Abbey, Muenster, SK, died Aug. 14, 2024 on the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the age of 79 years. He died in Humboldt Hospital after a battle with cancer.
St. Peter’s Abbey – Remembering Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB (LINK)
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel – Abbot Peter Novecosky (LINK)
From the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) (With files from the B.C. Catholic, Canadian Catholic News)
Born Wilfred Novecosky on April 17, 1945, in Humboldt, SK, he was the youngest child of Martin and Elizabeth Novecosky of St. Scholastica Parish, Burr, Saskatchewan, where he attended elementary school before going to high school at St. Peter’s College in Muenster.
In 1963, young Wilfred entered the monastic community of St. Peter’s Abbey as a novice. In 1964 he made his profession of vows as a Benedictine monk, changing his name from Wilfred to Peter. He would be the last vocation from the former St. Peter’s Abbacy, a diocese (abbey nullius) that existed between 1921 and 1998 when it became part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
Novecosky began his academic journey at Willow Ridge School in Burr and continued his secondary education at St. Peter’s College in Muenster. He then pursued higher education at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1966. His theological studies culminated in a Master of Arts in 1970.
He was ordained to the priesthood on July 11, 1970, in Humboldt, SK, by Saskatoon Bishop James Mahoney.
On July 23, 1990, Novecosky was elected as Abbot Ordinary for the Abbacy of Muenster, SK, a position that was confirmed by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 19, 1990. His Abbatial Blessing took place in Humboldt on Nov. 26, 1990. The fifth Abbot of St. Peter’s Abbey, Fr. Peter succeeded Abbot Jerome Weber.
He was honoured with the title of Abbot Ordinary Emeritus of St. Peter’s Abbacy in 1998, the year that the Abbacy became part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon.
Throughout his ministry, Novecosky has served in various significant roles that have shaped both his local community and the broader Church.
From 1970 to 1972, he was the prefect of discipline and a high school teacher at St. Peter’s College in Muenster. He also served as associate pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Humboldt from 1972 to 1977.
His editorial talents were expressed in his work with Prairie Messenger, where he served as Assistant Editor from 1970 to 1981, Managing Editor from 1981 to 1983, and Press Manager from 1983 to 1990. During this time, he also managed St. Peter’s Press in Muenster.
Novecosky took over the role of Managing Editor of the Prairie Messenger again in 2012 after the death of Fr. Andrew Britz, OSB, and he served in that role until the closing of the Catholic publication in 2018.
In addition to his editorial and pastoral duties, Novecosky carried out several other important services to the Church. Among other things, he was a member of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (English Sector) from 1991 to 1995, served on the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy from 1995 to 1999, and has been serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Western Bishops Conference since 1991.
His commitment was further demonstrated through his role as National Spiritual Director of the Canadian Women’s League from 1992 to 1998 and as State Chaplain for the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus from 2000 to 2002. He participated in the Synod of Bishops in Rome in 1994.
Novecosky’s life has been a testament to faith, leadership, and dedicationf. His journey, marked by a deep commitment to his faith and his community, reflects his motto, “My heart is ready, O God.”
A funeral prayer vigil for Abbot Peter Novecosky (1945-2024) was held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19 at St. Peter Cathedral in Muenster, SK. The funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Aug. 20 at St. Augustine Parish, Humboldt, SK. with Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina presiding. Both celebrations were live-streamed; see Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel website for details: LINK. Interment followed Aug. 20 at St. Peter’s Abbey Cemetery.
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