Cover photo for Brother Stephen Patrick Petronek, O.C.S.O's Obituary
Brother Stephen Patrick Petronek, O.C.S.O Profile Photo
1925 Brother 2022

Brother Stephen Patrick Petronek, O.C.S.O

January 2, 1925 — September 10, 2022

Moncks Corner, SC --  Brother Stephen Petronek, O.C.S.O., 97, died on Sept. 10, 2022. He was a monk at Mepkin Abbey for almost 70 years.  Born in Bellaire, OH, into a large family, he served as a yeoman in the U.S. Navy before entering Mepkin Abbey in June 1953. He professed his solemn vows in April 1959, committing himself to the contemplative monastic life.  From a loving family, he enjoyed welcoming his relatives for their annual visits.  Brother Stephen fulfilled many roles at Mepkin, including serving as the abbot’s secretary and helping develop the monastery’s poultry industry.  He used his gardening skills in the gardens around the Abbey Store and Reception Center, the church, and the senior wing. He was guest master for 35 years, and, true to the words from the Rule of Saint Benedict, he welcomed each visitor as the presence of Christ.  With a genuine warmth and smile, he saw to the needs of those making a retreat, preparing their rooms and helping them acclimate to the monastic quiet.  For a good number of years, he served the community as a prior and was a member of the monastic council.  He faced the challenges of aging with a prayerful spirit, saying, “I am never alone. God is always with me.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in the Abbey Church, with interment to follow in the monastic cemetery.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brother Stephen Patrick Petronek, O.C.S.O, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 13

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree