Fr. Ambrose, former St. Joseph rector

    Benedictine Father Ambrose Gerald Wathen, the former rector of St. Joseph Seminary College and a monk of St. Joseph Abbey, died July 3 at St. Joseph Abbey. He was 81.
    Son of the late Henry and Lillian Wathen, Father Ambrose was born in Evansville, Ind., and made his profession as a Benedictine monk of St. Joseph Abbey on Aug. 21, 1959. He was ordained a priest on Aug. 28, 1965.
    Father Ambrose also was preceded in death by his sister, Anna Mae Wathen Lewis, and is survived by his brothers Melvin Wathen and Jim Wathen.
    Father Ambrose’s 53 years as a monk were marked with the love of learning and the desire for God, serving his fellow monks, the Benedictine order and the greater church in numerous capacities. As a talented artisan, he served his brother monks in the kitchen, sacristy and tailor shop.
    A gifted scholar, Father Ambrose published numerous articles on monasticism and served as a seminary professor, the formation director of the monastery, a professor in Monastic Institute at Sant’ Anselmo in Rome and was the fourth president-rector of St. Joseph Seminary College.
    The Funeral Mass for Father Ambrose was celebrated July 10 in the Abbey Church, followed by burial in the Abbey Cemetery.