Rev. Eugene (Casimir) Marshall, O.S.B.

Rev. Eugene Marshall, O.S.B., died on June 18 at age 97. He had completed 76 years of monastic profession and 70 years of priestly ministry. At the time of his death, he was the most senior and eldest member of the monastic community and the oldest Catholic priest in Oklahoma.
 
Father Marshall was born on Dec. 23, 1922, in Harrah to Walter and Catherine (Scybiak) Marshall. He was baptized two days later on Christmas Day and raised in Saint Teresa Parish in Harrah. After completing high school in Harrah, he enrolled at nearby Saint Gregory’s College in 1941, coming to the place that would be his permanent residence for the rest of his life.
 
Father Marshall professed vows as a monk of Saint Gregory’s Abbey on July 11, 1944. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Saint Gregory’s College and completed theological studies at Saint Gregory’s Abbey. He was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 25, 1950. He completed a bachelor’s degree in library science from the University of Oklahoma in 1953 and a master’s degree in educational technology from the University of Southern California in 1971.
With the exception of one year when he was assigned to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Los Angeles while completing studies at USC-Los Angeles, Father Marshall faithfully lived his monastic commitment at Saint Gregory’s Abbey.
 
In the monastery, he served at various times as prior, subprior, novice master, sacristan and as a member of the Senior Council. He was the long-time head librarian for Saint Gregory’s High School and College, serving in that capacity from 1949 until his retirement in 1992.
 
Without any previous experience, he quickly adapted to the role, organizing, promoting and expanding the library collections and services to serve a growing academic institution. He also taught English and mathematics at Saint Gregory’s High School. He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in East Los Angeles (1970-1971), administrator of Saint Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Prague (1976) and as pastor of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in McLoud (1994-2006). When not otherwise assigned, he provided weekend ministry at churches throughout Oklahoma.  
 
Father Marshall exhibited the “good zeal that monks ought to foster with fervent love.” He was devoted to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and was known to pray at the tabernacle in the Abbey Church each time he began and ended his daily work periods. He likewise had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Never one to remain idle, he spent “free” time working in the abbey vegetable garden, grafting pecan trees, operating the abbey’s antique printing press, tending bees and extracting honey.
 
Father Marshall died peacefully, strengthened by the sacraments of the Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers George Marshall, Marion Marshall, Carl Marshall and Bennie Marshall, his brother-in-law Vincent Marino and sister-in-law Earlene Marshall. He is survived by the monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, siblings Rosalie Marino of Harrah, Helen Jean and Leonard Schmitt of Garland, Texas, John and Harriet Marshall of Harrah, sisters-in-law Mary Marshall of Coppell, Texas, and Mary Marshall of Conroe, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. The monastic community expresses gratitude to the staff of Golden Rule Nursing Home who lovingly cared for him during the last seven months of his life.
 
Mass for Christian Burial was held at Saint Gregory’s Abbey on June 22.


Photo: Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., celebrates the funeral Mass for Fr. Eugene Marshall, O.S.B., on June 22.  Photos Theresa Bragg.