Br. Peter Shults ordained to diaconate

Brother Peter Shults, O.S.B., monk of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, was ordained to the diaconate on March 19. Bishop David Konderla, of the Diocese of Tulsa, conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders during Mass in the abbey church on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph.

Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., presented Brother Peter for ordination.

“Brother Peter has shown himself to be an excellent candidate for ordained ministry. He has a profound faith, a great love for the Church and a sincere concern for others,” Abbot Lawrence said.  

During his homily, Bishop Konderla noted that the Solemnity of Saint Joseph was a very appropriate occasion for the ordination, citing the virtues of the saint. The bishop also called upon Brother Peter to contribute to the task of evangelization precisely through his monastic vocation, emphasizing the importance of monastic prayer to the mission of the Church. Monks of Saint Gregory’s Abbey frequently provide ministry in the Diocese of Tulsa through weekend parish supply, parish missions and hospital ministry.

Brother Peter is in his third year of theological formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. Abbot Lawrence described some of the unforeseen challenges for seminarians during a time of pandemic.

“Seminarians normally engage in various forms of pastoral ministry in settings away from the seminary. Restrictions during the pandemic meant that this important part of their formation was not possible during the past two years. Brother Peter creatively addressed the challenge by initiating a telephone ministry to oblates of Saint Gregory’s Abbey, who also were isolated due to COVID-19. In this way he was able to visit and pray with people from across the United States who were not able to be with their parish communities. Many have shared with me how comforting and encouraging it was to receive his calls,” Abbot Lawrence said. 

Another initiative Brother Peter began and continues to hold weekly is an interactive webcast called “Lectio Live.” He provides news on the monastery, talks about upcoming events in the Church and leads participants in a prayerful review of the readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass. He as followers from around the world.

Raised in Del City, Brother Peter professed vows as a Benedictine monk of Saint Gregory’s Abbey on July 11, 2016. Prior to entering the monastery, he served for 10 years in the U.S. Army with deployments in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Brother Peter plans to petition to be ordained to the priesthood in May 2023.


Photo: (Above) Bishop David Konderla lays his hands on the head of Br. Peter Shults, O.S.B., before the Prayer of Ordination. Photos Theresa Bragg.


Br. Peter with Bishop David Konderla and Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B.