From the Archives

Father Denis Statham, O.S.B., was an educator par excellence, a devoted monk and a beloved curmudgeon. Underneath what seemed to be a sometimes blunt and crusty personality, Father Denis possessed a big heart, but did his best to make sure it wasn’t seen on a regular basis.

He was born on Oct. 21, 1919, in Cisco, Texas. His family moved to Oklahoma City where he was a student at Bishop John Carroll Catholic School. He hailed from a staunch Catholic family as a brother was a priest and his mother joined the Benedictine sisters when she became a widow. 
Attending Saint Gregory’s High School in Shawnee, and seeing the monastic lifestyle firsthand, he became convinced that he was being called to the religious life. He made his monastic profession in 1939, solemn vows in 1942, and was ordained a priest on March 17, 1945.

Father Denis’ obvious intellectual talents were quickly recognized as he earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Oklahoma. He then received a doctorate in theology from the Angelicum in Rome in 1954. During his time in Rome, he became intrigued with the Jesuit theologian and philosopher, Bernard Lonergan.

His role as a professor was the stuff of legend at Saint Gregory’s. Brilliant, challenging and demanding, Father Denis was named teacher of the year by students throughout the 1970s and 80s. He worked very hard to help the students learn to think critically and he was not afraid to push them to get to that point. Regardless of what he required, he was widely respected and appreciated.

Not limited to academia, he was a spiritual director for the Cursillo movement, conducted retreats at the Abbey and was subprior for the community. His love for the history of the community led him to spearhead the restoration the two existing structures and the clean-up of old Sacred Heart in Konawa, the birthplace of the Benedictines in Oklahoma.

His teaching prowess notwithstanding, it was his passion for horses that led to another type of ministry for which he became known. In 1974, he began an equestrian therapeutic program for those with disabilities. His motto had become: “The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse.” He even stenciled this on the door of the abbey work truck—in Greek.

Ironically, it was a serious fall from a horse that led to his physical decline during his final years. Upon his passing, one of the stories told about Father Denis came from a student. The student decided to engage the somewhat intimidating professor by uttering the innocuous phrase, “How are you this morning, Father Denis?” His response: “Better than you.” One can only imagine the wry smile on his face as he walked away.