Resurrexit in Pace

Father Duane Roy OSB, May 11, 1941 – May 8, 2025, died on the morning of May 8, 2025.  He had received the last rites and the Apostolic Pardon, and was surrounded by brothers in prayer.   

A native of Stockton, KS in the Salina Diocese, Father Duane was born on May 11, 1941. the son of the late John and Olive (Morin) Roy. He attended Webster Elementary and High Schools in Webster, KS.

Although awarded a scholarship to attend Kansas State University in the fall of 1958, after discernment, he turned it down and enrolled at St. Benedict’s College. After two years of college, he entered the novitiate of St. Benedict’s Abbey to become a Benedictine monk on July 10, 1960, professing vows on July 11, 1961. He recalled that the prayer and work around the grounds of the Abbey as a novice flowed naturally from his life growing up on a farm. The same year that Fr. Duane entered the novitiate, his parents were honored by the Salina Diocese with what he called “the prestigious Catholic Farm Family of the Year award.” 

Fr. Duane graduated from St. Benedict’s College in 1963 with a degree in Philosophy.  He professed solemn vows as a monk on July 11, 1964, and was ordained as a priest on June 2, 1967 by Archbishop Edward Hunkeler. The summer of his ordination to the priesthood, he spent a month each at Sts. Peter and Paul, Seneca, KS; St. John’s Burlington, IA, and as a Hospital Chaplain at Fort Dodge, KS.

Fr. Duane always had a love of learning, and in 1967 he began graduate studies in library science at Emporia State University. During this time he also served as a weekend chaplain at Fort Riley in Kansas. From 1968-1971, Fr. Duane was head of the technical services division of the St. Benedict’s College Library. 

From 1971 until 2001, Fr. Duane served in a number of positions at St. Joseph Priory in Mineiros, Brazil.  From 2001-2002 he returned to Kansas for a year, and was pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Effingham, KS. In 2002, Fr. Duane returned to Brazil and served as Vicar General for the Prelacy of Cristalandia, Tocantins, Brazil under Bishop Herbert Hermes, OSB, also a monk of St. Benedict’s Abbey. In 2010 he returned to Mineiros.

In 2018, after nearly five decades of service to the people of Brazil, Fr Duane returned home to the Abbey. He worked for a time as chaplain for the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica where his friendship with the sisters and his ministry was appreciated. 

In the last years of his life, with his memory diminishing, Fr. Duane remained a part of the community and would be brought to events. He seemed to be at peace with the community in which he had served Christ all these years. 

Father Duane is survived by three sisters: Joan Rader, Linda (Randy) Cross, and Cheryl (David) Calvin, and two brothers, Roger (Desra) Roy, and Rodney (Christi) Roy.

Fr. Duane was preceded in death by his parents John and Olive (Morin) Roy, a sister, Sr. Veronica Roy, C.S.J., and brothers Ronald, Allan (Gerry), and Kenneth (Ruth Ann).

The monks will celebrate Vigils for the Dead and Visitation, Monday, May 12 at 7:00 PM in the Abbey Church. The Mass of Christian Burial and Interment will be Tuesday, May 13 at 10:30 AM. 

Memorials in honor of Father Duane may be sent to St. Benedict’s Abbey, 1020 N. Second St., Atchison, KS 66002 or left online.