Rev. Maurus (Paul) Jaeb, O.S.B

Rev. Maurus (Paul) Jaeb, O.S.B., monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey, entered eternal life on Sunday, January 15, 2017.  He was 75 years old, had been a professed monk for 58 years and a priest for 21 years. Born on April 10, 1941, Paul Andrew Jaeb was the eldest of the four children of Allen and Helen (Mayerhofer) Jaeb of St. Michael, MN.  After attending school in St. Michael, he came to Shawnee, OK, in 1955, to attend St. Gregory’s High School.  He became a Postulant for St. Gregory’s Abbey on January 17, 1957, and a Novice on July 10, 1957, receiving the name Brother Maurus.  He professed his first vows as a monk on July 11, 1958, Simple Perpetual Vows on April 30, 1962, and Solemn Vows on March 13, 1967. Br. Maurus served in many roles at St. Gregory’s Abbey, High School and College.  In the Abbey he served at various times as Sacristan, Associate Vocation Director, Business Manager, Guest Master, Sub-Prior, Development Director, on the Abbey Senior Council for several terms, and was the first Brother in the community to serve as Sub-Prior.  In the late 1960s he served on the planning committee of the U.S. Religious Brothers Association. After ministering in external pastoral assignments he returned to the Abbey in July 2014, when he assumed duties as Abbey Oblate Director, coordinator of Mass intentions, and special confessor for the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of St. Joseph Carmel in Piedmont, OK. At St. Gregory’s College, Br. Maurus served in the business office (1965 – 1973), as manager of the college bookstore (1973-1982), College Business Manager (1982 – 1984) and Alumni Secretary (1977-1984).  In this role he founded and sponsored the “Student Alumni Council,” a select group of students that raised scholarship funds for their fellow students.  Br. Maurus took on a new challenge in 1984, when he joined the pastoral team at St. Benedict Parish, Montebello, CA, a large parish in the greater Los Angeles area staffed by monks from St. Gregory’s Abbey.  He performed a number of roles in the parish, including as administrator for parish youth programs.  In 1988 he was assigned as Pastoral Associate at St. Benedict Parish, Shawnee.  Having found pastoral ministry very fulfilling, Br. Maurus discerned his vocation to ordained ministry.  He entered St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, MA, in the fall of 1991.  He was ordained as Deacon on May 21, 1994, and as Priest on May 27, 1995. After his ordination Fr. Maurus returned to St. Benedict Parish, Montebello, CA, as Associate Pastor.  In June of 1999 he became Pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Shawnee, OK, remaining until 2008, when he returned to the Abbey to serve as Abbey Development Director.  In June of 2010, Fr. Maurus became Pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Del City, OK, where he served faithfully until July of 2014, Fr. Maurus was always grateful for his vocation as a Benedictine monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey and the opportunities it gave him to develop his talents and to be of service to others, often using his strong organizational and managerial skills.  He was devoted to prayer and the celebration of Mass. He found great joy and encouragement in the many friendships he formed throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed the blessing of a good meal shared with his friends.  He is survived by the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, his brother John Jaeb and sister-in-law Patti, his sisters, Sr. Helen Jane Jaeb, S.S.N.D., and Christine and brother-in-law Stephen, his extended family, former parishioners and countless friends. Visitation at St. Gregory’s Abbey continues each day between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. until his funeral.  Vigil for the deceased will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, at St. Gregory’s Abbey Church.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 20, at St. Gregory’s Abbey Church with interment following in the Abbey Cemetery. The monastic community is grateful to the Abbey Health Care Staff for the attentive care they gave to Fr. Maurus.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Gregory’s Abbey Infirmary Fund, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK  74804.