Rev. Basil M. Kennan, OSB

Rev. Basil Michael Keenan, OSB, monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey, entered eternal life strengthened by the sacraments of the Church on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.  He was 77 years of age, had been a monk for 55 years and priest for 49 years. Fr. Basil was born on March 6, 1940.  He was adopted as an infant along with his twin sister Patricia through Catholic Charities by Joseph and Helen (Doherty) Keenan.  Raised in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral Parish in Oklahoma City, he attended John Carroll School, Catholic High School and graduated from St. Gregory’s High School in 1957.  After two years of study as a National Merit Scholar at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS, he entered the novitiate at St. Gregory’s Abbey in June 1960.  He professed vows as a monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey on June 24, 1961. After his profession of vows, Fr. Basil returned to St. Benedict’s College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Math in 1963, graduating summa cum laude.  He completed theological studies at St. Gregory’s Abbey and was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1967.  Following ordination, Fr. Basil pursued a Masters in Chemistry at the University of Oklahoma, completing the degree in 1969. Fr. Basil served in both the educational and pastoral ministries of the Abbey. He served at various times between 1974 and 1990 as an instructor of math, chemistry and Spanish at St. Gregory’s College.  Occasionally he fulfilled teaching responsibilities while residing away from the monastery on pastoral assignments.  His pastoral assignments included:  Associate Pastor, St. Benedict Parish, Montebello, CA (1968); Associate Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, East Los Angeles, CA (1971-1974); Pastor, St. Stephen Parish, Holdenville, OK (1976-1979);  Associate Pastor, Assumption of Mary Parish, Duncan, OK, (1989); Pastor, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Coalgate, OK, with Our Lady of Good Counsel Mission in Lehigh, OK, and St. Patrick Mission, Atoka, OK (1990-1991); Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Tulsa, OK (1991-1992); Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Tulsa, OK (1992-1996); Pastoral Associate, St. Benedict Parish, Shawnee, OK and Immaculate Conception Parish, Seminole, OK (1996); Pastor, Immaculate Conception Parish, Seminole, OK, with St. Cecilia Mission, Maude, OK, and St. Joseph Mission, Wewoka, OK (1997-2012); Assisting Priest, St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Guymon, OK, with St. Francis Cabrini Mission, Bison, OK, and Church of the Good Shepherd Mission, Boise City, OK (2013); Administrator, St. Joseph Parish, Muskogee, OK (2015-2016); Administrator, St. Paul Parish, Eufala, OK (2016); and Pastoral Associate, St. Thomas More Parish, Tulsa, OK (2016).  Fr. Basil served the monastic community and the broader public in various other ways.  He served in the monastery as sacristan, cantor, guest master and barber.  Fr. Basil was appointed in 1979 to serve for three years on the Oklahoma Archdiocesan Commission for Hispanic Affairs, Inc.  From 2010 to the time of his death, Fr. Basil served as a priest chaplain at John H. Lilley Correctional Center in Boley, OK, offering Mass and other sacraments to the inmates.  Whenever he was in residence at the monastery, Fr. Basil was eager to provide weekend supply ministry in parishes across the State of Oklahoma. Fr. Basil had a lifelong love for Gregorian Chant, which he first learned to sing as a boy in the parish choir at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral. He similarly was passionate about languages, especially Latin and Spanish.  He found great delight in making connections between the Romance Languages and their origins in Latin. Although he was not comfortable in crowds, he was an effective teacher and homilist.  He was devoted to the teaching of the Church on moral issues, while at the same time guiding those in his care with compassion, especially immigrants in difficult circumstances and prisoners.  He enjoyed conversation with confreres and friends, “corny” jokes, and the welcome he received from several families. Fr. Basil led a very frugal life, giving a strong witness to monastic simplicity. Fr. Basil died unexpectedly on February 22 from a brief acute illness.  He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Patricia Keenan Ingraham.  He is survived by the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey, and many former students, parishioners and friends. Fr. Basil’s body will lie in state at St. Gregory’s Abbey until the time of his funeral.  Vigil for the Deceased will be prayed in the Abbey Church at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 26.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. in the Abbey Church on Monday, February 27, with interment following in the Abbey Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the St. Gregory’s Abbey Infirmary Fund, 1900 W. MacArthur, Shawnee, OK  74804.