February 20, 2023

On February 20, Fr. Christopher Wyvill, O.S.B. died after a year and a half of declining health.

Born in Upper Marlboro, Maryland in 1930, he received his primary and secondary education there, after which he enlisted in the Navy for three years. Toward the end of that period, he won an NROTC scholarship to Cornell University.

Upon graduation in 1955, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Bearss, where he served as an engineering officer. After being released from active duty he entered the Benedictine community at St. Anselm’s, where he made his first vows in 1960 and was ordained priest in 1965. During his many years at the abbey he served most capably in various positions: for twenty years as a teacher of chemistry and mathematics in the abbey’s school, and in the monastery itself at various times as bursar, plant manager, cantor, guestmaster, and gardener. He also served for two years at a parish of the English Benedictine Congregation in Swansea, Wales, where he was greatly appreciated by the parishioners. Back in Washington, Father Wyvill was involved in the charismatic movement until a diagnosis of cancer in 2021 required him to curtail many of his activities.

As a genuine pillar of his monastic community, he will be greatly missed. His body will be received in the abbey church at 4 pm on Friday, February 24, with visitation available until 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, followed by burial in the abbey cemetery.

The Funeral Mass will be streamed to our Facebook page and YouTube Channel for those unable to attend in person.