
When Benedictine Father John Klassen’s 23-year run as abbot of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville ended in January 2024, he was asked what was next on his agenda.
Recognizing the need for Hispanic/Latino ministry in the Diocese in St. Cloud, he said his plan was to “work hard to become competent in Spanish.”
There, Father Klassen immersed himself in the Mexican culture and prayed with the monks in Spanish. Joining in conversation, however, was more challenging than he expected.
“I have a heck of a time hearing Spanish when it’s going past me,” Father Klassen said. “It’s like a very fast train.”
He added, “I realized that, at home, this is what all the people who sit opposite me in our dining room at the monastery – who are from Vietnam, Mexico or other places where English is their second language – must feel. It gave me first-hand experience of being on the other side of that equation.”
He admits that, even though he was working hard at immersing himself in Spanish, the Wi-Fi in his room allowed him to “treat himself to a little bit of Minnesota Public Radio every once in a while.”

(Photo Submitted)
A highlight for him was a trip to the New Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where he concelebrated Mass in Spanish. He was touched by the kindness extended to him during his travels and appreciated the beauty of the way Mexican culture prioritizes family life.
Father Klassen admits he has more work to do on honing his Spanish-speaking skills and looks forward to practicing while celebrating a bilingual Mass at the Festival of Families on Feb. 2 at St. Francis Xavier in Sartell. Click here to learn more or to register.

(Submitted Photo)
Now that he is back in Minnesota, he will teach monastic spiritual theology at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary while also working in the abbey development office. He said the time away to study and pray helped in transitioning out of the role of abbot.
“I had to really let go of the kind of habits of thought and action that have gradually embedded themselves as part of my being over 23-plus years,” Father Klassen said.
Now, he said, it is a privilege to have time to “think about other things” and sit with his brothers in the community during prayer. Of the many perks to being abbot, there is one he especially misses this time of year.
“You have a car assigned to you and it is in a heated garage,” Father Klassen said. “Now, I have to remember to sign up for a car when I want to go into town and if it snowed, I have to be ready to clean it off.”
Top Photo: Benedictine priest, Father John Klassen stands in front of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Benedict’s Parish outside of Mexico City.
(Photo Submitted)
Fr. John,
Thanks for your love to the Latinos. Language is a bridge of love and light to our humanity’s. Your learning of the language is a small piece of recognition of the cultures around us. Thanks for your initiatives.
Fr. John Klassen, may God be with you in all you do. Don’t forget you can also learn Spanish at the Abadía San Antonio Abad in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Best widshes with love from (José Dolores) Louis Cruz, a graduate of both San Antonio Abad’s middle School 1954 and St. Prep School in 1958.
May God bless you in your new work Fr. John!
Very nice article on a very nice person/monk! it was good to know what and how he is continuing in the loving service of God towards people.
A prayer for Father John:
Dios te salve, Maria.
Llena eres de gracia:
El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre:
Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios,
ruega por nosotros pecadores,
ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amén.
A visit down memory lane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8CWbBaluJU&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9 (President and Mrs. Kennedy In Mexico City 1962)