John Klassen to step down as abbot, election to come
Klassen, a Johnnie alumni, has served as the abbot for St. John's Abbey since 2000. Klassen's time as abbot included the facilitation of projects like the construction of the Abbey Guesthouse, among others. An election for a new abbot will be held in January of 2024.
After serving for 23 years, Abbot John Klassen will be officially stepping down from his role on Jan. 7, 2024. Klassen, being 75, is required to step down as abbot due to the age limit placed on the position. Klassen was elected in 2000 as the 10th abbot of St. John’s Abbey. As abbot, Klassen presides at all formal functions and liturgies of the monastery, takes counsel from his senior monks when making significant decisions, presides at all meetings when the monastic community assembles and serves as the spiritual father of the community. He is the immediate superior to the oldest members of the monastery.
At St. John’s, the abbot is also the head of the Liturgical Press and St. John’s Preparatory School. Klassen grew up on a farm near St. John’s in Elrosa, Minn. He attended St. John’s Preparatory School and St. John’s University. After entering St. John’s Abbey, he obtained his Master of Divinity from St. John’s University School of Theology and Seminary, making him a three-time Johnnie.
“That’s a rare breed, and he has this unique vision of what it means to be a Johnnie or a Bennie,” Rev. Nick Kleepsie said. “Much of his leadership has revolved around ensuring that students have a very high-quality education here at CSB+SJU.”
Klassen later obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Catholic University of America to go on to teach chemistry. He served as department chairman at CSB+SJU before being elected abbot. Klassen has seen things come and go during his time here and has taken the leadership challenges with stride.
“There are some things I did over the years enough times that they’re very routine. You can have a lot of confidence and know what you’re doing, and still, the challenges of leadership are always [a] tough, rapidly changing environment,” Klassen said.
From being a leader in the everyday functions of the monastery as well as taking part in larger projects, Klassen has been deeply involved with CSB+SJU.
“One of the things I’m really, really pleased to have been a part of, with the help of many wonderful friends, is the construction and bringing of the Abbey Guest House. It is a jewel and an extension of Benedictine hospitality,” he said.
As well as the construction of the Guest House, Klassen expressed his fondness for bringing two institutions together, maintaining a solid relationship between the abbey and the university, the abbey woodshop and the Benedictine Volunteer Corp.
Klassen has always had a strong connection with the student body and brings his leadership into the campuses through them.
“What I always see is his willingness to work with students. He is not some locked away hidden figure. He is always open to being with us, and he addresses the current issues going on,” SJU senior Wes Kirchner said.
Klassen’s character has left those who have gotten to know him with fond memories that will continue flourishing even as he steps down from his role. His impact as a leader of the monastic and campus community can be seen through what others share about him.
“For me, I just appreciate that he is a man who is a thoughtful, personable spiritual guide. I think his way of being a pastor to the monks is very much how many of us model our own lives and our own words, how we care for the people that we ministered to as chaplains. Part of how I minister as a chaplain is due to his modeling of how to be a good pastor,” Kleepsie said.
Klassen said he will miss parts of his role but will be continuously grateful for all he accomplished and got to experience during his time as abbot.
“I think I will miss being in the loop. My voice counts uniquely, and I’ll miss that, but that’s fine. I’m OK with it,” he said.
Klassen will remain abbot until a new election occurs on Jan. 8. He said he steps down from his position with the hope that the CSB+SJU community stays strong and healthy.
“I believe that in our church, in the monastic life, there is something unique and very special…and St. John’s has been blessed with the ability to do some pretty amazing things. It has blessed me,” he said.
