Homily for Father Theodore Howarth, O.S.B.
Sat. May 31, 2003
Abbot Melvin J. Valvano, O.S.B.
One of our earliest memories of Theodore and for me the
central insight into who he most was, is seeing Theodore sitting
before the Blessed Sacrament, very early every morning, praying
the Rosary quite some time before the monastic community
assembled to pray the Divine Office together. Today happens
to be a Feast of the Blessed Mother, her Visitation. Father
Theodore was professed a Benedictine monk on the Feast of the
Assumption of Mary, August 15, 1944 and ordained priest on the
Feast of the Birth of Mary, September 8,1949.
Frank and Claire Horwath brought into the world, Down Neck in
Newark, N.J. 12 other children besides Joseph, Father Theodore:
Frank, George, John who died in 1927, Robert, Richard, Thomas and
Catherine, Theresa, Marie, Claire, Rose Marie, and Barbara Ann. I
am emphasizing the family because clearly in all ways it
characterized and energized Theodore's monastic family life here
on M.L. King Boulevard: he served us; he was absolutely committed
to High Street and all it stands for, and would do anything a
brother or superior asked him to do--- only occasionally seeming
to grumble. He genuinely loved to be and do for others. I wish I
had known his Father, Frank and his Mother Claire and tasted her
delicious apple strudel!
"Joe"'s father died only a few weeks after he
graduated from St. Benedict's Prep in June of 1941 and then for
all practical purposes young Joe/Theodore left the family and
began his college education and monastic and priestly formation
finally returning from Delbarton to teach here in 1952 as a
young, bright, single-minded and devout priest and monk. He
continued faithfully and very competently doing that for the next
50 years, adding along the way, at different times, the major
responsibilities of athletic director, prior, administrator of
the Abbey, treasurer and chief confessor for many of his
brothers. His last 19 or so years as weekend assistant at
St.Joseph's in East Millstone and the love and esteem in which he
was held there pretty much sums up the entire story of his
special service representing Jesus Christ for the people of God,
especially at the Eucharistic banquet and at the myriad baptisms
and marriages of relatives and close friends. He was a monk for
nearly 60 years and 54 years a priest. He absolutely loved the
Mass and each of his brother monks. One could tell that.
Theodore was in a way uncomplicated, seeming to be a shy man
but transparent---a properly private person but never secretive.
You knew what he liked. You always know who he was. You learned
what he disliked often by listening to an occasional stage
whisper comment, perhaps about some dish served in the refectory
or some obviously outlandish remark of a brother---and if one
didn't know the man you might be shocked. I'll not repeat one of
his favorite epithets. We all heard many times that a certain
dish or dessert wasn't the way my mother made it! Father Boniface
remembers how Theodore would man the kitchen on vacation--- much
appreciated by all!
Thinking now of the tender and devoted relationship Teddy
maintained with his dear Mom, and the reverence he felt for all
women, makes me understand how and why Father Theodore could
unabashedly, and so openly, have great and lasting friendships
with all kinds of women, especially young girls. How can anyone
forget the times he would spend hours helping the children of St.
Mary's grammar school---loving every minute of it and they
lavishing trusting affection on Father Teddy. Or the times after
school tutoring Benedict's men. There is where one glimpses who
this man is---deep inside. He taught the community much right
there, didn't he?
Theodore was undemonstrative but never aloof or disinterested.
He was absolutely trusted in his own person for his right
thinking and acting---unfailingly. These traits of his spirit
only grew as he accompanied us on our journey. He was extremely
sensitive to a confrere's struggles. One could only guess the
personal challenges and private struggles that most forged his
own life with himself and God---Jesus. Although he was in the
finest sense self-reliant and independent, these strengths were
for the benefit of the monastic family, for its up-building. A
wonderful lesson for us his brother monks.
Theodore enjoyed good things in exquisite and Christian
moderation. He loved to listen to the opera on Saturday
afternoons, he enjoyed one very small scotch perhaps once a week,
or once a month, he looked forward to a half of a grapefruit at
breakfast---each and every morning, he loved football, he liked
to do the N.Y. Times puzzle if he had time, and he read the
Readers' Digest and Sports Illustrated and of course, every day,
religiously, he took up his Bible and other spiritual reading,
preparing well for Sunday's homily. He made his own his novice
master's opening words to him--- the then nineteen-year-old
novice---one day in early August 1943 in Atchison, Kansas. Father
Florian Demmer opened the retreat for novices and said:
"Justus ut palma florebit---the Just man shall flourish like
a palm tree." He grew each day of his life; his freedom and
his strong will conjoined with Christ's sacred heart and will. No
time better exemplifies his oneness with Christ than during these
last painful and precarious months of continuous suffering. Yes,
Theodore is with God and also here among us in the communion of
saints, still praying with us, still faithful to his family, his
beloved community and the kids and people of Newark and St.
Benedict's Prep. The just man is flourishing like a palm tree. I
have already given him a list to pray for! Amen