Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Awards
Publications
Generic

Br. Francis De Sales Wagner, OSB

St. Meinrad

Summary

Benedictine monk and seasoned writer/editor with more than 30 years of combined experience in writing and editing, pastoral ministry, and monastic administration. Former newspaper journalist and accomplished author with published books, articles, and pastoral resources. Additional background in teaching, retreat ministry, and public speaking.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Benedictine Monk

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, IN
09.2006 - Current
  • Invested as novice in January 2007; professed temporary vows in January 2008; professed solemn vows in January 2011.

Spiritual Director

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, Indiana, USA
10.2011 - Current
  • Provide spiritual accompaniment rooted in Benedictine tradition for about 25 directees

Secretary to the Archabbot

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, Indiana, USA
01.2015 - 10.2025

Secretary to Abbot’s Council

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, Indiana, USA
11.2019 - 10.2025

Secretary to Monastic Chapter

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, Indiana, USA
11.2019 - 10.2025

Secretary to Board of Trustees

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
St. Meinrad, Indiana, USA
10.2015 - 10.2025

Conference Presenter, Benedictine Oblates

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
Saint Meinrad, IN
02.2008 - 05.2020
  • Created engaging presentations to enhance understanding of Benedictine spirituality among Oblate chapters affiliated with Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Other Pastoral Roles

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
Saint Meinrad, IN
02.2008 - Current
  • Retreats, conferences, and presentations to various groups, including: “Sowing and Harvesting Hope,” Diocese of Owensboro staff retreat (2025-07-29), “St. Francis de Sales: A Model for Journalists and Catholic Media,” Catholic Media Association webinar (2026-02-26)

Teaching and Educational Service

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
St. Meinrad, IN
03.2011 - Current
  • Occasional course presenter in Seminary: Together in One Place, January interterm, Intensive Spiritual Formation Week

Wire Editor

The Blade
Toledo, Ohio, USA
04.1999 - 08.2006
  • Managed national/international wire content; edited stories; wrote headlines; assisted with page layout including Page 1.

Copy Editor

Springfield News-Sun
Springfield, Ohio, USA
08.1996 - 04.1999

Editor

The Galion Inquirer
Galion, Ohio, USA
03.1995 - 08.1996

News Editor

The Galion Inquirer
Galion, Ohio, USA
10.1991 - 03.1995

Staff Writer

The Galion Inquirer
Galion, Ohio, USA
09.1989 - 10.1991

Education

Graduate Certificate - Spiritual Direction

Saint Meinrad School of Theology
St. Meinrad, Indiana
01-2016

M.A. - Pastoral Theology

Saint Meinrad School of Theology
St. Meinrad, Indiana
01-2012

B.S. - Journalism

Bowling Green State University
01-1988

Skills

  • Spiritual direction/formation
  • Writing and editing
  • Public speaking
  • Document preparation
  • Microsoft office
  • Office administration
  • Organization

Certification

  • Certified Spiritual Director - 2016-Present

Interests

  • Spirituality
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Baseball (Cincinnati Reds)
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Animals

Timeline

Secretary to Abbot’s Council

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
11.2019 - 10.2025

Secretary to Monastic Chapter

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
11.2019 - 10.2025

Secretary to Board of Trustees

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
10.2015 - 10.2025

Secretary to the Archabbot

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
01.2015 - 10.2025

Spiritual Director

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
10.2011 - Current

Teaching and Educational Service

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
03.2011 - Current

Conference Presenter, Benedictine Oblates

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
02.2008 - 05.2020

Other Pastoral Roles

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
02.2008 - Current

Benedictine Monk

Saint Meinrad Archabbey
09.2006 - Current

Wire Editor

The Blade
04.1999 - 08.2006

Copy Editor

Springfield News-Sun
08.1996 - 04.1999

Editor

The Galion Inquirer
03.1995 - 08.1996

News Editor

The Galion Inquirer
10.1991 - 03.1995

Staff Writer

The Galion Inquirer
09.1989 - 10.1991

M.A. - Pastoral Theology

Saint Meinrad School of Theology

B.S. - Journalism

Bowling Green State University

Graduate Certificate - Spiritual Direction

Saint Meinrad School of Theology

Awards

  • 2nd place, Best Essay, Catholic Press Association, 2010-01-01
  • Multiple Ohio Associated Press awards for breaking news, feature and column writing, and page layout during newspaper career, 1989-01-01/2006-01-01

Publications

  • Grace in the Wilderness, 2013-01-01, The Way to Eternal Life, 2012-01-01, Sacred Rhythms, Editor, 2011-01-01, Thirsting for God, Editor, 2011-01-01, Why Do I Worry?, 2014-01-01, When You’re Feeling Spiritually Empty, 2007-01-01, Tomorrow’s Saints, St. Anthony Messenger, 2016-01-01, Punctuating Our Days, America, 2015-01-01, Stillness in Prayer, Spiritual Life, 2012-01-01, Buried Treasure: Unearthing the Faithful Imagination through Journaling and Creative Writing, Catholic Imagination: Saint Meinrad Studies in Pastoral Ministry, No. 2, 2012-01-01, Mary, Our Lady of Silence, The Priest, 2010-01-01, Monks Build Community One Living Stone Upon Another, VISION, 2009-01-01, Various titles in Catholic Perspectives CareNotes and Notes from a Monastery series published through Abbey Press, 2008-01-01/2013-01-01, Multiple contributions for publications produced by Saint Meinrad Oblate Office, including current “Living the Rule” column for Oblate Voice magazine., Homily Helps, Franciscan Media, 2022-01-01/2023-01-01, Author of long-running spiritual blogs: The Yoke of Christ (2008-01-01/2011-01-01), The Path of Life (2011-01-01/2025-01-01), Monkly Musings (2025-01-01/Present)
Br. Francis De Sales Wagner, OSB