Father Jonathan Murrman, OSB, 1926-2020

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Father Jonathan J. Murrman, O.S.B., 94, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died on Monday, November 2, 2020. He was a son of the late Edward and Pauline (Monahan) Murrman. Father Jonathan was born in Jeannette, Pennsylvania on May 12, 1926. Surviving are his sister,  Mrs. Marguerite Altman of New Castle, Pennsylvania; and his brother, Father Warren Murrman, O.S.B., who is also a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey. He was predeceased by his brother William.  

He attended Sacred Heart Grade School, Jeannette, Pennsylvania, and was a 1944 graduate of Jeannette High School. He attended Saint Vincent College and received a bachelor of arts degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. He received his theological training at Saint Vincent Seminary. 

Father Jonathan entered the Benedictine monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1958. He made simple profession of vows on September 2, 1959, and solemn profession of vows on September 2, 1962. He was ordained a priest in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica by the late Bishop William G. Connare of Greensburg, on May 22, 1965. 

Before entering the monastic community, Father Jonathan served in the United States Army, with duties in Germany. His pastoral ministry included being assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Patton, Pennsylvania (1965–1976); and at Sacred Heart Church, St. Marys, Pennsylvania, (1976–1977). During the past 40 years of ministry he provided pastoral assistance on weekends at parishes in the Greensburg and Pittsburgh dioceses.  

He was a coordinator and carpenter in the Maintenance Department at Saint Vincent Archabbey, College, and Seminary since 1977. 

The body of Father Jonathan will be received at 2 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2020  at the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center at Saint Vincent, followed by viewing through 5 p.m.  A vigil service will be held in the Archabbey Basilica at 7:30 p.m. Friday.  

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020,  in the Archabbey Basilica with Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., presiding. Interment service will follow in the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel at Saint Vincent Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.Â