Rupert Seidenbusch

Rupert Seidenbusch (October 13, 1830 – June 3, 1895) was a German prelate of the Catholic Church. A Benedictine monk, he served as the first abbot of Saint John's Abbey (1866-1875) and the first Vicar Apostolic of Northern Minnesota (1875-1888).

Biography Early life and ministry Seidenbusch was born on October 13, 1830, in Munich and received his early education there before entering the diocesan seminary in Freising, where he pursued classical and philosophical studies. Volunteering for missionary work in the United States, he traveled with fellow Bavarian Francis Xavier Krautbauer and arrived in October 1850. He then entered the Benedictine community at Saint Vincent Abbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, making his solemn vows on January 6, 1852. He was director of Saint Vincent College during the 1852-53 school year while still a theological student. Returning to Pennsylvania, he was elected prior of Saint Vincent Abbey in 1862.

Abbot On December 12, 1866, Seidenbusch was elected the first abbot of the Abbey of St. Louis on the Lake (later known as Saint John's Abbey) in Collegeville, Minnesota. The abbey had been established as a priory by his fellow monks from Saint Vincent Abbey in Pennsylvania at the behest of Bishop Joseph Crétin to minister to the German immigrants in central Minnesota. His election was confirmed by Pope Pius IX on March 15, 1867, and he was formally inducted into office on the following May 30 by Bishop George Aloysius Carrell.

During his nine years at the abbey, Seidenbusch oversaw the construction of a chapel, saw and flour mills, barns for livestock, and a woodworking shop. He performed his first priestly ordinations at Saint John's College the following August. He was buried in the cemetery of Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville.