of Subiaco, AR
April 21, 1922 - December 20, 2011
Father Hilary Filiatreau, O.S.B., age 89, monk of Subiaco Abbey, died peacefully in his room in the monastic health center on December 20, 2011. He was born April 21, 1922, to Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Filiatreau in Mechanicsburg, Indiana. He was christened James Edward.
James attended grades one through ten at Saint Joseph School in Elwood, Indiana. His junior and senior years of schooling were at Saint Meinrad Minor Seminary, Saint Meinrad, Indiana, where he graduated with the class of 1943. From 1943-45 he attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. It was there that he received a package from a friend, which was partially wrapped in a copy of the jubilee issue of the Abbey Message dated March 1941. The paper aroused his interest, which resulted in his coming to Subiaco Abbey on August 16, 1943. James Filiatreau professed his vows as a monk of Subiaco Abbey on September 21, 1943, receiving the name Hilary. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1949, at Subiaco Abbey by Bishop Albert L. Fletcher of the Diocese of Little Rock.
Father Hilary's friendly disposition and ready wit won the affection of his fellow clerics. Following ordination, he was assigned as chaplain in Subiaco Academy from 1950-55. During this time he also began a lifelong pastoral ministry in the Subiaco deanery where he served in six Arkansas parishes. Known as ''an ambassador of the joy of the Lord,'' Father Hilary worked in various apostolates at the abbey including Director of Oblates and assistant Director of Oblates and assistant Director of Hospitality.
From 1953-59, and again from 1989-90, he was pastor of Saint Benedict Parish in Subiaco. From 1959-75 he was pastor of two parishes: Saint Ignatius and Saints Peter and Paul in Scranton and Morrison Bluff, respectively. A third parish, Saint Meinrad in Prairie View, was assigned to his pastorate from 1965-75. From 1975-84 he was assigned as pastor of Saint Boniface Parish in Fort Smith. Father Hilary was then recalled to the abbey to become guestmaster, director of retreats, and manager of Coury House. He served in this capacity from 1984-90. It was in 1990 that he received his final pastorate, namely Saint Mary Church in Altus, Arkansas, where he spent 21 years before retiring to the abbey in June 2011. During his time as pastor there the congregation undertook a gigantic renovation project restoring the church's interior to its pristine beauty of the early 1900s. From its priceless murals to its hand-done woodwork, the renovated church bespeaks a work of art created for the greater honor and glory of God and edification of the faithful. He celebrated his golden jubilee of priesthood in 1999, and his diamond jubilee of monastic profession in 2004.
Father Hilary was well loved by the faithful in each of the parishes where he served. Always optimistic, humorous and smiling he ministered to the spiritual as well as the temporal needs of his parishioners.
During the final six months of his life, Fr. Hilary was an active member of the community, concelebrating at the daily conventual Mass and taking his meals in the monastic refectory.
He is survived by his niece Dr. Mary C. Breden; nephews, Dr. J. Leo Brueggeman and David Filiatreau and sister-in-law Mrs. Conroy Filiatreau.
The wake service will be Thursday, Dec. 22, 7:00 p.m. at St. Benedict Church, and the funeral mass will be Friday, Dec. 23 at 10:00 a.m. under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.
May he rest in peace!
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15 Condolence(s)
Matthew and Andrea Brown
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Father Hilary baptized me when I was just a baby and married my husband and me New Year's Eve 2009. He has a very special place in my heart!! The last time I saw Father Hilary was this past summer and it happened to be his last Mass at St. Mary's in Altus. I had the opportunity to share with him the news of my pregnancy of my first child and he blessed me and my baby. :) He was a true servant of the Lord and will be missed.
Harry and Cherry Anderson
Saturday, December 31, 2011
We remember Father as a good and dedicated priest with a very good sense of humor. He did a lot for us; We were one of the first people he married when arriving at St. Bonniface Parish in Ft. Smith. H e also teached me about the Catholic Faith and then a few months later baptized and confirmed me into the Catholic Faith. He also baptized 3 0f my Children and Married my oldest daughter this very day 2 years ago at St. Mary's in Altus. Thank you Father Hilary for all the good times and all that you have done for us. Keep us in your prayers!!JMJ
John & Sheila Donohue
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thank you Father for all your work in helping make our marriage a reality. We
are so grateful for your patience, dedication and kindness. It will never be forgotten.
You will always be in our prayers.
Shaffer Family and Staff
Friday, December 23, 2011
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Father Hilary. We really enjoyed getting to work with him for twenty one years.
Charles & Jane Bieker
Thursday, December 22, 2011
You were such a good man. Remember us as we will remember you in our prayers.
J Williams
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Of the hundreds of Pastors\Ministers that I dealt with, you dear old friend was one of the most very best. This is solid truth from an old Methodist artist. You are missed, R I P
Robert and Andrea McKenzie
Thursday, December 22, 2011
To a good man and great priest. You will be missed. Thank you for your friendship through the years.
Bill Karabinus
Thursday, December 22, 2011
I knew Fr. Hilary for many years and he was indeed the finest man I have ever known. In 2005 father changed my life by showing me my errors in thinking about forgiveness of self. I will be forever grateful.
All my prayers to Hr. Hilary's family and to all the men at Subiaco Abbey.
John & Kelly Harris
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Fr. Hilary was what we considered our "family" priest. He married Kelly's Mom & Dad, baptized her Mom into the Church, baptized Kelly and her brother & sister, married us, married Kelly's sister & brother-in-law, baptized our daughters and baptized our oldest grandson. We had to follow him to do it, St. Peter & Paul in Morrisons Bluff, St. Boniface in Fort Smith, The Abbey at Subiaco and St. Mary's in Altus.
We will continue to love him as part of our family, he was a wonderful person to be around, ALWAYS bringing a smile to my face. Yet, the wisdom and courage to be frank and honest about the Catholic faith.
We, as so many others, will miss him dearly.
May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless his soul. We will meet again in glory.
Tony Stone
Thursday, December 22, 2011
He was one man I can say inspired me to be a better indivuial.
Father Hilary will be greatly missed in this world. It is a better place to be with him having graced us with his life.
Clint Smith
Thursday, December 22, 2011
He was a great Pastor. I didn't get a chance to spend much time gettting to know him. But what little time was there, I could tell he was a quality person.
Ronnie & Millissia Jones
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
To the family. I was raised in Prairie View, Ar and was not a catholic; but, my best friend was and I attended church at Scranton with her so much I like everyone else came to love Father Hillary. My husband I were married and June 17, 1965 and on month later, Father Hilary sent us a happy Anniversary card for one month of marriage.
I was lucky enough to go with St. Joseph school to visit the Altus church. He was so proud of all the work that had been done on the church. He was telling the kids (all pre schoolers) about some of the things and he had the remote to the candle they had made to go up on the alter and you could bring it down to change it. well, he started moving that candle and the kids didn't see him do it and they became very scared. He told them it was magic and that God was always watching what we were doing and he could move us just like he did the candle. Whenever I would run into him at different functions, he always knew my name and was very friendly!!! He will be missed by all! Treasurer his memories!
Bob McMillan
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Fr. Hilary was such a huge impact on me as I grew up going to school at St. Boniface. Such fond memories of such a kind soul!
Sheri Yocum Fuhrman
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Fr. Hilary was our priest at St. Boniface while I was in grade school. I remember vividly the day he got the call that he was to be reassigned to another parish. He was very upset. He was such a kind and gentle man with a most wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed.
Charles R. Fox
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Fr. Hilary was a great man. He taught me in school, he married my wife and I, he buried both my parents and baptised my youngest son. I have many fond memories of him. May he Rest in Peace.
Charles & Eleanor Fox