of Subiaco, AR

December 9, 1947 - July 11, 2021

Brother Andrew Suarez, OSB, age 73, monk of Subiaco Abbey died at the Abbey on the morning of July 11, 2021.

Louis Suarez was born December 9, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Seg and Hortense Hardee Suarez. He is survived by one brother, John Suarez and sister-in-law, Lee Suarez of St. Louis, Missouri. Louis Suarez received his elementary education via home-schooling. The family moved to East St. Louis, where Louis attended Assumption High School, receiving his secondary diploma with the Class of 1965.

Following his high school graduation, Louis, along with his brother, worked for their father;s company Suarez & Sons, which dealt in electrical maintenance. Louis assisted in the company;s clerical work. Louis spent fifteen years before his entry into religious life working for the Stewart Home School of Frankfurt, Kentucky. He also assisted in the family business operation when called upon. At Stewart Home School, Louis took courses of study for his personal enrichment (rather than a degree), and served as a House Parent to students attending the school. It was during this time that Louis began experiencing the beginning of a call to the religious life. As Brother Andrew recalled: "I talked with my spiritual director about being attracted to the religious life. He told me to pray about this and over time, we both felt that God was leading me in this direction."

After further discernment, Louis became attracted to the Benedictine community at Corpus Christi Abbey in Corpus Christi, Texas: "I enjoyed my visits to Corpus Christi Abbey, and felt I could live a life of prayer, and service to the community there."

Louis Suarez entered the novitiate in 1988, and made his first profession of vows as a monk of Corpus Christi Abbey on January 6, 1989, receiving the name Andrew. Brother Andrew made his solemn profession of final vows as a monk of Corpus Christi Abbey on January 6, 1992. From the time he entered the novitiate, Brother Andrew worked as a custodian of housekeeping and assistant in the Abbey infirmary.

When Corpus Christi Abbey was closed in 2002, Brother Andrew transferred to Subiaco Abbey on June 4, 2002. Brother Andrew was approved by the Abbey Chapter and granted canonical status as a monk of Subiaco Abbey the following year.

Brother Andrew served in a variety of work assignments during his years as a monk at Subiaco, which included grounds, the refectory, assistant in the Abbey;s Publications Office, Abbey laundry, house custodian, and volunteering to assist in the Abbey infirmary. Because of ongoing problems with circulation in his legs, Brother Andrew moved into the Abbey Infirmary in the fall of 2010. He spent the remainder of his days performing housekeeping tasks and assisting in the infirmary when called upon.

Jovial, caring, hospitable, and "no-nonsense" are qualities that best describe Brother Andrew. In his spare time, Brother Andrew enjoyed welcoming guests to the monastery and giving tours. Many returning guests enjoyed visiting with and "catching up" with Brother Andrew.

May he rest in peace.

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