MADISON — Capuchin Father Rupert Dorn was recently given the Sir Knight of the Madison Diocese award through the Western District of Wisconsin Fourth Degree Staff Knights of Columbus.
The award was presented by Western Master Jacob Grzywacz at a Recognition Dinner held at the Knights of Columbus Club House in Madison.
Fr. Rupert Dorn was born on his family’s farm in 1924 near Waunakee, graduated from St Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary, and joined the Capuchin Order in 1944.
He was ordained a priest in 1951. His ministries have included teacher, parish pastor, local minister of a Capuchin community, and provincial minister. He was the pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Mount Calvary from 1973 to 1984. People in the community still speak very highly of his work during those years.
Father Dorn spent many years at St. Bonaventure Friary in Detroit as provincial secretary, local minister, and provincial councilor and went on to serve as provincial minister of the Province of St. Joseph from 1967 to 1973. He led the friars in the most difficult years of religious and cultural change after the Second Vatican Council. His calm and fraternal demeanor did much to carry the friars through those days.
Father Rupert is presently actively retired at San Damiano Friary in Madison, helping with daily and weekend Masses at several parishes in the Madison diocese each week.
He has been the chaplain for the Bishop William O’Connor Assembly 1200 of the Knights of Columbus since 2004 and also for St. Joseph Council 4586 serving Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Dennis Parishes since 1998.
He is a very active chaplain. He attends all meetings, offers an inspirational message and encouragement at each meeting, and provides individual counsel and advice as needed. He offers a Mass for each member when the member dies.
Father Rupert continues to keep family connections in nearby Waunakee. At his recent 65th jubilee he said, “My primary and strongest emotion on this occasion of my 65th jubilee is simply the most intense thanksgiving — one immense thank you for all the care shown me!”
Capuchin life emphasizes prayer, ministry, and a life shared in community with other friars. Prayer is the cornerstone of Capuchin community life, drawing each friar into a closer relationship with God and a closer relationship with his brothers in community.
Morning and Evening Prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist are staples of Capuchin community prayer. Capuchin Franciscans live in community, supporting each other and developing bonds of brotherly love.
Capuchins give priority in their ministries to the two loves of St. Francis’ life: serving the poor and preaching the Gospel. Friars can be found working in central city ministry, in retreat centers, in peace and justice work, in impoverished rural areas, in domestic and overseas missions, in environmental issues, in classrooms, in parishes.