Rt. Reverend Philip A. Berning, O.S.B., Fifth Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey, died peacefully at home at St. Gregory's on Saturday, November 17, 2007, sustained by prayer and strengthened by the sacraments of the Church.

Father Philip was born Anthony Bernard Berning on June 8, 1915, in Ashton, Iowa, to Joseph and Elizabeth Haverkamp Berning.

He had four brothers and five sisters, all now deceased.

After grade school in Ashton, Father attended St. John's University Preparatory School, Collegeville, Minnesota, and college at Trinity College, Sioux City, Iowa, for two years. He entered the novitiate of St. Gregory's Abbey in 1935, receiving the name of Philip. He made his simple monastic profession at St. Gregory's on July 11, 1936, and solemn monastic profession on July 11, 1939. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kansas, in 1938. Upon completion of theological studies at St. John's Seminary, Collegeville, Minnesota, Father Philip was ordained to the priesthood at St. John's on June 7, 1942, at which time he returned to St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee. He received an honorary LL.D. from St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1956. Father Philip was elected Coadjutor Abbot to Abbot Mark Braun on March 12, 1953, and received the abbatial blessing from Bishop Eugene McGuinness on May 6, 1953. He succeeded Abbot Mark on the latter's death on April 2, 1954.

Father Philip led the community as Abbot for the next sixteen years, through the times of the Second Vatican Council, until he resigned on February 16, 1970. During his tenure, St. Gregory's experienced great growth. The monks built a new monastery building as many young men entered the community. The community assessed its ministries and made the decision to close St. Gregory's High School and place increased emphasis on St. Gregory's College. During that period, many of the present buildings on campus were constructed. The college administration building, Benedictine Hall, was completely reconstructed. Bernard Murphy Hall, housing the student and monastery food service, Duperou-Degrasse and Mark Braun residence halls, the Commons, and the aquatic center were all completed during his term as Abbot. Before he was elected Abbot, Father Philip served in several positions in the monastery, including as procurator, director of scholastics, and novice master. He served as Prefect of Discipline for St. Gregory's High SSchool, where he also taught religion, history and typing.

His pastoral assignments included two terms as pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Ada, Oklahoma, and many years as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church in McLoud, Oklahoma. After his tenure as abbot, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Chandler, Oklahoma.

In his later years he served as porter and procurator at St. Gregory's Abbey.

He was a positive example to all in his gentility, humility, quiet service and devotion to prayer. He greeted all with a shy smile and welcoming eyes. He remained a faithful witness of monastic observance and ministry for seventy-one years and bore the increasing effects of Alzheimer's disease with great faith and patience.

Father Philip is survived by the Monks of St. Gregory's Abbey, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

The monastic community is grateful for the assistance of the staff of Mays Hospice of Shawnee, the St. Gregory's Abbey Health Care Staff, and many friends, who helped make it possible for Fr. Philip to remain at his monastery home during the final years of his life.

Visitation will be at Walker Funeral Service in Shawnee from 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2007 until 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 19.

Father Philip's body will be received at St. Gregory's Abbey at noon on Monday, November 19, where it will lie in state until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20.

Vigil for the Deceased will be prayed at St. Gregory's Abbey Church at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 19.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gregory's Abbey for Father Philip at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, followed by burial in the St. Gregory's Abbey Cemetery.