User:Liberalartist/Chrysogonus Waddell

Fr. Chrysogonus Waddell OCSO (March 1, 1930 – November 23, 2008), born Thomas Waddell, was a Trappist monk and scholar. He is best known for his work on critical editions of twelfth-century Cistercian documents, particularly liturgy and music. He also made significant contributions to the study of Abelard and Héloïse, especially their musical work and the documents of Héloïse's community of nuns at the Paraclete.

Possible Image (PERMISSION NEEDED)

= Early Life & Education =

Waddell was born on March 1, 1930 to an American soldier serving in the Philippines. He was given the name "Thomas" at birth.

Waddell studied music composition under Vincent Persichetti at the Philadelphia Conservatory.

Raised in the Episcopal church, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1949. On August 2, 1950, Waddell became a novice in the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (better known as the Trappists) and entered Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, where he was a confrère of Thomas Merton. Waddell took his solemn vows at the abbey on November 1, 1955, whereupon he adopted "Chrysogonus" as his name in religion. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1958.

In 1962, Waddell began a doctoral degree at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome.

= Work =

Compositions
Waddell was first trained as a composer, and he produced an appreciable output of original sacred music (in addition to his musicological output). Some of his work reflects his years serving as choir-master of his abbey, as well as an artistic association with the Notre Dame Folk Choir. Waddell's music was published by World Library Publications. Of note among the various recordings that include his music is the all-Waddell album Christ Is Risen, Truly Risen!: Easter Chants and Anthems by the William Ferris Chorale. Waddell's musical oeuvre is stylistically eclectic, including both very simple, plainchant-influenced works as well pieces employing the harmonic language of contemporary classical music.

= Death =

On May 19, 2007, Waddell presented "his last great work, the edition of the so-called Stephan Breviary of about 1131" in the chapter house of Wettingen Abbey, a thirteenth-century Cistercian monastery in Switzerland which was converted to secular use in 1841. Shortly thereafter he suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered. [n.b. IMPROVE THIS SECTION!]

Waddell died during mass on November 23, 2008 — the Feast of Christ the King — at Gethsemani Abbey. He was buried two days later in the monastary cemetery.

=Notes=

=References=





















= See Also =
 * Cistercian Rite
 * Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
 * Oratory of the Paraclete
 * Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani

= External Links =
 * Official website of Gethsemani Abbey, Waddell's monastery, which has periodically included content related to him
 * Homepage of Waddell's Cistercian Liturgy Series Originally published by Gethsemani Abbey and Cistercian Publications, the series of critical editions with scholarly commentary has been digitized and made freely available by the Center for Cistercian and Monastic Studies of the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University.
 * List of published and/or recorded compositions by Waddell from his publisher, World Library Publications