Jay Kythe

Fr. Jay Kythe, OSB, is a monk at St. Benedict's Abbey. He currently serves as the Abbey Novice Master and Postulant Director, Retreat Master, and Master of Ceremonies for liturgies. He also serves as Sacramental Minister at Maur Hill - Mount Academy in Atchison, KS. He was born in New Orleans, LA to immigrants from India. He converted to the Catholic faith from Hinduism in 1990, while studying computer science and mathematics at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. His new-found faith encouraged him to study for a Master's Degree in Philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, where he discerned a deeper call to priesthood and religious life. Heeding an invitation from a friend, he studied for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and for the Companions of Christ, a diocesan priestly fraternity. Ordained in 2002, he served as associate pastor and pastor for four different parishes over a period of 11 years, during which time he discerned a deeper calling to monastic life. He joined St. Benedict's Abbey in 2013 and professed his solemn vows in 2017. He is a very happy priest-monk, and looks forward to serving the Lord in Atchison, KS for the rest of his life.