Vocation Team Monks

Br. Benedict Leuthner, OSB, made his monastic profession in 1987.  He serves as the Vocation Director, and previously, he was the CFO/treasurer for Saint John’s Abbey. As a hobby, Br. Benedict enjoys planting and caring for trees on the Saint John’s Abbey/University campus.

Fr. Nick Kleespie, OSB, was born and raised in west central Minnesota and entered the abbey in 2010. After graduating from Saint John’s University in 2006, Nick served with the Saint John’s Abbey Benedictine Volunteer Corps in Tanzania. In 2025, Fr. Nick earned a Doctorate in Ministry from Fordham University. Fr. Nick is the chaplain of Saint John’s University, lives as a faculty resident in a freshman residence hall and serves as a firefighter/EMT on the Saint John’s Fire Department.

Br. David Paul Lange, OSB, entered the monastery in February of 1986 after graduating from St. Olaf College.  After solemn vows, he went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree. He became an Associate Professor in the Art department at Saint John’s University, where he taught studio art and art history until 2019, when he entered the Saint John’s School of Theology to earn a Master of Arts in Ministry.  In addition to serving as a member of the Vocations Team and a Faculty Resident for Saint John's University, he enjoys creating art, singing, hiking, canoeing, and reading fiction.

Br. Jacob Berns, OSB, professed his first vows in 2018. He hails from Perham, MN, and came to Saint John’s University to study Music and Theology. After graduating, he went to Rome for a year of service in the Saint John’s Abbey Benedictine Volunteer Corps. He currently serves as an accountant in the Abbey Business Office and the Assistant Formation Director for the abbey. He enjoys playing organ, baking, and going for a walk on campus.

Br. Paul-Vincent Niebauer, OSB, joined the abbey in 1994 and currently serves as the Communications and Marketing Director. Before joining Saint John’s, he worked for 13 years as a ringmaster for several circuses traveling across North America. He possesses a bachelor’s in Theatre and Secondary Education and an MA in Directing. Since 1995, he has taught theatre and directed over 50 musicals and plays at Saint John’s Preparatory School as well as outside groups.

Fr. Michael Peterson, OSB, entered the novitiate on September 8, 1997, and currently serves as the Director of Oblates (lay men and women associated with the abbey), and as one of the organists for Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist. He also plays the Native American-style flute and loves to swim in Lake Sagatagan.

Father Lew Grobe, OSB made his first monastic profession in 2010.  He serves the monastic community as Director of Abbey Woodworking and Abbey Organ Builders.  Father Lew enjoys getting out into the Abbey Arboretum.