The story of Dom Dositheus

Dom Dositheus: Prior of the Abbey of Saint Sixtus of West-Vleteren, born in Hoepertingen. His real name was Henricus Kempeneers (21/11/1795- 04/02/1872). Father Alfons, current archivist of the Abbey, gave me a short description of his life and a picture.

The life of Dom Dositheus

26-11-1795 born in Hoepertingen, near St Truiden, as the son of William (Guillaume) Kempeneers and Catharina Van Straelen
in 1801-1802 he moves with his family to Sint-Truiden, where they live at nr1 beguinery
12-09-1819 Receives the novices dress at the priory of Westmalle
17-03-1822 takes the cloth at the priory of Westmalle
He becomes novices master meaning he has to look after the new monks who enter the convent. It was a very important function.
30-09-1835 Is being sent to Rome with several others, with an important but impossible mission.
25-05-1836 Return to the abbey of Westmalle. Whilst in Rome they achieved that the priory of Westmalle is promoted to Abbey and the abbot is appointed head of all Belgian Trappist congregations
10-11-1836 is being sent to Saint Sixtus priory of West-Vleteren to become the prior
1843 He gets into a state of crisis: he absolutely wants to be a Capuchin monk (grey friar), the abbot of the abbey of Westmalle won't let him go.
1847 He no longer wants the title and job of prior but again the abbot of Westmalle won't let go. Dom Dositheus keeps on playing an important role in the convent.
10-07-1856 A new prior has to be elected, and although he is no candidate the other monks elect him again as prior.
04-04-1871 The Priory of Saint Sixtus is promoted to Abbey. His job as prior therefore ends.
14-06-1871 When an abbot has again to be elected, Dom Dositheus receives a lot of votes but he declares he will never accept the seat of abbot. He also announces that he will not live a lot longer.
04-02-1872 He dies less then 8 months later.