Marmion abbot to leave after 18 years

The Right Rev. Vincent Bataille will retire June 25 after 18 years as abbot of Marmion Abbey in Aurora and president of Marmion Academy.

Citing personal reasons, Bataille said he reached the point in his career where one thinks it is time for someone else to take over.

"I will move along to something different, and after celebrating my 70th birthday, an important event in my lifetime, I have reached a roadmark indicating me to put my hands into other challenges. That's what I intend to do," he said.

Bataille joined the Marmion community in 1958, and was ordained into the abbey seven years later. Since June 1965, he has served a number of roles for the Marmion Academy, including dorm prefect, dean of students, yearbook moderator, choral director and French, algebra and theology teacher.

Bataille was named the fourth abbot of the Marmion Abbey and president of Marmion Academy in 1991.

He highlighted his 18-year career at Marmion and two years spent in Guatemala from 1989 to 1991 as some of his fondest achievements.

"My involvement in the academy has always been important, certainly as a member with my brothers. It kind of makes a very interesting tapestry of life, and I look forward to many more years," Bataille said.

John K. Milroy, headmaster for Marmion Academy, first met Bataille when he was 14 and a student there.

"As an instructor, he was always popular and well-liked. He was known particularly for his fairness, but also demanded excellence in the classroom and a lot of work from the students," he said.

"As a colleague and superior, I could not have asked for a better person. He is wonderful to work for, collaborative, and had a very strong vision for Marmion. It's a better school for having him," Milroy added.

Bataille said he plans to continue his service to Marmion, but will move to Mundelein next year to serve as the spiritual director for the University of St. Mary of the Lake, as well as furthering his own studies.

"That's the plan for the first year. After that, it's whatever the new abbot wants of me," he said.

"He has made a big difference to the Marmion students over the past 50 years, and has been an impact player in the life of the academy, its history, and will truly be missed," Milroy said.