Fr. Peter Hammett

Father Peter Hammett, born Edward Hall Hammett, a monk of Saint Joseph Abbey, died September 11, 2026 at the age of 81 years. A native of New Orleans, born to parents William Hammett and Martha Monrose Hammett. His brother William (Billy) Hammett, and one nephew, Patrick Hammett. He attended high school at Saint Joseph Seminary and De La Salle High School. He graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Saint Joseph Seminary College then continued on, earning both Bachelor and Master degrees from Notre Dame Seminary.

He entered the novitiate at Saint Joseph Abbey and made profession in 1968. He was ordained in 1972. After ordination he began a teaching and administrative career including manager of operations and director of presentations of Benet Hall at Saint Joseph Seminary College until 2002. During the same period, he served as Pastor of Saint Benedict Parish from 1982 to 1987. Among his other accomplishments Father Peter was founder and manager of the Abbey gift shop and the Director of Mexico pastoral experience.

Further pastoral responsibilities included Associate Pastor at Saint Anselm in Madisonville (2002), Pastor of Holy Family in Franklinton (2003-2017), and Administrator of Saint John the Baptist in Folsom (2007-2008). During this time, he also served as a member of the Clergy Council of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Returning to the Monastery, he was appointed Archivist and Director of the Monastic Library. He continued to offer pastoral assistance to Northshore parishes and at the Carmelite Nuns of Covington, the Marianites of Holy Cross, and Christwood Retirement Community. For the last few years of his life, he was deeply involved at the Abbey Retreat House. 

He was an avid reader, especially in the field of contemporary theology, and wrote several books. He was faithful to the monastic way of life and an outspoken defender of monastic values. He was careful with his diet and faithful to a routine of exercise. During his last summer, he had knee replacement surgery and recovery from that surgery was very hard on him. After a generally healthy life, he quickly suffered multiple afflictions. He was hospitalized and died within a week. He was the senior of our community.

On Tuesday, September 15, Vespers for the reception of Fr. Peter's body will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. The public is welcome.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 16, at 11:15 a.m. in the Abbey Church, followed by a procession to the Abbey Cemetery, where Fr. Peter will be laid to rest.