Three monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, were ordained by Most Rev. Larry J. Kulick, Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, on May 24, 2025, two to the presbyterate (priesthood) and one to the diaconate. They are from Jacksonville, Alabama and East Stroudsburg and Grove City in Pennsylvania.
FATHER ROMANUS DAVITT, O.S.B.
Father Romanus Davitt, O.S.B., is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in Jacksonville. A son of the late Lawrence Davitt and the late Pamela Jean Clements-Chaney, he has a sister, Anne Davitt Harvey of Jacksonville. He studied at Wallace State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Belmont Abbey College in 2020.
Father Romanus began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2021 as a monk from Saint Bernard Abbey, Cullman, Alabama. At Saint Bernard, he made simple profession of vows on August 15, 2017, and solemn profession on August 6, 2020. In 2023, he transferred his vows to Saint Vincent Archabbey. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Kulick on May 26, 2024.
Before entering religious life, Brother Romanus served in the U.S. Army from January 1995 to August of 1997, worked as a board-certified drug and alcohol addiction counselor from 2010 to 2014 and was an automotive production supervisor from 2014 to 2016.
His job assignments at the Archabbey include assisting in the summer retreat program.
FATHER GILBERT HEATER, O.S.B.
Father Gilbert (Kagan) Heater, O.S.B., studied at Lancaster Bible College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music composition in 2009. He also studied at Liberty University. He received the Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies degree, summa cum laude, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2021.
A convert to Catholicisim, he is the son of Richard W. and Diane O. Heater of East Stroudsburg. He has three brothers, Nathaniel, Jered and Zephan.
He entered the Benedictine monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey as a novice on July 1, 2017. He professed simple vows on July 10, 2018 and made solemn profession of monastic vows on July 11, 2021. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Kulick on May 26, 2024. He served at Saint Vincent Basilica Parish during his deacon year.
His job assignments at the Archabbey include serving as socius of novices and postulants (2018-present), sacristan (2018-2024) and assistant master of ceremonies (2018-present) for the monastic community. He served as assistant in the monastery vocation office (2021-2024) and in 2024 was named to the Archabbey Formation Committee.
BROTHER FRANCISCO WHITTAKER, O.S.B.
Brother Francisco (Samuel James) Whittaker, O.S.B., is the son of Daniel and Kathleen Whittaker of Grove City. He has two brothers, Thomas and Nathaniel, and a sister, Sarah.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry in 2019 from Saint Vincent College, magna cum laude, and after graduation became a novice at Saint Vincent Archabbey in July of that year. He professed simple vows on July 10, 2020, and began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary, from which he earned the Master of Arts degree in Catholic philosophical studies, summa cum laude, in 2022. He professed solemn vows as a monk on July 11, 2023.
His appointments at Saint Vincent Archabbey have included serving as assistant miller, Saint Vincent Gristmill (2020-2021) and assistant director of campus ministry (2020-present). He was assistant manager of the Gristmill General Store (2020-2021). In 2021 he was appointed as an assistant to the director of vocations.
Brother Francisco is the co-host of a podcast called All Good in the Brotherhood, which he hosts with brother, Nathaniel.
For additional photos of the event, visit this link.
To view the livestream broadcast, visit this link.
