To Follow Christ: Romuald Duchene’s Vocation Story
Romuald Duchene has been all over the world. Logistics was his specialty in the military, and he continued in that vein when he took a job with the railroad in North Dakota. He had even been to Saint Vincent Archabbey, spending three years in discernment. He left to take some additional time to discern, and […]
Vocation Office Come and See July 9, 10, 11
If you have been enjoying our vocation videos and are interested or know someone who may be interested in learning more about monastic life at Saint Vincent Archabbey, the next “Come and See” event will be July 9, 10 and 11 in conjunction with vows. There will be vocation guests on campus this week who […]
To Follow Christ: Archabbot Martin’s Vocation Story
Martin Bartel was working at a large accounting firm, but knew he had an interest in religious life. His large family prayed the rosary nightly. He took inspiration from their faith, and the faith of his older sister, who became a Dominican. But he hadn’t found his “place.” His pastor had never been to Saint […]
To Follow Christ: Albert Gahr’s Vocation Story
Albert Gahr was working with the U.S.D.A. in Morgantown, West Virginia, having just completed his doctoral work, when his pastor, in a homily at Mass, told parishioners to pray for the seven men in the parish who had a vocation. “That’s nice,” Albert thought, and was surprised when, a few days later, his pastor told […]
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV
“Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary offer congratulations and prayerful best wishes to Pope Leo XIV. He continues a long line of consecrated religious to serve as the Vicar of Christ,” said Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B. “May God bless him with wisdom, strength and courage to shepherd our Church for many years.” As the […]
To Follow Christ: Ignatius Camello’s Vocation Story
Ignatius Camello was working as an intensive care unit nurse in Los Angeles when he went on a retreat in Philadelphia with a friend. They were driving back west on Route 30 when they spied the steeples of the Archabbey Basilica and were drawn to stop. He was drawn to Saint Vincent, and is now […]
To Follow Christ: Maxmilian Maxwell’s Vocation Story
The Saint Vincent Archabbey Vocation Office and the Archabbey Communications Office has teamed up with the Pittsburgh video production company Ox Productions to launch a new series of vocation videos—To Follow Christ—featuring monks of the Archabbey. Life at the monastery, its challenges, its blessings, as well as the call to religious life are among the […]
To Follow Christ: Michael Antonacci’s Vocation Story
The Saint Vincent Archabbey Vocation Office and the Archabbey Communications Office has teamed up with the Pittsburgh video production company Ox Productions to launch a new series of vocation videos—To Follow Christ—featuring monks of the Archabbey. Life at the monastery, its challenges, its blessings, as well as the call to religious life are among the […]
Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis
Pope Francis, often called the Pope of surprises, drew our attention one last time again as he visually preached his last homily by his Triduum activities despite his infirmity and his passing during the Octave of Easter. He now knows the reality of the empty tomb as he experienced the Risen Christ on his return […]
Five Weekend Retreats At The Archabbey
Five Archabbey retreats are being offered on campus in 2025. June 6-8, 2025 Gardening like a Benedictine: The role of the garden in Scripture, The Rule, and in the “domestic church” • Dr. Lucas Briola Retreat Description: The Benedictine monk was once described as “the first intellectual to get dirt under his fingernails.” In a […]
Spiritual Wellness Series Begins This Month
The Saint Vincent Archabbey Retreat Program’s third annual Spiritual Wellness one-day retreats begins this month. The lineup of presenters includes Dr. Catherine Petrany, associate professor of theology at Saint Vincent College, April 26; Father Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., director of spiritual formation at Saint Vincent Seminary and director of the Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation, July […]
72,000-Piece Mosaic Installed In Time For Solemnity
Brother Mark Floreanini, O.S.B., one of Saint Vincent Archabbey’s resident artist monks, and Associate Professor of Art at Saint Vincent College, has completed and installed a 12-foot high by 9-foot wide mosaic of the Annunciation, a project that has taken fifteen years to finish. The mosaic, comprised of 30 panels (six rows and five columns) […]
Kansas Priest, College President To Be Feast Day Celebrant, Homilist
Monsignor Stuart W. Swetland, S.T.D., president of Donnelly College, Kansas City, will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass for the Solemnity of the Passing of Our Holy Father Benedict at Saint Vincent. The Mass will take place at 4 p.m. Friday, March 21 in the Archabbey Basilica. Monsignor Swetland is a Catholic […]
Monk Named College Alumni Director
Saint Vincent College has named Father Dominic Sylvester Leo, O.S.B., S’19, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, as the director of alumni relations for the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations. “We’re excited to have a member of the Benedictine community step into this important role,” said Albert J. Novak Jr., C’81, senior vice president […]
Two New Books Just In Time For Lent
Works by two Saint Vincent Benedictine monks have been published recently by Archabbey Publications. The Passion of the Lamb: God’s Love Poured Out in Jesus by Father Thomas Acklin, O.S.B., was previously published by Servant Books, an imprint of Saint Anthony Messenger Press, and has now been republished. Brother Bruno Heisey, O.S.B., has published a […]
Brother Hilary Hanrahan, O.S.B.
Brother Hilary (David) Hanrahan, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Saturday, January 18, 2025. He was born December 31, 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a son of the late Bernice (Licari) Hanrahan and the late David Hanrahan. Surviving are his sisters, Colleen Hanrahan of Grand Rapids and Katherine James of Dorr, Michigan. Brother […]
Father Boniface Hicks Has New Book
Father Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., has a new book, published by Sophia Institute Press, The Hidden Power of Silence in the Mass: A Guide for Encountering Christ in the Liturgy. It is his fifth book and was released in April. Father Boniface serves as director of spiritual formation for Saint Vincent Seminary as well as director […]
Retreat Office Offering Two European Pilgrimages For 2025
The Archabbey Retreat Program will again offer two European pilgrimages for 2025, both in May. Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B., procurator of the Archabbey and professor in the Education Department at Saint Vincent College, will lead a pilgrimage to Ireland to follow in the “Footsteps of Saint Patrick.” Father Killian Loch, O.S.B., prior of the Archabbey, […]
Skidaway Island History Book Details Work of Benedictines
A book about the Benedictine mission on Skidaway Island by Laura Seifert is now available. Entitled Faith in Education at the Skidaway Island Benedictine Mission, it examines the complexities of Catholic education for freed African Americans in the Deep South and how the Benedictines, in 1877, built a mission and boarding school for them. The […]
Hastings Food Pantry Reaches 9 Million Pound Mark
Now approaching its sixth anniversary in its location at 139 Huber Street, Hastings, the Saint Bernard Food Pantry has reached another milestone: more than nine million pounds of food distributed. Father Thaddeus Rettger, O.S.B., (photo above, at left) and a group of volunteers established the pantry to serve the northern Cambria County area. The present […]
