To Follow Christ: Brothers Isaac and Abraham
Meet the two men who recently completed their novice year at Saint Vincent Archabbey, Brothers Isaac Garcia and Abraham Reeder. Their vocation stories are very different, but both are faith-filled. For more information on the call to religious life at Saint Vincent Archabbey visit www.stvincentmonks.com.
Father Peter Augustine Pierjok, O.S.B.
Father Peter Augustine Pierjok, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Thursday, September 25, 2025 in the monastery infirmary after a long bout with cancer. He was the son of the late Harry A. Pierjok, Sr., and Emma L. Pierjok. Born February 22, 1947, in his grandparents’ home in Nashville, Illinois, he grew up […]
To Follow Christ: Boniface Hicks’ Vocation Story
Father Boniface Hicks was a student at Penn State University and considered himself a non-believer. A series of circumstances led him to convert to Catholicism and become a monk at Saint Vincent Archabbey. Here is his story.
To Follow Christ: Kolbe Seibert’s Vocation Story
Kolbe (Stephen) Seibert was pursuing an entirely different career path; however, there was a nagging feeling that he should be doing something different. He knew that, and received counsel from some wise priests and vocation directors, and even had a tie—from birth—with Father Killian Loch, O.S.B., of Saint Vincent Archabbey. Then, the pieces all fell […]
To Follow Christ: José Rosa, O.S.B.
José Rosa first came to Saint Vincent to visit Pittsburgh Steelers’ Training Camp. He had no interest in attending Saint Vincent College and the thought of becoming a monk at the Archabbey was even further from his mind. However, he did attend Saint Vincent College, and found the monastic community through an invitation to prayer. […]
Father Thomas More Sikora New Campus Ministry Director
Father Thomas More Sikora, O.S.B., S’91, has been named director of Campus Ministry at Saint Vincent College. “We are delighted to welcome Father Thomas More as the new director of Campus Ministry at Saint Vincent College,” remarked Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, president of the College. “His commitment to our Benedictine values along with […]
Father Maximilian Maxwell New Prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey
Father Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., of Philadelphia, has been named Prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey. As Prior, he has a major administrative role in one of the largest monasteries in the world, with more than 150 monks. He comes to the role after serving as director of Campus Ministry for Saint Vincent College for the past […]
Four To Profess Solemn Vows
Four monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey will profess solemn vows, or vows for life before Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., on Friday, July 11 at 4 p.m. at the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. They are from Lafayette, New Jersey; Odenton, Maryland; Windsor, New York and Columbus, Ohio. BROTHER FINNBAR McEVOY, O.S.B. Brother Finnbar McEvoy, […]
Brother Edward V. Grinder, O.S.B.
Brother Edward V. Grinder, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Born in Akron, Ohio on December 8, 1 944, he was the son of the late Edward J. and Geraldine (McGuckin) Grinder. His sister, Mary Beth, is deceased. He attended Saint Paul’s Grade School in Akron, and was a […]
Two Monks To Profess First Vows
Two men who have spent a year of discernment as novices at Saint Vincent Archabbey will make their first (or simple) profession of monastic vows at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 10 before Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., in the Archabbey Basilica. In order to become solemnly professed, they will spend three years discerning as […]
Brother Edward V. Grinder, O.S.B.
Brother Edward V. Grinder, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Arrangements are incomplete and will be posted on the Archabbey’s website once details are finalized.
Three CMA Awards For Archabbey’s Publications
The Catholic Media Association (CMA), a Chicago-based organization of publishers and media professionals, recently concluded its annual conference, held this year in Phoenix, Arizona. Saint Vincent Archabbey’s magazine, Saint Vincent Monks, garnered two national awards, and a book written by Father Tom Acklin and produced by Archabbey Publications, also received an award. The 2025 awards […]
Saint Vincent Statement On The Passing Of Bishop Brandt
The Saint Vincent Archabbey, Seminary and College community learned of the untimely passing of retired Bishop Lawrence Brandt of the Diocese of Greensburg on Sunday, June 8, noting his many longstanding contributions to both the diocese and Saint Vincent. “We were saddened to learn of the passing of Bishop Brandt,” said Archabbot Martin de Porres […]
To Follow Christ: Roman Pallone’s Vocation Story
Roman Pallone was inspired in his faith by his grandmother. But he had some uncertainties. He went on to earn a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University. He had a career, a house, lots of possessions. At one point his life changed direction, and in that […]
Pope Leo XIV Appoints Saint Vincent Seminary Alumnus As 13th Bishop of Pittsburgh
The Holy See announced on June 4, 2025 that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop David A. Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 this past September, and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman as the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Bishop Eckman is a 1985 graduate of Saint […]
2025 Ordinations To Presbyterate, Diaconate
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 […]
To Follow Christ: Shawn Matthew Anderson’s Vocation Story
Shawn Matthew Anderson was working as a pharmacist at a hospital in State College after obtaining his degree from Duquesne University. He practiced his faith, but it was just part of his routine. One day, after receiving communion at Mass, his eyes fell on a prayer card and he felt a burning sensation in his […]
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 […]