Father Germain L. Lieb, O.S.B., died Sunday, April 30, 2006. He was born on July 2, 1919 in Carrolltown, Pa., a son of the late Augustine and Clara (Williams) Lieb.
Surviving is a brother, Paul Lieb of Carrolltown and numerous nieces and nephews. Father Germain was predeceased by seven brothers including Arthur, Gerald, Charles, Alfred, Edgar, David and Robert, and four sisters including Blanche Hipps, Pauline Lieb, Ellen Lieb and Gertrude Smith.
Father Germain attended Saint Benedict Grade School, Carrolltown, and was a 1937 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1942, and a master of arts degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1943. He also received a licentiate in medieval studies from the Institute of Medieval Studies, Toronto, Canada, in 1948.
He entered the Benedictine monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1939. He made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1940, and made solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1943. He was ordained a priest in Toronto, Canada by the late Ildebrando Antoniutti, Apostolic Delegate to Canada, on May 26, 1945.
Father Germain served the monastic community in a variety of positions. He was prefect of Saint Vincent Scholasticate (1940-1943); bookstore manager for Saint Vincent College, Seminary, and Preparatory School (1943); vice rector of Saint Vincent Seminary (1949-1950); novice master for the monastic community (1950-1959); director of the Scholasticate (1960-1963); master of brothers for the monastic community (1963-1965); chaplain for Saint Vincent College (1967-1968); pastor of Saint Bede Church, Bovard, (1968-1970); pastor of Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica (1970-1976); administrator of Immaculate Conception Church, New Germany (1976-1981); pastor of Saint Bruno Church, South Greensburg (1981-1982); pastor of Saint George and Saint Lawrence Churches, Patton (1982-1987); parochial vicar of Saint John Parish, Summerhill in charge of Immaculate Conception Parish, New Germany (1987-1989) and pastor of Saint John Church, Summerhill and of Immaculate Conception Church, New Germany (1989-1992). In 1989 he was named Professor Emeritus of Dogmatic Theology of Saint Vincent Seminary. He served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patton (1992-1995); was in residence at St. Bernard Parish, Hastings (1995-1997), and was director of the Porter’s Office at Saint Vincent Archabbey. He also curated the Archabbey Stamp collection.
In 2003 he was named an Alumnus of Distinction of Saint Vincent Preparatory School.
Visitation will be held in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center on Monday, May 1 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm; Tuesday, May 2 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. The body will be translated to the Basilica at 7:15pm Tuesday followed by a Wake Service.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held celebrated on May 3, 2006, in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica at 11:00am, followed by interment in the Saint Vincent Benedictine Community Cemetery.
