Father Luke Policicchio, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Sunday, December 29, 2019. He was born in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania on October 13, 1941, a son of Carmine Policicchio of Vandergrift and the late Mary (Gallo) Policicchio. His brothers are Frank (Christina) Policicchio of Monaca and James (Kathy) Policicchio of Vandergrift.
He attended Saint Gertrude Elementary School and is a 1959 graduate of Vandergrift High School. He operated his own hairstyling business for more than 20 years prior to entering the monastery. He received a bachelor of arts degree in liberal arts from Saint Vincent College in 1983 and a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1987.
Father Luke made his simple profession of monastic vows July 10, 1983 and his solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1987 at Saint Vincent Archabbey. He was ordained a deacon on July 25, 1987, and priest on May 28, 1988 at Saint Vincent by Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of Greensburg.
Following his ordination, Father Luke served as parochial vicar at Saint Gregory the Great Parish, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He then was assigned to serve as pastor of Saint Bartholomew Parish Crabtree. He returned to Saint Gregory the Great as a parochial vicar in 2003, serving there until 2010, when he returned to the Archabbey.
He served as assistant director of the Archabbey Tailor Shop from 2010-2013. From 2013-2015 he assisted in the Archabbey Infirmary and served as assistant manager of the Gristmill General Store.
The body of Father Luke will be received at 1 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, at the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center at Saint Vincent, followed by viewing through 5 p.m. Visitation will continue from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 1, prior to a vigil service in the Archabbey Basilica at 7:15 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 2, in the Archabbey Basilica. Interment service will follow in the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum Chapel at Saint Vincent Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650.
