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 years. He has previously held a variety of other roles, including assistant campus minister for athletics, assistant director of Archabbey guests and facilities, associate director and later director of vocations, assistant director of campus ministry, master of ceremonies, associate director of sacristies, and assistant to the archabbot. In 2020, he served as subprior at Benedictine Priory, Savannah Georgia, and was on the faculty of Benedictine Military School, Savannah. In 2022 he was appointed director of sacristies and master of ceremonies, in addition to his role in Campus Ministry. In 2024, he was named advisor for mission to the Saint Vincent College president.
“I am honored to be names Prior of our monastic community,” Father Maximilian said. “As I step into this new role, I also share that my time as Director of Campus Ministry at Saint Vincent College has come to a close. These past four years have been filled with grace, growth, and unforgettable moments of faith shared with students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni. To everyone who have been part of Campus Ministry thank you. Thank you for your prayers, your laughter, your witness, and your trust. I am very confident in Father Thomas More Sikora as he becomes the next Director of Campus ministry, with his many gifts and talents combined with the experience and talents of the staff in campus ministry many great programs and opportunities of faith formation and fellowship will continue.”
Father Maximilian has been a member of the monastic community for nearly two decades. He entered the novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey in July, 2007 and professed simple vows the following year. On July 11, 2011, he made solemn profession of monastic vows. He was ordained to the diaconate on April 14, 2012, and to the priesthood on December 7, 2013, by Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg, in the Archabbey Basilica.
He is a graduate of West Philadelphia Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and religious studies from Saint Vincent College in 2007. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2014.
