Father Stanley Markiewicz, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died peacefully in the Archabbey infirmary on October 10, 2019, after a long period of illness at the age of 85. He was born September 18, 1934 in Latrobe, a son of the late Stanley and Elizabeth Markiewicz. He is survived by one sister, Carolyn, and her husband Robert, and one brother, Edward, and his wife Suzanne, along with nieces and nephews.
He attended Holy Family Parochial School, Latrobe, and is a 1952 graduate of Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1957 from Saint Vincent College. He studied theology at Saint Vincent Seminary, graduating in 1961.
He entered the novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1954, made simple profession of monastic vows on July 2, 1955 and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1958. He was ordained a priest on June 3, 1961, by the late Bishop William G. Connare of Greensburg.
He earned a master of arts degree in liturgy in 1964 from Notre Dame University. From 1964 to 1966 he studied in the Psychology Department at Duquesne University, with a practicum at Saint Vincent College and the Tri-County Clinic of Greensburg, and earned his state certification. He received graduate diplomas from Hebrew University, Ulpan Etzion, Jerusalem, following studies of the Hebrew language and culture and from Beit Ha Am Ulpan, Jerusalem, where he was in the advanced studies program for Hebrew and Biblical theology.
He served as a prefect at Saint Vincent College and Prep. He also taught for a number of years at colleges in Jerusalem and in Bethlehem in addition to serving at the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Jerusalem.
Father Stanley was a researcher for the Jerusalem Catholic Biblical Commission and a grant scholar to the American Archaeological Society, Amman, Jordan. In 1972, he participated in the “Study: The Qumran Copper Inventory Scrolls.”
He served as pastor and administrator of Christian Cemeteries of Israel for Saint Abraham’s Parish and Missions, Beersheva; Dimona, Eilat, Ofra, The Negev and administrator at Saint Peter Gallicantu Theological Renewal Program for Third World Religious and Missionaries upon his return from Israel. He served as parochial vicar at Saint Vincent Basilica and helped on a part-time basis with Archabbey Publications. In 2003, Father Stanley retired from active ministry. He has been assisted with his health care needs in the monastery infirmary since his retirement.
The body of Father Stanley will be received at 3 p.m. Monday, October 14, at the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center at Saint Vincent followed by viewing through 5 p.m. Viewing will continue from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, prior to a vigil service in the Archabbey Basilica at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 16 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 Rd., Latrobe, PA 15650.
