After spending a year of discernment as novices, four men—from Latrobe, Bethel Park, Mechanicsburg and Volant—professed simple, or first vows as Benedictine monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey on July 10 before Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B. They will continue discernment for three more years as junior monks, working in various roles in the Archabbey, College and Seminary, and, if desired, continuing their studies.
Brother Casimir (Adam) Stynchula, O.S.B., is from Latrobe, the son of Edward and Karen Stynchula. His siblings are Benjamin Walsh of Latrobe and Alicia White, married to Jay White, of Virginia Beach.
A 2012 graduate of Greater Latrobe Senior High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in cinema and religious studies from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. He was a member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) 487 Local Union between 2021 and 2025 and co-founded Catholicpalooza, a music festival (2023-2024).
He entered the Saint Vincent monastic community as a novice on July 10, 2025, and made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2026. Following his simple profession, Brother Casimir received a number of assignments, including assistant to the chief advancement officer of the Archabbey and Seminary, assistant master of ceremonies, assistant to the director of vocations and member of the Archabbey schola.
Brother Christian Michael Riley, O.S.B., is from Bethel Park, the son of Mark and Jodie Riley. He has three siblings, Joshua N. Riley, Mark K. Riley Jr., and Brianna D. Riley, all of Pittsburgh.
He is a 2012 graduate of Bethel Park Senior High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 2016. In 2022 he received the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
He entered the monastic community of Saint Vincent Archabbey as a novice on July 10, 2025, and made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2026. Following his simple profession, Brother Christian received a number of assignments, including sacristan and assistant master of ceremonies, as well as assistant to the director of vocations.
Father Gabriel (Andrew) St. Hilaire, O.S.B., of Mechanicsburg, was a priest in the Diocese of Harrisburg prior to discerning a call to monastic life at Saint Vincent Archabbey. The son of Gary D. and Sylvie F. St. Hilaire of Mechanicsburg, his siblings are Amanda St. Hilaire (Steve Parse), Cedarburg, Wisconsin; Michael St. Hilaire (Regina), Woodbridge, Virginia; Patrick St. Hilaire (Bri), Camp Hill; Thomas St. Hilaire (Allie), Ardmore; and Paul St. Hilaire, Camp Hill.
He is a 2010 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Catholic University of America, majoring in philosophy, in 2014. He attended Mount Saint Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned the Master of Divinity degree, Master of Arts in Systematic Theology, and the Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree, through the Dominican House of Studies.
He was ordained to the diaconate on May 19, 2018 by Most Rev. Ronald Gainer in Saint Patrick Cathedral, Harrisburg. Bishop Gainer ordained him to the priesthood on June 1, 2019.
He entered the Saint Vincent monastic community as a novice on July 10, 2025, and made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2026. Following his first vows, Father Gabriel was assigned as assistant director of Campus Ministry at Saint Vincent College as well as assistant master of ceremonies for the Archabbey.
Brother James Michael Manzer, O.S.B., of Volant, is the son of Gregory and Patricia Manzer of Midlothian, Virginia. He has one brother, Justin, also of Midlothian.
He is a 2017 graduate of Osbourn Park High School, then earned an Associate of Natural Sciences degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2019. In 2021 he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical engineering from Gannon University.
He entered the Saint Vincent monastic community as a novice on July 10, 2025, and made simple profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2026. Following his profession of vows, Brother James was assigned as assistant to the director of the monastery Infirmary.
You can watch the full video of Simple Vows here.
