Four junior monks have renewed their vows for an additional year at Saint Vincent Archabbey, continuing the discernment profess. After spending a year as novices, monks make first, or simple vows, then spend an additional three years of discernment as junior monks prior to professing solemn vows, or vows for life.
The monks are from Vietnam, Towanda, Pennsylvania, Mexico and Park Hills, Kentucky.
Brother Irenaeus (Le Thien Minh) Nguyen, O.S.B., is from Vietnam, the son of Van Sinh Nguyen and Thi Hoa Thuy, Le, of Long Xuyen, An Giang, Vietnam. His sibling is Le Thien Tam Nguyen of Vietnam.
He graduated from Thoai Ngoc Hitu High School and completed undergraduate work at FPT University, Greenwich, United Kingdom, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science software. He received a high diploma in computer software from FPT-Aptech Academy in India.
Prior to coming to Saint Vincent, he attended the Seminary of the Cleveland Diocese, Saint Mary, on a non-degree basis. He is presently assigned as assistant to the Saint Vincent College Association Vice President for Information Technology.
Brother Kolbe (Stephen) Seibert, of Towanda, Pennsylvania, is the son of Lane and Marie Seibert. His siblings are Michael Seibert and Laura Seibert of Steubenville, Ohio; Claire Seibert of Chicago; Susanna Seibert of Towanda, Theresa (Seibert) Ivankovits, who is married to Andrew Ivankovits of Coplay, Pennsylvania.
He attended Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 2017 and a Master of Science degree in bioengineering in 2019. He presently serves as assistant to the building manager at the Archabbey, as well as assistant to the fire chief, and is a member of the Archabbey Schola while studying at Saint Vincent Seminary.
Salvador Isaac Garcia, now Brother Isaac, studied communication and journalism from the UNAM Acatlán Faculty of Higher Studies, graduating in 2011. He is a 2005 graduate of College of Sciences and Humanities, Naucalpan, Mexico. He is the son of Carmen Garcia Huitron of Naucalpan Centro, Mexico, and the late Salvador Garcia Sanchez. His siblings are Adriana Montserrat Garcia Garcia, and Pablo Jacob Garcia Garcia, both of Mexico City.
He was invested with the monastic habit on July 10, 2024 in the Archabbey Basilica by Archabbot Martin. He presently serves as sacristan and assistant master of ceremonies as well as an assistant at Archabbey Studios, while taking classes at Saint Vincent Seminary.
Abraham Reeder of Park Hills, who is now Brother Abraham, attended Thomas More College and Franciscan University, from which he graduated in 2024 with a degree in theology. His parents are Michael and Kelly Reeder.
He was invested with the monastic habit on July 10, 2024 in the Archabbey Basilica by Archabbot Martin. While taking classes at Saint Vincent Seminary, he is also serving as assistant miller at the Saint Vincent Gristmill and assistant to the guestmaster for vocation guests.
