Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D., Bishop of Greensburg, will ordain Brother Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, to the priesthood at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 7 in the Archabbey Basilica.

Brother Maximilian Maxwell, O.S.B., of Philadelphia is the son of the late Robert Luke and Susan Maxwell. He is the youngest of four siblings, Susan, Catherine, Mary, and Robert.

He is a 1992 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.

Prior to entering the monastery he worked for the Boy Scouts of America with the Cradle of Liberty Council, formerly the Philadelphia Council. During the school year, he worked in the BSA program Learning for Life, working in inner city schools, and during the summer, served as a Director of C.O.P.E. and High Adventure as well as Program Commissioner at Treasure Island Scout Reservation, the oldest Boy Scout camp in the United States. Brother Maximilian then took his camping experience into the private sector, working as a senior camp director for ESF (Education Sports and Fun) Summer Camps. After working for the camp industry, Brother Maximilian worked for corporate security for Mellon Bank at the Mellon Bank building in Center City, Philadelphia. Along with being director of Corporate Security Operations, he also worked for Kelly and Partners as an account manager for several law firms in Philadelphia.

Brother Maximilian was a parishioner of Saint Andrew The Apostle Parish, before moving to Saint Vincent.

He entered the novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey in July, 2007 and professed simple vows the following year. He began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2008. On July 11, 2011, he made solemn profession of monastic vows. He was ordained to the diaconate on April 14, 2012 by Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, J.C.D., Ph.D., Bishop of Greensburg. He will be ordained to the priesthood on December 7, 2013 by Bishop Brandt.

From 2008-2009 he served as assistant campus minister for athletics. In 2008 he was named assistant director of Archabbey guests and facilities. In 2009 he was named an assistant in the Archabbot’s Office.

Brother Maximilian enjoys running, and has participated in Pittsburgh’s half marathon in 2010 and 2011.