Six men completed their novitiate at Saint Vincent Archabbey and made first profession of vows as Benedictine monks on July 10. The novitiate is a year of prayer and study designed to assist them in discerning their vocation as monks. Following their first vows, the monks remain as junior monks for three years before making solemn profession, or vows for life.

Professing simple vows were Brother Bruno Daniel Heisey, O.S.B., of Mechanicsburg; Brother Maurus Mount, O.S.B., of Indialantic, Florida; Brother Benoit Alloggia, O.S.B., of Noiseau, France; Brother Barnabus Anderson, O.S.B., of Clearfield, Brother Michael Miller, O.S.B., of Allison Park and Brother Stephen Patrizio, O.S.B., of Pittsburgh.

Also at the same vespers ceremony, two junior monks renewed their vows for the first time, Brother Dominic J. Shipsky, O.S.B., of Poland, Ohio, and Brother Gregory Montagna, O.S.B., of Cardale.

BROTHER BRUNO DANIEL HEISEY, O.S.B.

Brother Bruno Daniel Heisey, O.S.B., is the son of Jacob L. and Ina H. Heisey of Mechanicsburg. He is a 1984 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in Latin and history from Dickinson College in 1988. He has a brother, Bradford, of Carlisle.

BROTHER MAURUS MOUNT, O.S.B.

Brother Maurus Mount, O.S.B., is the son of Frank E. and Alina M. Mount of Indialantic, Florida. He is a 1996 graduate of Melbourne High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree in classical languages from Marquette University in 2000. His brother is Michael C. Mount of Indialantic.

BROTHER BENOIT ALLOGGIA, O.S.B.

Brother Benoit Alloggia, O.S.B., is the son of Dante Alloggia and Margueritte Rabette of Noiseau, France. He is a 1986 graduate of St. Jean Baptiste de le Salle High School in France. He earned a degree in philosophy from St. Thomas Pontifical University in Rome in 1991 and a degree in nursing in 1995 from the school of nursing in Rieti, Italy. His siblings are Pierre of Paris, France; Samuel of Jamaica; Sebastien of Paris; Jean Baptiste of Noiseau, France, and Claire of Paris.

BROTHER BARNABAS ANDERSON, O.S.B.

Brother Barnabas Anderson, O.S.B., is the son of James C. and Colleen L. Anderson of Clearfield. He is a 1987 graduate of Clearfield Area High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy from Duquesne University in 1992 and has studied philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. His sister is Mary Anderson of Portland, Maine.

BROTHER MICHAEL MILLER, O.S.B.

Brother Michael Miller is the son of Donald and Jo-Anne Miller of Allison Park. He is a 1979 graduate of Shaler Area High School, Glenshaw. He studied at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1985 from Don Bosco College, Newton, New Jersey. He taught elementary school at St. Joseph Regional School in Newton, before entering the monastery. His sisters are Jean Lowden of McKees Rocks and Nancy Miller of Allison Park. His brother is John Miller of Shepherdsville, Kentucky.

BROTHER STEPHEN PATRIZIO, O.S.B.

Brother Stephen J. Patrizio is the son of Pat and Roberta Patrizio of Pittsburgh. He is a 1994 graduate of Plum Senior High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in human development and family studies from Penn State University in 1999, and has done graduate work in theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. His brother is Nicholas A. Patrizio of Highlands, New Jersey.

BROTHER DOMINIC J. SHIPSKY, O.S.B.

Brother Dominic J. Shipsky, O.S.B., is the son of Ruth Jane Shipsky of Poland, Ohio and the late John C. Shipsky. He is one of seven children, including Jack, Paul and Bob Shipsky of Poland; Marilyn Jones of Jax, Florida; Bill Shipsky of Struthers, Ohio and Sue Shipsky of Atlanta, Georgia.

A 1984 graduate of Poland High School, he attended Poland Union Grade School. In 2001 he was named assistant master of ceremonies/sacristan at the Archabbey, assistant director of vocations, and miller at the Saint Vincent Gristmill.

BR. GREGORY MONTAGNA, O.S.B.

Br. Gregory D. Montagna, O.S.B., is the son of Dr. David and Mrs. Grace Montagna of Cardale, Pennsylvania. He is a 1987 graduate of Brownsville Area High School. In 1991 he earned a bachelor of arts degree in politics and philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh. He attended Saint Vincent Seminary from 1993 to 1995 and from 1999 to 2000. He earned a master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2000, and the master of arts degree from the seminary in 2002.

In 2001 he was appointed assistant guestmaster in the A srchabbey, assistant director of vocations, and an assistant in the summer retreat program.