Br. Michael Gabler, O.S.B., and Br. Fernando Lanas, O.S.B., made their first profession of monastic vows on July 10, 2003 before Saint Vincent Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., and members of the Benedictine monastic community.

They completed their novitiate, a year of prayer and study designed to assist them in discerning their vocation as Benedictine monks. The novitiate is followed by a minimum three-year period of simple profession which provides an opportunity for continued discernment prior to solemn or final profession of monastic vows. Seven junior monks also renewed their vows for an additional year.

BROTHER MICHAEL J. GABLER

Brother Michael J. Gabler is the son of Michael F. and Margaret A. Gabler of St. Marys. He attended St. Marys parochial school and is a 1985 graduate of Elk County Catholic High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in M.I.S. from Penn State University in 1989. He has two sisters, Lori A. Lingenfelter of Ridgway, Melanie A. Meyer of St. Marys, and a brother, Sean, of St. Marys.

BROTHER FERNANDO P. LANAS

Brother Fernando P. Lanas is the son of Fernando and Guadalupe Lanas of Quito, Ecuador. He attended Colegio Frances elementary school in Quito and is a 1989 graduate of Colegio Benalcazar in Quito. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in finance and management from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in 1997. His sisters are Elisa and Vanessa Lanas of Quito.

Renewing their vows for another year were junior monks Brother Bruno D. 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 Shawn Anderson, O.S.B., of Clearfield; Brother Stephen Patrizio, O.S.B., of Pittsburgh; Brother Dominic J. Shipsky, O.S.B., of Poland, Ohio, and Brother Gregory Montagna, O.S.B., of Cardale.

BROTHER BRUNO D. HEISEY, O.S.B.

Brother Brunois 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 B. MOUNT, O.S.B.

Brother Maurus 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 is the son of Dante and Margueritte Alloggia 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 SHAWN ANDERSON, O.S.B.

Brother Barnabas 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 STEPHEN J. PATRIZIO, O.S.B.

Brother Stephen 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 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 is the son of Dr. David and Mrs. Grace Montagna of Cardale. 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 Archabbey, assistant director of vocations, and an assistant in the summer retreat program.