Diaconate Ordination

Congratulations to Br. Maximilian and Br. Jeremiah who were ordained to the Diaconate by the Most Reverend Lawrence E. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg, on Saturday, April 14, 2012. As Deacons, they will serve the Church as Ministers of the Word, of the Altar, and of Charity. Through their new duties, may they be recognized as disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who came to serve, not to be served.

Come & See

Saint Vincent Archabbey will host an Easter Triduum "Come and See" discernment weekend for single Catholic men ages 21-40 on April 5 - 7, 2012. A "Come and See" weekend is a no-strings-attached chance to spend time learning about the life of Benedictine Monks of St. Vincent Archabbey. Come pray with us, talk with our junior monks, meet our older brethren, and most of all listen for the voice of Christ who continually calls men to a life of work and prayer in service to the Catholic Church. For more information about the weekend, life as a Benedictine monk, or to schedule another time to visit the Abbey please contact Fr. Bonaventure Curtis, OSB at 724-532-6655 or by email at: bonaventure.curtis@email.stvincent.edu

To read more on the Icon: www.comeandseeicons.com

The Importance of Silence

Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization

While the world continues to be immersed in a virtual dimension, Pope Benedict has called for striking a balance between silence, words, images, and sounds.

"By remaining silent, we allow the other person to speak, to express him or herself, and we avoid being tied simply to our own words and ideas without the being adequately testes," he said.

He noted that sometimes the most authentic communication takes place in utter silence, "between people who are in love: gestures, facial expressions and body language are signs by which they reveal themselves to each other."

Silence also allows for greater discernment about what is really worth listening to. And of course, it allows for prayer, contemplation and silent conversation with God.

To read more from the message of silence from the Holy Father:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20120124_46th-world-communications-day_en.html

St. Vincent Monks and Seminarians March For Life

On the Eve of the March for Life in Washington, the Monks and Seminarians from St. Vincent Archabbey joined Cardinal DiNardo and more than 20,000 pilgrims in celebrating the National Prayer Vigil for Life, held in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Vigil included Mass, Confessions, the Rosary, Byzantine Rite Compline, and Adoration.

After spending the night in prayer, the St. Vincent Monks and Seminarians united with the thousands of pro-life activists on January 23 to participate in the 39th annual March for Life. Despite being one of the largest annual protests in Washington, it has largely been ignored by the mainstream media.

"A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer." - Pope John Paul II

For more information about the March for life visit: http://www.marchforlife.org

New Year's Message from Pope Benedict XVI

In the shadow of a year that has been marked with frustration and anxiety, Pope Benedict invites us to look to the New Year with an attitude of confident trust. In his 1 January 2012, World Day of Peace message, Pope Benedict emphasizes the importance of education: "Educating Young People in Justice and Peace, in the conviction that the young, with their enthusiasm and idealism, can offer new hope to the world". This is a primary duty of society as a whole, for the sake of building a future of justice and peace: "Peace is not a blessing already attained, but rather a goal to which each and all of us must aspire. Let us look with greater hope to the future; let us encourage one another on our journey; let us work together to give our world a more humane and fraternal face; and let us feel a common responsibility towards present and future generations, especially in the task of training them to be people of peace and builders of peace."

For the complete New Year's Message from Pope Benedict:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/peace/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20111208_xlv-world-day-peace_en.html