Another Successful Year of Steelers Training Camp at St. Vincent College

Today marks the end of this year's Steelers Pre-Season Training Camp, an event the Monks of St. Vincent have been hosting since 1966.    

While the opening of the 48th annual Pittsburgh Steelers Summer Training Camp at Saint Vincent College gets extensive media

Steelers Practice Scrimage

attention in newspapers, radio and television and attracts tens of thousands of fans to the campus, their first visit to Saint Vincent College in 1966 started quietly.

A review of the Latrobe Bulletin archives revealed that the presence of Steelers at Saint Vincent in 1966 was secondary to reports about local baseball leagues and Arnold Palmer's appearance in the 48th annual PGA tournament.

The first public mention of the Steelers coming to Latrobe appeared in a story by Sports Editor Steve Kittey on July 5, 1966: “It seems summer has just reached us, but already all the National Football

Archabbey Basilica viewed from the Practice Fields

League teams are about set to open their training camps. For our pride and joy in the NFL, Pittsburgh, the moment of truth is fast approaching for it and new coach Bill Austin. This Friday, Austin will hold an early week of workouts for 51 players, most of whom are rookies. Next week, the entire squad will gather under the auspices of Austin’s watchful eye. Site of the training camp is the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. The final two weeks of the Steelers’ training camp will be held on the campus of Saint Vincent College."

To Read the full Article: http://www.stvincent.edu/newsDetail.aspx?id=2147488149

Fr. Paul Meets with Steelers Players

Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary

Mass Reading 1: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was with

child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.  Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth.  She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne.  The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.  

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One."

Reflection on the Reading

From the earliest days of the Church, "The woman clothed with the Sun" has been a clear reference to Mary, the Mother of God and "Queen of Heaven". "The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians" (966 CCC).

As seen by this reading from the book of Revelation, Mary's "Queenship" has its roots in Sacred Scripture.  In addition to this passage, Mary's Queenship can also be noticed in the Annunciation, when Gabriel announced that Mary's Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever.  How could a Son be King if His Mother was not a Queen?  Overall, Mary's Queenship is a share in Christ's Kingship.


For more on Mary’s Queenship: https://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1115

Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary

While Scripture reveals nothing about Mary’s death, St. John Damascene (d. 749) recorded a story reportedly shared at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD that Mary had died in the presence of the Apostles, but when the tomb was opened they found it empty, “wherefrom the Apostles concluded that they body was taken up to Heaven”.  From this testimony the Church has taught that Mary was assumed bodily and now tastes the Resurrection for which all Christians hope.    

To learn more about Marian Dogmas: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Four%20Marian%20Dogmas.htm

JUNIOR RIDGE RETREAT

On August 12, the Junior Monks will begin a week long Retreat on Chestnut Ridge.

Monastery Ridge House

Beginning in the mid 19th century, our founder, Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, utilized timber from monastery property on Chestnut Ridge in order to construct buildings on St.Vincent Campus. Similarly, in the 20th century, the monks continued to use the Ridge grounds; however, this time it was utilized more for the purposes of

Ridge Barn

farming.  Today, although it still functions as farm land, the natural peace and silence of the Ridge is used most effectively as a place of retreat where monks

Ridge Chapel

can simultaneously find time for prayer, leisure, and fraternity.        

More Photos of the Ridge:

Ridge Chapel

Chapel, Chapel Entrance & Chapel Ambulatory (i.e. Walkway)

Chapel Altar, Choir Stalls & Monk at Prayer

Ridge Scenery

Hike in the Woods, Fishing Pond & Apple Orchard

Blue Berry Bushes & Camp Fire

Br. Canice at Swimming Pond & Ridge Hermitage 

Benedictine Vows (Part 3 of 3)

After a year of discerning one's vocation in the Novitiate, a Benedictine Monk Professes Three Vows: Obedience, Conversion of Life, and Stability.  I hope to offer a separate reflection on each of these vows; today we will take of the vow of "Stability" by which a monk seeks to live the monastic life in the context of a specific community, supporting the community through his work and prayer. Below is a passage taken from Thomas A. Kempis' spiritual masterpiece, The Imitation of Christ.

Stability

True Solace is to be Sought in God Alone

Devout persons always carry Jesus, their Consoler, with them, and say to Him: "Be with me, Lord Jesus, in every place and at all times, that I may have the special grace to forgo all human solace for love of You; and if Your comfort is withdrawn, let Your will and Your just trial of me be like the greatest comfort.  For He will not always rebuke, nor will He remain angry forever (Ps 103:9)