Junior Camp comes to Saint Vincent

On June 14 to June 28, over thirty Temporarily Professed Benedictine Junior Monks from across the United States, Mexico and Canada will visit Saint Vincent Archabbey for a special summer Retreat program.  An annual event that occurs at a different monastery each summer, it is the first time Saint Vincent will host the program. 

The primary aims of the Junior Summer School program include:
To provide additional educational experiences not available in most monastic formation programs.
To provide opportunities to meet temporarily professed monks from other Benedictine houses.
To provide an experience of participation in the life of another Benedictine community.

The theme for this year will be "Building a Dynamic and Joyful Community Spirit" (Unity in the midst of our diversity and diversity in the midst of our unity.)"

To visit the monastery websites of the monks attending the Retreat:

• St. Bernard Abbey - Cullman, AL 
• http://www.stbernardabbey.com/
  
• St. Andrew Abbey - Cleveland, OH
• http://standrewabbey.org/
  
• Mount Angel Abbey - St. Benedict, OR
• http://www.mountangelabbey.org/
  
• Belmont Abbey - Belmont, NC
• http://belmontabbey.org/
  
• St. Benedict's Abbey - Atchison, KS
• http://www.kansasmonks.org/
  
• St. Meinrad Abbey, St. Meinrad, IN
• http://www.saintmeinrad.org/
  
• St. Peter's Abbey - Saskatchuwhan  
• http://www.stpetersabbey.ca/
  
• New Camaldoli Hermitage - Big Sur, CA
• http://www.contemplation.com/
  
• St. John's Abbey - Collegeville, MN
• http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/
  
• St. Andrew's Abbey - Valyermo, CA
• http://www.valyermo.com/
  
• Assumption Abbey - Richardton, ND
• http://www.assumptionabbey.com/
  
• St. Mary's Abbey - Delbarton, NJ
• http://www.saintmarysabbey.org/
  
• St. Anselm's Abbey - Washington, DC
• http://www.stanselms.org/
  
• Mount Savior Monastery - Pine City, NJ
• http://www.msaviour.org/
  
• Glastonbury Abbey - Hingham, MA
• http://www.glastonburyabbey.org/index.php

St. Vincent Archabbey Welcomes Generation Life

From June 1 to June 15, Saint Vincent Archabbey will host the Generation Life team for their annual Retreat

Generation Life is a movement of young people committed to building up a Culture of Life by educating their peers on the Pro-Life and Chastity messages and developing new leaders for the Pro-Life movement.  Only by spreading the message of Chastity can abortion be ended at its root cause.  

Generation Life Home Page:
http://www.generationlife.org/

Generation Life Team

Yo Yo Ma & St. Vincent Monks

After his wonderful performance in the Archabbey Basilica, Yo Yo Ma invited the monks of Saint Vincent to join him in singing the Benedictine Ulitma.  The Ultima is a traditional hymn that has been sung by monks for centuries.  A song which request's the Blessed Mother's intercession for a happy death, the Ultima is sung by monks on Festive occasions, at the end of each day after Night Prayer, and at the conclusion of a funeral.    


To watch Yo Yo Ma accompany the Ultima, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ovccAA6hE

At Saint Vincent, the text is sung in three languages Latin, German and English:

Ultima in mortis hora,

Filium pro nobis ora,

Bonam mortem impetra,

Virgo, Mater, Domina. 

Wenn wir mit dem Tode ringen,

Wollst, Maria, uns beispringen,

Dass wir selig scheiden hin,

Jungfrau, Mutter, Königin. 

When death's hour is then upon us,

To your Son pray that he grant us,

Death, both holy and serene,

Virgin Mary, Mother, Queen.

Fred Rogers Legacy Award

On May 23, 2014, The Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at Saint Vincent College presented the world famous Cellist, Yo Yo Ma, with the first "Fred Roger's Legacy Award"

The Fred Rogers Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have made exemplary professional contributions and personal commitments to service that pay forward elements of Fred Rogers’ legacy as a person embodying universal human values, a creative artist, a teacher and model of core principles for early learning and development, an innovator, and an advocate for the dignity and potential of all children. In their work, recipients also demonstrate the mission of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, as catalysts for communication, collaboration, and creative change in their fields.

Through his commitment to education and cultural enrichment, Yo-Yo Ma founded the Silk Road Project to promote the study of cultural, artistic, and intellectual traditions internationally as well as a multidisciplinary educational program for middle school U.S. students. Like Fred Rogers, Yo-Yo Ma expertly uses the power of popular culture and media to engage “students” of all ages in learning about and through music.

In keeping with the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, Yo-Yo Ma has used his many talents to inspire, nurture, and educate, and it is in the spirit of these unique endowments that the Fred Rogers Center is greatly honored to recognize him with the inaugural Fred Rogers Legacy Award.


To learn more, visit: http://www.fredrogerscenter.org/

Seminary Formation: Part 4 of 4

What is Seminary Formation Like?

Ever wonder what seminary is like? This short passage is taken from a book, "To Save a Thousand Souls," written by Fr. Brett Brannen. Although he wrote this book as an aid for men discerning diocesan priesthood, his chapter on Seminary is very insightful for monks preparing for the priesthood as well.

To "Look Inside" this book: http://www.amazon.com/Save-Thousand-Souls-Discerning-Priesthood/dp/0615345514

Fourth Pillar of Priestly Formation: Pastoral Formation

“The whole training of the students should have as its object to make them true shepherds of souls after the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, teacher, priest, and shepherd” (PPF #238).

Priesthood is about getting people to heaven! All priestly formation culminates in pastoral skill: being able to shepherd people and help them to grow in holiness. We often say in formation work that “grace builds on nature”. Though a priest will receive the grace to be a good shepherd at his ordination, that grace calls for the priest’s personal commitment to develop the knowledge and skills to teach and preach well, to celebrate the sacraments properly and prayerfully, and to take care of people’s spiritual needs.

Pastoral formation brings together all aspects of formation. It is analogous to the graduate of medical school who finally starts to see patients during his residency. He must develop his bedside manner, learn what to look for an how to treat “real people”.

To Learn About St. Vincent Seminary:

http://www.saintvincentseminary.edu/

Seminary Formation: Part 3 of 4

What is Seminary Formation Like?

Ever wonder what seminary is like? This short passage is taken from a book, "To Save a Thousand Souls," written by Fr. Brett Brannen. Although he wrote this book as an aid for men discerning diocesan priesthood, his chapter on Seminary is very insightful for monks preparing for the priesthood as well.

To "Look Inside" this book: http://www.amazon.com/Save-Thousand-Souls-Discerning-Priesthood/dp/0615345514

Third Pillar of Priestly Formation: Intellectual Formation

“For the Salvation of their brothers and sisters, they should seek an ever deeper knowledge of the divine mysteries” (PDV #51)

Disciples are learners. The first task of intellectual formation is to acquire a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ who is the fullness and completion of God’s revelation and the one Teacher. This saving knowledge is acquired not only once, but it is continuously appropriated and deepened.

Intellectual formation entails acquiring the scientia debita (debt of knowledge) needed for effective pastoral ministry. Thus seminary classes are very challenging. Major seminary includes rigorous academic programs on par with master’s-level programs in secular universities.

According to the PPF, intellectual formation specifically prepares seminarians to be:

• Hearers of the Word (to know Scripture and Biblical Theology)
  
• Proclaimers of the Word (Preachers)
  
• Catechists (teachers)
  
• Followers of Christ (to acquire a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus)
  
• Faithful to the Church
  
• Culturally aware (able to understand the world and diverse cultures in which the Gospel must be preached)
  
• Historically aware (familiar with the two-thousand year history of the Church and of societies in general)
  
• Ministers of the Sacraments
  
• Promoters of Marriage and Family

To learn about the Fourth Pillar, Pastoral Formation, see our blog post on Sept. 27

Seminary Formation for Monks

What is Seminary Formation Like?

 

There are two foundational documents which guide the structure of priestly formation. Every Seminary program in the U.S. is structured according to these two handbooks:

• Pastor Dabo Vobis (PDV), translated as I Will Give you Shepherds, by Pope John Paul II
• http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis_en.html
  
• The Program of Priestly Formation (PPF), by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
• http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/priesthood/priestly-formation/upload/ProgramforPriestlyFormation.pdf

In today’s seminaries, priestly formation rests on four pillars which the Holy Father clearly outlined and explained in PDV. The four pillars of priestly formation are:

1. Human Formation
2. Spiritual Formation
3. Intellectual Formation
4. Pastoral Formation

More information about each of the Four Pillars of Seminary Formation will be posted in the near future, beginning with "Human Formation" on Sept. 16

Monks Begin a New Semester of Seminary

While some monks attend seminary in order to attain a Master of Arts degree in subjects such as Systematic Theology, Sacred Scripture, or Monastic Studies (so that they might go on to teach in our college or seminary), other monks attend seminary in order to pursue a degree required for Priestly Ordination (Master of Divinity Degree).

The purpose of the Master of Divinity Degree is to prepare the monk (or diocesan seminarian) for ordained ministry and for general pastoral and religious leadership responsibilities. However, a monk does not choose this pursuit of ordination based on his own judgment. Rather, through his own careful discernment and the prayerful discernment of the Archabbot, a monk may be called upon by his abbot to study for the priesthood.

Listening to the wisdom of the Holy Rule, St. Benedict tells us, “Any Abbot who asks to have a priest or deacon ordained should choose from his monks one worthy to exercise the priesthood” (Ch 62).

This monk must constantly be on guard against conceit and pride: “Just because he is a priest, he may not therefore forget the obedience and discipline of the Rule, but make more and more progress toward God” (Ch 62).

Today is the 108th Anniversary of the Basilica's Dedication!

Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica: One Hundred Years

by Brian D. Boosel, O.S.B.

Nestled among the emerald green foothills of the Laurel Ridge Mountains of Southwestern Pennsylvania, at a place called Saint Vincent, there

is to be found a jewel of human achievement and architectural wonder, in praise of God: the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. The story of this grand church is situated within the stories of the many immigrant peoples who first came to Pennsylvania beginning in the mid-eighteenth century. It was the determination, zeal, and dedication of these peoples that formed the spiritual foundation of this sacred space. Thus, to understand the significance of this noble structure, it is necessary to understand the significance of the events around which this place called Saint Vincent came to be.


The tale of Saint Vincent begins in 1766—three years following the turbulent end of the French and Indian War. King George III of England granted a gentleman by the name of John Fraser some three hundred acres of land for development. Subsequently, Mr. Fraser sold the tract of land to a man named James Hunter, who, after having built a small log cabin on the land, named it Sportsman’s Hall. In January 1790, a Franciscan friar from Holland, Father Theodore Brouwers,

O.F.M, sailed to America to become a missionary. At the behest of Bishop John Carroll, Father Brouwers came to Southwestern Pennsylvania and purchased the property from Hunter. It was here that he established—in the log cabin—a Roman Catholic parish. The parish was first called “Sportsman’s Hall Parish,” then later Saint Vincent. In 1835 the growing congregation built a brick church. It stood behind the present-day basilica. When it came time to bless the church, the people of this parish wrote to the Bishop of Philadelphia, Bishop Kendrick. The Bishop’s custom was to name the church for whatever saint’s day it happened to be when he arrived at a church. He arrived at this parish on the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul. Today, 215 years later, this vibrant parish seeks to serve God and neighbor as the oldest Catholic parish west of the Allegheny Mountains. 


To Read the Whole Article: http://www.sacredarchitecture.org/articles/saint_vincent_archabbey_basilica_one_hundred_years/

Back to School!

After a peaceful summer of “Ora et Labora” (prayer and work), the junior monks will rejoin their diocesan classmates on Monday, August 26, for another year of studies at St. Vincent Seminary.

Saint Vincent Seminary is the fourth oldest Roman Catholic Seminary in the United States, dating back to our founder, Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, in 1846.

Since then nearly 2500 men have been ordained to the priesthood, and among our distinguished alumni are 30 bishops, archbishops, and cardinals.

For More Info on the St. Vincent Seminary: http://www.saintvincentseminary.edu/home

Vocation Pilgrimage to Rome!

Ever been on a Vocation Discernment Pilgrimage to Rome?  Come, Pray, and See the Foundations of Benedictine Monasticism!

Each year the St. Vincent Archabbey Vocation Office sponsors The Footsteps of St. Benedict Pilgrimage, a spiritual journey for young, single, Catholic men (age 18-35) who are exploring a Religious Vocation.  

Monte Cassino

The 2013-2014 tentative schedule:

• Fri. Dec 27: Leave from your most convenient airport for Rome
  
• Sat. Dec 28: Meals and Prayer at St. Anselmo, the international Benedictine House of Studies, and free time in Rome
  
• Sun. Dec 29: Visit Norcia, birthplace of St. Benedict and his twin sister St. Scholastica
  
• Mon. Dec. 30: Free day until Solemn Vespers with Pope Francis in St Peter’s Basilica
  
• Tues. Dec 31: Mass - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God with Holy Father & Tour of St. Paul's Outside the Walls
  
• Wed. Jan 1: Free day in Rome (Tour churches in Rome, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Coliseum)
  
• Thurs. Jan 2: Visit Subiaco Abbey, location of Saint Benedict’s cave and first monastery
  
• Fri. Jan 3: Visit Mt. Cassino, Benedict’s famous Abbey where he wrote his Holy Rule
  
• Sat. Jan 4: Papal Audience, Vatican Museum Tour, and free day in Rome
  
• Sun. Jan 5: Return to U.S.A.

Subiaco Abbey

More information about attending the Discernment Pilgrimage can be found on our Vocation Website:

http://www.stvincentmonks.com/Rome2010

And don't forget to ask about our Vince Sarni Family Scholarship of $700! 

Norcia Abbey Church

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

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 

Scott Hahn Symposium 2011 Begins Today

Priests, deacons and seminarians from around the nation come to spend four days with Dr. Scott Hahn on the grounds of Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania for the sixth consecutive year. The theme for this year's symposium is Proclaiming the Kingdom: The Gospel of Matthew. Renowned scripture scholar and evangelist Dr. Hahn will once again lead the symposium. He will be joined by other noted scholars, including Dr. Brant Pitre of Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans, the recent author of the highly acclaimed Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist and Dr. John Bergsma of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The days will be filled with prayer, in a leisurely, but stimulating environment. Please pray for the fire of the Holy Spirit to fall upon these priests, deacons, seminarians and speakers for the building up of the Kingdom!

2 monks installed acolytes

Twelve Saint Vincent seminarians, including Br. Maximilian Maxwell, OSB and Br. Jeremiah Lange, OSB from St. Vincent Archabbey and their classmates from six archdioceses and dioceses and one other monastery were installed in the Ministry of Acolyte on November 8 by Most Rev. Joseph P. McFadden, D.D., Bishop of Harrisburg, in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. They are from the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the dioceses of Covington, Erie, Harrisburg, Savannah and Wheeling-Charleston, Saint Vincent Archabbey and the Monastery of Christ in the Desert.

Pics from around the Abbey

The Third Nationwide Juried Catholic Arts Competition is being exhibited in a multimedia show of religious-themed art at the Saint Vincent Gallery.

A total of 44 works by artists from 12 states are included in the unique show in which artists worked in acrylic, oil, digital print, block print, embedded ink, pencil, silk, photography, plaster, egg tempera, resin, chalk, watercolor, drypoint etching, stained glass, flashed glass, and bronze.

The exhibition will be available for viewing in the gallery on the third floor of the Robert S. Carey Student Center until Friday, December 12. Gallery hours are 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 12 noon to 3 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The gallery is closed on Mondays. Admission is free and open to the public.

This is the third juried Catholic arts exhibition which seeks to foster the arts of the Western Christian tradition although other artistic traditions of Christian subject matter are also considered. 

World-acclaimed art historian Sister Wendy Beckett served as juror for the exhibition.

New website launched

We have launched our new vocation website: click here  (keep checking back as we are still developing the site)

Community Picture 2010

Please continue to pray for Archabbot Douglas and our community that we may continue to seek holiness and stay true to Holy Mother Church and her teachings.  May our Lord Jesus Christ be with us and may his holy Mother intercede for us.

Requiscat in Pace

Father Flavian Yelinko, O.S.B., the oldest living monk in the history of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died Thursday, February 18, 2010, at the age of 103.  May he Rest in the Peace of Christ and may he be rewarded for his many years of faithful service in the Lord's vineyard.