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VESPERS AT THE ARCHABBEY:
a sample of monastic prayer at Saint Vincent Archabbey
Saint Vincent founder Boniface Wimmer had several clear goals in mind when he
arrived in present-day Latrobe. He wanted to create a strong
Benedictine community, a strong seminary and a strong college. Along
the way he also established other missions and monasteries across the
United States. These foundations served people ranging from German
immigrants, eastern Europeans, freed slaves, and Indians. He even
established missions in areas populated with peoples of other faiths.
The results of his vision to go "forward, always forward, everywhere
forward," are evident today from the apostolates we serve in the United
States and in other countries. He did build a strong Benedictine
community, a strong seminary and a strong college. We are grateful for
our rich heritage.
Our focus, however, remains, like that of
Boniface Wimmer's, on the future. When Archabbot Boniface arrived here,
he said: "Everything depends upon this one question, namely, to whom
will the next generation belong?" Our work in the Saint Vincent
community, and with all of those whose lives we touch, affirms that the
future belongs to Jesus Christ.
We invite you to share in the future of our community. Visit us. Talk to members of our community.
Discover the many ways in which we follow the vision of Boniface
Wimmer. We are all Benedictines. We are also educators, counselors,
attorneys, doctors, writers, musicians and artists. We are all
followers of Christ.
Join us.
Sincerely in Christ,
+Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B.
+click here for video welcome+
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From a letter to students aspiring to join him on his mission to America....
My Dear Candidates: In reply to your communication regarding our proposed mission to America, I wish to submit the following...
1. You must above all be determined to become priests and good priests.
2. You must be determined to become religious not only to be united to Christ more closely and follow Him more faithfully, but, if necessary,
do more for Him, to suffer for Him, and not by any means to go with the intention of becoming priests more easily or, still less, to escape
temporal cares.
The vocation to the priesthood in itself is a great grace, and that to the religious state a greater one, because it is a state of perfection,
and that to the missionary life still greater, because it is an apostolic vocation.
We should consider it a great privilege that God deigns to use us as instruments in founding an institution which, if the foundation is well laid,
will confer untold benefits on the people of the United States. If you consider this well, you will not put yourself forward without vocations.
But if you feel the call within you, you will not allow youselves to be deterred by obstacles from following this impulse, because the greater the
sacrifice, the greater the reward. We will be able to say to Our Lord with Peter, "Behold we have left everything and have followed Thee; what therefore
will we have?" Undoubtedly, he will give us the same anwser that he gave to Peter, recorded in the Gospel of St.Matthew, chapter 19, verse 28.
If these are your sentiments, you will never have cause to regret having followed me when you are in America. The main reason is not that you are in quest
of beautiful surroundings, a comfortable home, or a life of ease, but that you are seeking the opportunity to carry the cross of self-denial after
the crucified Jesus, to save or regain souls that otherwise would be lost and for which His blood would have been shed in vain . . . For this
reason, do not go with me to please me, but on the contrary consider yourselves fortunate and honored if you are found worthy to take part in such
an undertaking. God is able to raise up children of Abraham from stones. He made Paul out of Saul. If my undertaking is from Him,
He will send me co-laborers, wherever they may come from. I am sure of this. Therefore I will not pursuade or entice you to go and thus
render you unhappy if you have no vocation. You will never have cause to cast this up to me. I do not know the future. I only show you the cross.
Each one will take along what he possesses. Whatever may be left after the fare to America has been paid will be his
until he makes his religous profession. After that it will belong to the community. However, if one has poor relatives, he may leave
it to them, according to the Holy Rule. He who has little will take little. Let each one endeavor to get as much as may be required to
secure an outfit, namely, the necessary books, a habit, clothing etc... The money that I have will be sufficient for a time if we work a
little. Work in the fields and other hard work will naturally devolve upon the lay brothers, but at times we may be obliged to lend a
helping hand. The housework, apportioned according to each one's physical condition and with regard to the fact that they are preparing for
the sacred ministry, will fall to the lot of the clerics. When I begin to explain the Rule, I will inform you of the order of the day, insofar
as it may be determined at present. The details can be arranged only after our arrival. We will have everything that can reasonably be
expected: a house, clothing, food and drink (at least good, fresh water). We will have time for prayer, meditation, and study, for practice in
teaching and preaching, and for other useful occupations so necessary to ward off the evils that result from idleness.
If to all this everyone adds good will and cherishes a kind of regard for his brother, then our little monestary will be a veritable paradise.
Even if suffering, sickness, poverty, or persecution should occasionally be our lot, as they are not wanting in any place, still they will be like
pepper and salt to season the monotony of our daily routine. They will remind us that there is nothing perfect here below and that we must carry the
cross of affliction because the road to heaven is narrow and thorny. Let there be no Judas among us. Let no temporal considerations motivate us.
Let not ambition be our goal. Do not render my life nor yours miserable though such aims. If you feel that you are weak, it is no disgrace to stay
at home, but to come along without being animated by pure and holy intentions would be acting the part of Judas.
From this you know my opinion in the matter. Consider well whether you are satisfied with what I have said. May God guide you in your decision. I will
not entice you, nor will I tempt you to go; but I will take you along if you desire to follow me.
-P. Boniface
February 19, 1846 |
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