“Everything is dependent upon the blessing of God who can give both the inspiration and the fulfillment. Anyone who considers the meager means with which the start had to be made, may be somewhat concerned, and, as for me, my friends and acquaintances cannot be more so than I. However, Read more…
The passions, the temptations, the dangers with which humans have to struggle, always remain the same. However, the high ideals for which we must strive also remain the same. Whoever questions whether monastic life is still relevant, needs to understand that the purpose of monastic life is nothing other than Read more…
The most memorable day in the history of St. Vincent is October 24, 1846, for on this day the cornerstone of the spiritual foundation of the monastery was laid, by Father Boniface giving the habit to his companions. On this day also, common prayer in choir was begun, which since Read more…
Saint Vincent Archabbey’s history is long and complex, as was detailed in Mission to America, Jerome Oetgen’s fine account. Readers wishing to look at the history of Saint Vincent after that time, may want to look at Always Forward: Saint Vincent Archabbey 1949-2020, which brings the history of Boniface Wimmer’s Read more…
Boniface Wimmer and 18 companions came to America in 1846 and planted the seeds of the Benedictine Order in North America. Boniface Wimmer: Letters of An American Abbot, edited by Jerome Oetgen, commemorates the 200th anniversary of Wimmer’s birth. This special bicentennial edition consists of translations and English originals of Read more…
Mission to America tells the story of the first Benedictine monastery in the United States. It provides an account of the development of monastic life in America. Using American and European archival sources, as well as documents and letters in Saint Vincent records, Dr. Jerome Oetgen covers the entire 150-year Read more…
Our Wimmer Wednesday quotes of late have been taken from the book, Boniface Wimmer: Abbot of Saint Vincent in Pennsylvania, translated from the original German only recently. This translates makes the first biographical portrait of this key figure in American Benedictine history more accessible to interested readers. . Written by Read more…
Following Boniface Wimmer’s death in 1887, the monks of Saint Vincent and its daughterhouses set out to gather all of his letters and correspondences—a task that undoubtedly included collecting portrait photographs of Wimmer. Portrait photography of the mid-19th century possesses an intrinsic artistry; a 30-plus-second exposure demanded thoughtful and compelling compositions with a Read more…
Wimmer Wednesday. Boniface Wimmer is invited to Saint Vincent. “St. Vincent, Pennsylvania“October 11, 1846“Reverend Boniface Wimmer: “Having learned that it is your intention to establish a monastery of the Benedictine Order in this country, the members of which devote themselves to the care of souls and to the education of Read more…
Wimmer Wednesday. Boniface Wimmer meets with Bishop Michael O’Connor of Pittsburgh. “Father Boniface then set out for Pittsburgh to pay his respects to the Most Reverend Bishop and to present his references to him. While the bishop expressed his appreciation for Father Boniface’s plan, he at the same time suggested Read more…