Offer Comes True

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 youth, and feeling convinced that you cannot find in Pennsylvania a place better suited for these purposes than the farm attached to St. Vincent’s Church, we the undersigned do earnestly request you to come here and establish here the monastery above alluded to.

“In our own name and in the name of the other members of this parish, every man of whom, if he had time, we feel assured, would join with us in the sentiments we now express, we beg leave to assure you that we shall be always ready to do everything in our power to aid you in your benevolent undertakings, and support you in the discharge of your arduous mission. This farm has been given for the support of the pastor of the church for the time being. Trustees were appointed to preserve the property for the purpose for which it was granted, but being in your hands it could be used for this purpose in the most effectual manner. When worthy clergymen are living here attending this congregation and this farm is neither destroyed nor damaged, the people neither have nor claim any right to interfere with it. No one at the present moment would be inclined to give the least trouble or annoyance but on the contrary all would be delighted at your coming amongst us. Lest, however, anything of the kind should be anticipated in the future, we pledge ourselves to do everything in our power to make your position independent, so that when the above objects are secured you may feel certain that no one shall even have it in his power to give you the least annoyance.“

—From Boniface Wimmer, Abbot of Saint Vincent in Pennsylvania, translated by Dr. Maria Von Mickwitz and Father Warren Murrman, O.S.B., editor.