Three monks celebrate 50 years of monastic profession
May 29, 2012
From left are jubiliarians Br. Angelo Vitale, OSB, and Br. Flavian Schwenk, OSB. Fr. Matthias Neuman, OSB, was not available for the photo.
The Benedictine monks at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad,
IN, celebrated the 50-year jubilees of monastic profession for Br.
Angelo Vitale, OSB, Br. Flavian Schwenk, OSB, and Fr. Matthias
Neuman, OSB, on May 27, 2012.
Br. Angelo is a native of Connellsville,
PA. He attended Cathedral Latin School from 1955-56, before
attending St. Mary's College in St. Mary, KY, from 1956-57. The
following year, he came to St. Placid Hall at Saint Meinrad, a
school for those interested in becoming brothers in the religious
order.
He joined the monastery in 1960 and made his profession as a
Benedictine monk on May 13, 1962. Since then, he has served in
several capacities, including as a baker, barber, cobbler and
tailor. Currently, Br. Angelo works in the tailor shop, where he
sews and repairs the monks' habits and fixes shoes and other
leather goods.
Br. Flavian is a native of Jasper, IN. After
graduating from Ireland High School in 1960, he came to Saint
Meinrad and entered the monastery in 1961. He took his monastic
vows as a Benedictine monk on May 13, 1962.
He has served in various capacities at Saint Meinrad, including
as an assistant plumber, monastery house prefect, mail and delivery
driver, and caretaker for the monastery rock garden. He also is an
artist specializing in woodburning creations.
Fr. Matthias is a native of Huntingburg, IN. He
came to Saint Meinrad in 1955 to attend high school. He earned a
bachelor's degree in philosophy from Saint Meinrad College in 1964,
a Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1967,
and licentiate and doctorate degrees in systematic theology at
Sant' Anselmo in Rome.
He joined the monastery in 1961, professing his vows as a
Benedictine on August 15, 1962. He was ordained a priest on
September 24, 1967. He taught theology at Saint Meinrad School of
Theology from 1969 to 1981. The next year, he began an eight-year
stint as professor of theology and director of the pre-theology
program at Saint Meinrad College.
Other assignments have included director of the Summer Session
Program, director of continuing education, and associate pastor and
pastoral resource theologian for the Diocese of Nashville, TN.
Currently, he serves as chaplain for Our Lady of Grace Monastery in
Beech Grove, IN, and an adjunct professor for Saint Meinrad
Seminary and School of Theology.
