History of Saint Vincent College

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Legacy

Explore the journey of Boniface Wimmer and the Benedictine monks who transformed a small parish into a vibrant community and a renowned college. Discover how their dedication to education, labor, and faith continues to shape Saint Vincent today.

How did Boniface Wimmer’s vision shape the community and educational legacy of Saint Vincent College?

In 1846, Boniface Wimmer, a German Benedictine monk, arrived in the U.S. with 18 others to establish a monastery. After being appointed to pastor the Saint Vincent Parish in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, he founded the first Benedictine Monastery and set up a tight-knit community of monks dedicated to serving God and educating young people. His monks soon created a vibrant community of laborers each one contributing by learning to mill flour, brew beer, mine coal, and instruct students.

On November 20,1846 inspired by the Benedictine tradition for pursing truth and knowledge, he founded Saint Vincent College.

During the remaining years of his life Boniface Wimmer established seven Benedictine abbeys, 152 Benedictine parishes, and 75 Benedictine schools in America. At the end of Abbot Wimmer’s life, Benedictine priests, under his supervision, were providing pastoral care for more than 50,000 people.

Today, the monastery has grown to over 200 monks, making it the largest in the U.S., and Saint Vincent College has expanded to include diverse academic, athletic, and arts programs, evolving into a co-ed institution from its origins as an all-male school.

November 20, 1846, is the day our Saint Vincent students, alumni, and faculty celebrate Founders’ Day with a special convocation, turkey dinner, activities on campus, and fireworks. It’s a day to celebrate who we are!

Who are these guys in black robes walking around campus?

Monks have been dedicating their lives to prayer and piety since the 3rd century, establishing the first monasteries as havens of peace and places to study. In the 6th century, Saint Benedict of Nursia was drawn to monastic life during a troubled time in Rome’s history. Initially seeking isolation to cultivate holiness, he later realized the profound significance of a life in community with others.

He eventually established the renowned Monte Cassino monastery. Soon Benedictine monasteries known for welcoming the stranger spread across the West, earning St. Benedict the title of “Grandfather of Western Monasticism.”

Benedict and his twin sister, Scholastica, who established a community for women near Monte Cassino, met annually, discussing spiritual matters. On their final visit, Scholastica asked Benedict to stay past his curfew. When he refused because he adhered strictly to his own monastic rules, she prayed to God, and a storm prevented his return to the monastery. As a result, they spent the entire night deeply engaged in spiritual conversation and prayer.

Thanks to his sister, Benedict came to realize the central role that love plays in his vocation and to understand that Christ values what's in our hearts above all else.

Today, the Benedictine principles of community, hospitality, and, most importantly, love, endure, proving their relevance especially in modern times. Here in the 21st century at the Saint Vincent Archabbey, our Benedictine monks serve our community and college in various ways by teaching classes, baking bread, leading student ministry retreats, and loving from the heart. The bonds our students form with these "men in black robes" are not only distinctive to Saint Vincent but also enriching blessings in our students’ lives.

Here at Saint Vincent, you’ll hear us talking about “The Rule” … so what is that?

Benedict recognized the need for a practical and structured guide that unified the monks in the Benedictine Order. So, he wrote “The Rule” which sets the standards and orders for monks in a Benedictine monastery, covering everything from assigning weekly readers to organizing manual labor, caring for the elderly, and welcoming guests.

The college embraces “The Rule's” underlying philosophies and principles found throughout its pages along with the “Benedictine Hallmarks of Education,” a set of principles to guide higher education in a tradition of Benedictine wisdom. Every freshman receives a copy of “The Rule” during Welcome Weekend and studies it in conjunction with the “Benedictine Hallmarks of Education” in the Listening Seminar.

How far reaching is our Benedictine Community?

Domestically, our Benedictine monks from Saint Vincent serve in hospitals, parishes, prisons, and military bases all over the US. Internationally, our Benedictine community provides support to priories in Brazil and Taiwan, aiding in the advancement of their educational, cultural, and religious endeavors. Additionally, Benedictine monasteries worldwide collaborate with us to host our students during their international travels. Saint Vincent is truly a global community extending far beyond Latrobe, Pennsylvania.