St Vincent College - Tower Yearbook (Latrobe, PA)

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ARCHABBOT Archabbot Strittmatter is known to all members of this Benedictine Community. He is the nucleus of the Saint Vincent Archabbey and the symbol of Benedictine stability. Although he is seldom seen by the student body, his presence is felt in the administrative and spiritual policies which he directs. Right Reverend D nis Omer Strittmatter was born in Hastings, P nnsylvania on August 18, 1896. He first entere a parochial school in Hast- ings and then came o Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He enrolled in Saint Vincent College and at the completion of his sophomore year was ad- mitted to the novitiate of the Archabbey. On July 2, 1917, he professed his temporary vows and three years later was solemnly professed. ln the following three years the Archabbot received the subdeaconate and deaconate. He was ordained into the priesthood by Bishop Hugh C. Boyle D.D., Bishop of Pittsburgh, in the Saint Vincent Arch- abbey, on July 24, 1923. He was previously assigned to manage the Archabbey Press, but after entering the priesthood, he became a member of the Saint Vincent faculty and later served in parishes in Youngwood, Ligo- nier, and Wilpen. ln 1928 he was sent to Belmead, Rock Castle, Virginia where he served as assistant director of Saint Emma's Industrial and Agricul- tural Institute. He became head of the Rock Castle school and remained in this position until 1947. Reverend Strittmatter was then recalled to Saint Vincent where he was to supervise the maintenance of the institution and direct an extensive reno- vation. With permission of the Holy See for the election of a Coadiutor Archabbot, Reverend Strittmatter became the new superior of the Archabbey with right of succession to Right Reverend Alfred Koch O.S.B., S.T.D. The election was attended by 186 electors, the largest ever gathered for the election of an abbot in the United States. Upon the death of Right Reverend Koch, Reverend Strittmatter assumed full iurisdiction of the Saint Vincent Arch- abbey and College. The formal blessing took place in the Archabbey Church on November 25, 1949. Most Reverend John F. Dearden, Coadiutor Bishop of the Pittsburgh diocese, conferred the Solemn Abbatial Blessing on the Archabbot. The Chancellor is a member of the Pope's Coun- cil of Four Abbots and is president of the American Cassinese Congregation. Widely traveled, the Archabbot has had the honor of being one of the two American archabbots in attendance at the Ecumenical Council in Rome.