OBLATES as GUESTS

Directions and Parking

St. Vincent Archabbey, located slightly southwest of the city of Latrobe, can best be reached from U.S. Route 30 (from the east or west) or from PA Route 981 (from the north). See the map on the reverse side for the particular roads leading to the Archabbey. Parking for guests is available on the south side of Leander Hall. If all spaces there are filled, guests may use the spaces in front of the Basilica.

Accommodations

Guests are generally accommodated in Leander Hall, located immediately to the north of the Basilica. Most rooms are furnished with two beds, although a few have one or three. Each room is also furnished with linens and towels, a desk and chairs, a closet, a lavatory with toilet, and an alarm clock. The room key should be located on the desk when the guest arrives. Upon departure, the guest should leave the key on the desk.

Meals are generally taken in the monastery guest dining room, located along the hallway west of the Basilica (Anselm Hall). Upon making room reservations, guests should inform the hosting monk which is the first meal to be eaten at the Archabbey so that the proper meal reservations can be made.

NO PETS, PLEASE! The Archabbey has no facilities for dealing with animals; so we ask that you leave your pets at home. NO SMOKING, PLEASE! Out of sensitivity to other guests and to the general population of the Archabbey, smoking is not permitted in the indoor areas of the Archabbey, including the guest rooms.

Reservations

An Oblate planning to visit the Archabbey and to stay at least one night should contact the Director of Oblates to make arrangements. If he is not available, the Oblate may contact one of the monastic guest masters. The reservation should be made as far in advance as possible since there are times when all rooms are filled. The Archabbey's switchboard phone number is 724-805-2291 or (412) 539-9761, and messages can be left by voice mail.

If a cancellation is necessary, please inform the Director of Oblates or guest master as soon as possible so that the reserved room may be made available to others.

Private Retreats

If an oblate wishes to meet with a specific monk for counseling, confession, or retreat conferences, such arrangements may be made directly with the monk. Otherwise, the Oblate may request such spiritual assistance by contacting the Director of Retreats, who will try to accommodate the Oblate's needs and suggest an additional donation. There is no guarantee that a monk will be available for retreat conferences.

Expenses

The Archabbey does not charge for guest accommodations but appreciates donations to help cover the costs of maintaining the guest house and serving meals. The suggested donation for one night and three meals is $30.00 per person. We are grateful to those who can contribute more, and we welcome those whose means do not allow for the suggested donation.

Because of the distinction of various budgets, Oblates who wish to donate to the Oblate Program or to other Archabbey funds are asked to make such donations separately from those for guest accommodations and to mark clearly the intent of the donations.

Welcome!

It is a part of our Benedictine tradition to welcome guests to share in the life and prayer of the monks of the Archabbey. It is our privilege and our joy. Guests should feel free to walk on any of the grounds of the Archabbey, College, or Seminary except for the inside of the monastery itself. A parlor on the first floor of Leander Hall is available for meetings with groups of people. If a tour of the grounds is desired, it can probably be arranged by asking the hosting monk. Also available are a swimming pool and an outdoor fitness trail.

Role of the Director of Oblates

The Director of Oblates is glad to be able to meet with Oblates and Oblate novices who come to the Archabbey. If at all possible, he will try to be on hand to welcome the visitor, to send the visitor off, and to share the first and last meals with the visitor. However, because of other duties, he cannot be expected to remain with Oblate guests for all meals and for other functions. It is hoped that after one or two opportunities to participate in the Divine Office in the monastic choir and to eat in the guest dining room, the visitor will be able to find his or her own way to these areas.

Schedule

Oblates are especially encouraged to participate in the monks' praying of the Liturgy of the Hours and in the community's daily Eucharist. The schedule should be posted on the bulletin board in Leander Hall. For convenience, the schedule is listed below. Because of changes that may occur because of funerals or other special events, the monastic horarium may be altered on any given day, and guests should check with one of the monks for such occasional changes in the schedule.

Monday through Friday *Sunday

Morning Prayer 6:30 A.M.
*Morning Prayer 7:00 A.M.

Mass 7:00 A.M.
*Breakfast after prayer

Breakfast after Mass
*Conventual Mass 11:00 A.M.

Midday Prayer 11:30 A.M.
*Lunch after Mass

Lunch after prayer
*Evening Prayer 5:15 P.M.

Evening Prayer 5:15 P.M.
*Supper after prayer

Supper after prayer

Monday through Friday	*Sunday
Morning Prayer	6:30 A.M.	*Morning Prayer	7:00 A.M.
Mass	7:00 A.M.	*Breakfast	after prayer
Breakfast	after Mass	*Conventual Mass	11:00 A.M.
Midday Prayer	11:30 A.M.	*Lunch	after Mass
Lunch	after prayer	*Evening Prayer	5:15 P.M.
Evening Prayer	5:15 P.M.	*Supper	after prayer
Supper	after prayer

Saturday
Morning Prayer	7:00 A.M.
Mass	7:30 A.M.
rest of day-	same as above

Note: Parish Masses are also available in the Basilica at 6:00 P.M. on Saturday and at 6:00 A.M., 8:00 A.M., and 9:30 A.M. on Sunday.

Note: During vacations from school the schedule from Monday through Friday is generally altered to:

Morning Prayer 7:00 A.M.

Mass 7:30 A.M.

St. Vincent Oblate Home Page.