Dear friends,

It is with sadness that we share the news that Archabbot Emeritus Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., the Eleventh Archabbot of Saint Vincent, Latrobe, passed away yesterday. He was 79. 

Widely considered the second founder of Saint Vincent, the young Nowicki saw the 1963 fire that ravaged nearly 75% of campus. Decades later in 1991, Nowicki would be elected Archabbot, and he would inaugurate a true renaissance of growth and building across campus. 

Under his abbatial reign, spires were added to the Basilica; the upper church and lower crypt were renovated; dormitories were added across campus; a new science center, library, and gallery space were constructed; the Fred Rogers Center (now Institute) for early learning and childhood development was established; a new, grand organ was installed in the Basilica; and endowments and scholarships were created to prepare for the future. These are only a few of his lasting testaments.

Spiritual building also prospered under Nowicki. Vocations flourished—and continue to flourish today making Saint Vincent the largest monastery in the world. He supported and promoted the arts from exhibitions to theatre productions, even creating a unique and lasting bond with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Monks took on a wider presence with students and faithful through teaching roles and works within the College, Archabbey, Seminary, and Parish. The presence of the Benedictine Nuns of Saint Emma’s were bolstered. Saint Vincent’s bond as “Summer Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers” was strengthened. Programs, degrees, and initiatives in the College and Seminary were invested in for the future. The Oblate program grew and was heartily fostered. He expended tireless work for the Church in China. These are but a few of his many projects. 

Archabbot Douglas was a forward-thinker who spared nothing to make Saint Vincent, her monks, her students, and friends, the very best. Many times he drew on the example of his friend Fred Rogers, who saw the need to concretely remind and tell people of their infinite value and worth. Archabbot Douglas believed in everyone’s contributions to Saint Vincent, society, and indeed the world. Adopting the Founder Archabbot Boniface Wimmer’s words time and again, Nowicki would say: “Forward, always forward, everywhere forward.” “Man’s adversity is God’s opportunity.”

And yet beyond the many accolades due him and the many impressive buildings and projects he leaves behind in memory for us, his greatest achievement is the living witness of the Rule of Saint Benedict he lived simply and profoundly each day in his gentle, always kind, welcome to campus guests. “To welcome all as Christ.” He welcomed bishops, cardinals, priests, a US president, artists, musicians, philosophers, theologians, oblates, educators, healthcare workers, the poor, those of other faiths and no faith at all, those considered different, all with the same smile and gentle: “Welcome to Saint Vincent—you are welcome here.” 

May the Lord greet him at Jerusalem’s gate this day after a life well-spent in the Lord’s vineyard. May the Lord, the angels, the saints, and both Benedict and Scholastica greet him too, with such the same welcome. And may he now rejoice in the contemplation of God, face to face, heart to heart. 

May all members and friends of Saint Cosmas Oblate Deanery join the entire Saint Vincent Community in prayer for his happy repose in these days, offering a Rosary, 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys, and 3 Glory Be’s for his repose.

REQUIEM aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

ETERNAL rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Pax,

Bishop Foys and Fr. Jordan