Benedictines from Saint Vincent Archabbey ordained to the priesthood

LATROBE – Two Benedictines from Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, were ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 10 by Most Rev. Larry J. Kulick, J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. The monks are Father Celestine Xu, O.S.B., of Shanghai, and Father Gregory Visca, O.S.B., of Valrico, Florida.

Father Celestine came to Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2015 and made solemn vows on July 11, 2019. He was ordained to the diaconate on May 14, 2022 in the Archabbey Basilica by Bishop Kulick. Following his ordination, he was assigned to serve as deacon at Christ the King Parish, Leechburg and Saint Gertrude Parish, Vandergrift.

Father Celestine earned the master of divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2023.

Father Gregory Visca, the son of Michael and Victoria Visca of Valrico, Florida.

He entered Saint Vincent Archabbey as a novice in 2018 and made first profession of vows on July 10, 2019. He began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary in 2019, in the master of divinity degree and ordination program, and is also working toward a master of arts degree in monastic studies. In 2021 he was assigned to teach theology at Benedictine Military School in Savannah.  He returned to Saint Vincent in the fall of 2022 to complete his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained to the diaconate on November 26, 2022 by Bishop Larry J. Kulick.