Scripture Book Wins National Award

A Scripture book by a former Saint Vincent Seminary faculty member received a national award from the Catholic Press Association in 2015.

The Sunday Homilies, Saint Vincent Archabbey, Cycle B, by Father Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B., and the late Father Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B., received a first place book award in the category Scripture: Popular Studies. Father Demetrius was a former Rector and faculty member at Saint Vincent Seminary.

The judges’ commentary noted:

“In this book, two fine scholars write simple, practical homily reflections for every Sunday of the Liturgical year. Each homily reflection provides a concise, insightful summary of the Gospel, obviously the fruit of years of study and contemplation of the passage! Each reflection also includes a wise life application that truly enables the Sunday Gospel to be lived in the ordinary moments of life that occur every day of the week. The insights into the human heart provided in the Life Implication section of each chapter are profound. There are no excess words, which provides an example for homilists.”

Father Demetrius (1923-2013), a former rector and professor of Scripture at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, was the author of Flowers in the Desert: A Spirituality of the Bible, Cherish Christ Above All: The Bible in the Rule of Saint Benedict, A Mystical Portrait of Jesus, New Perspectives on John’s Gospel, Praying the Scriptures, and So We Do Not Lose Heart: Biblical Wisdom for All Our Days. In addition to studies at Saint Vincent Seminary, Father Demetrius earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology Degree from the Pontifical Institute of Sant’ Anselmo, Rome.

Father Campion studied at Saint Vincent Seminary, Notre Dame, and received a S.T.L. degree from Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. His article “Theology of the Sermon as Part of the Mass” (Worship March 1964) explains that the puropse of a homily is to convey the good news of the Lord’s presence to redeem our present situation — however hopeless it may appear to be. He taught theology at Saint Vincent College and Seminary, and was visiting professor at Penn State and Seton Hill. He also has served as academic dean, provost, and acting president of Saint Vincent College.

 

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