The Passing of a Legend - Father Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B.

     At 11:00 am this morning a legend in western Pennsylvania Catholicism, in Scripture studies, in spirituality and retreat work, and in the Benedictine Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe died at the age of eighty-nine.   Countless priests over a period of fifty-seven years were  introduced into a love for the Scriptures through the teaching of this man of God.  For seventeen of those years he led the Seminary Community as Rector as well as professor, and for a number of years as Spiritual director.  A teacher, scholar, retreat master, writer and lecturer, he is known  and respected among a great circle of people.



     Born on the family farm between Carrolltown and Ebensburg, Pennsylvania on October 1, 1923, he joined the Benedictine Community at Saint Vincent in 1942 and was ordained at Subiaco Abbey in Italy in 1947.  His obituary is long and impressive, his educational background solid and impressive, and his impact on the Church equally as deep and impressive.  If you go to the Archabbey website you can read what this man accomplished and get a hint at who he was.

     Having gone to Saint Francis in Loretto for theology, I never had Father Demetrius in class (although I think that I attended a workshop or two over the years) but I know of his gentleness, his deep faith, and his awesome reputation.  He was a great witness to his love for the Word of God and for the Church.

     Father Demetrius will be buried from the Archabbey Basilica on Wednesday afternoon at a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 pm.  We extend our sympathy and offer our prayers for his Benedictine family at Saint Vincent and to Archabbot Douglas Nowicki.

May he rest in peace.