The first step

     I am not sure of the actual date in 1961, but in those days the school year usually began just before or after Labor Day - so it probably was the beginning of September of 1961, when Mom and Dad, my sister Janie and I drove from our home in Uniontown to Saint Vincent Prep School in Latrobe, PA.  It was a trip of just over an hour, but for someone who rarely if ever strayed far from home it was a major journey.   Add to that the fact that I was to stay on campus, having never been away from the security of my home and family, and the prospects were daunting.

     My recollections are my own and may not be as accurate as they should be.  In fact, watching all of the advertisements for "memory aids", maybe I should make a trip to the pharmacy.

     I remember driving up the road that leads from Route 30 to the Archabbey complex, seeing the buildings on the horizon, and wondering what I was getting into.  It was my first time at Saint Vincent.  We pulled to the entrance of the Prep building (Benedict Hall) to which we had directions and entered the main entrance.  It was a portico in the center of a long brick building.  To the right, at the end of the hall, was a small stained glass window.  To the left, at the end of the hall was a large crucifix that was lighted.  The headmaster's office was to the left.  We met with Father Louis Sedlacko, the headmaster, introduced ourselves, were welcomed and oriented, and then directed to a tour of the building.  Beyond that I remember only the departure of my family, and the strange experienced of "being left behind".

     I have been trying to recall that first year and find that there are only a few memories.  Maybe it was the excitement of a new experience, or the fear of the unknown, or the busy schedule that filled the days, but there are only scattered memories. Here are some of those memories:  living in community - our study hall and rec room were on the second floor ... we lived on the top floor, with locker room, washroom, lavatory and dorm room.  All of our class of twenty-one slept in one large room, single beds ... what an experience.  Praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent in the huge and impressive Abbey Basilica Church.  I remember Saturday evening movies in the college auditorium for the students.  We were involved in many intermural sports programs and were introduced to soccer, which was brought to the school and the local community by Father Vernon Holtz, who is still an active member of the Benedictine community.

    The Saint Vincent Preparatory School began the year after Saint Vincent was founded.  From 1847 until the early 1970's it served the college community as a Prep School.  Until the Fall of 1961 it served the Scholasticate (the Benedictine students of high school age) and served as a regular Prep School for outside students, most residential with a few "day hops" (locals who lived at home and attended class on campus).  With our freshman class we were the "beginning of the end" of the Prep, for we were all students for the priesthood - Scholastic and Diocesan students.   The other Prep students treated us well, sometimes with "kid gloves" for we were "in a special category".  I made a number of friends among the Prep guys.

     The year went by quickly and we looked forward to our summer vacation, for the next year would involve a new living arrangement.