Sunday Homily

Father Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B.

Father Campion Paul Gavaler, O.S.B., was born January 10, 1929 in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania.

He attended St. Benedict Parochial School, Carrolltown and is a 1947 graduate of Carrolltown High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from St. Francis College, Loretto, in 1950. He studied theology at the Collegio Di Sant' Anselmo, Rome, earning his S.T.L. in 1962. He also studied liturgy at the University of Notre Dame in the summers of 1958, 1959 and 1963, and chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh (1951-1952). Father Campion graduated from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1959.

He made simple profession of vows as a Benedictine monk July 2, 1953 and solemn profession of vows July 11, 1956 at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica. He was ordained a priest May 23, 1959 in Greensburg by the late Bishop Hugh Lamb.

Father Campion's service to the Saint Vincent community includes serving as a chemistry lab instructor at Saint Vincent College (1954-1960); member of the faculty of Saint Vincent College and Seminary and chaplain for the college (1962); chaplain of Saint Vincent Preparatory School (1963); chairman of the Religious Studies Department at Saint Vincent College (1964); academic dean at Saint Vincent College (1975-1980); visiting professor at Seton Hill College (1967, 1969); visiting professor at Pennsylvania State University (1971); provost of Saint Vincent College (1980-1985); acting president of Saint Vincent College (1980-1981). He is currently a member of the college faculty.

His article, "Theology of the Sermon as Part of the Mass," may be found in Worship (March, 1964).

Father Campion has held memberships in the College Theology Society, American Academy of Religion, Eastern Association of College Deans and the Pennsylvania Deans Association.