Background
Nowicki was born in Everson, Pennsylvania on May 8, 1945, the son of Sylvester and Evelyn (Jackamonis) Nowicki.
Nowicki was born in Everson, Pennsylvania on May 8, 1945, the son of Sylvester and Evelyn (Jackamonis) Nowicki.
Nowicki attended Catholic grade schools at Saint Joseph, Everson, and Holy Cross, Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Saint Vincent College in 1968, a Master of Divinity from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1971 and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Tennessee in 1977.
Nowicki became solemnly professed on July 11, 1966 and was ordained a priest on May 21, 1972. He served the monastic community and the Diocese of Pittsburgh in various capacities before his election as Archabbot in 1991. He is one of four children.
Nowicki was professed as a Benedictine monk on July 11, 1966, and ordained to the Catholic priesthood at the Archabbey Basilica on May 21, 1972 by William G. Connare, the Bishop of Greensburg.
Prior to his election as archabbot, Nowicki had served for five years as Secretary for Education of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1986 to 1991 and Pastor of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish, on the North Side of Pittsburgh from 1984 to 1986. At Saint Vincent College he served as Chairman of the Department of Psychology from 1979 to 1984 and Associate Academic Dean from 1983 to 1984.
Nowicki also served as a psychological consultant to the popular children"s television show, Mister Rogers" Neighborhood, from 1978 to 1984. Nowicki was first elected by his fellow monks on January 8, 1991 to become the 11th Archabbot of Saint Vincent.
On March 1, 1991, he received the Abbatial Blessing from Anthony G. Bosco, Bishop of Greensburg.
From 1978 through 1983, he was also a member of the staff in the Behavioral Science Department at Children"s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
