Paul Diveny

Post date: May 7, 2011 4:00:42 AM

My trajectory since graduating from the Hive has been a little different than most. After graduating from Catholic U. with a BA in Latin, I joined St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown in January 1976. I was quickly put to work there doing some of the things that had started at Benedict’s - teaching Latin and working as one of the yearbook moderators. In 1980, I had an experience that altered the course of my life. I was asked to go to Rome to study at Sant’Anselmo, the Benedictine university in Rome. I was there from 1980-1982 and received a diploma in Monastic Studies. That was the official part. What I also acquired was a life-long passion for the Italian language, culture and food. I returned to Delbarton in 1982 and resumed my teaching duties. Then, in 1985 Fr. Bruno was appointed headmaster and asked me to join his team as Assistant Headmaster. I served in that capacity for six years. During that time, I was asked once again to undertake a different course of studies to be able to serve at Delbarton. I had a acquired some proficiency in German and was asked to do some more coursework in order to be able to teach German. Long story short, I ended up getting a Masters degree in German from Middlebury College Language Schools over the course of four summers. After completing my degree and thus getting my summers back, I was given responsibility for the Abbey vegetable garden. In my early years in the monastery, I was put to work in the garden and discovered a real love for it. Since 1987 I have been growing organic produce on an almost one acre plot. For the next few years, I continued teaching and did some administrative work in the school and abbey. The next big change came in 1998 when I was asked to return to Rome and work at Sant’Anselmo. I spent another three years there serving as the Business Manager. I returned to Delbarton again in 2001 and went back to teaching and serving as subprior and prior of the monastery. In 2006, I was named headmaster of Delbarton and have served in that capacity since 2007. I have had a full and interesting life so far!