Saint Anselm Monastery has celebrated the jubilees of two of its members, Fr. Finbar O’Mahoney, O.S.B., and Fr. Placidus Riley, O.S.B.

Fr. Finbar marked his 65th anniversary of monastic profession, at the same time Fr. Placidus celebrated his 60th anniversary of profession of monastic vows. Fr. Finbar also celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination.

“The vows faithfully fulfilled for 65 and 60 years of our senior confreres are a witness more powerful than words to one who is just beginning in God’s service, and to all of us,” said Abbot Matthew Leavy, O.S.B., in his homily during a Mass to celebrate the anniversaries.

Fr. Finbar was ordained in Ireland and came to Saint Anselm in 1960 after transferring his vows. He taught in Ireland, the Bahamas, and California, as well as at Saint Anselm College, where he said he was a “holy terror” as dean of students.

“Here in the monastery and in the college his Finbarian Maxims have become legendary,” said Abbot Matthew.

“I wasn’t typical as a Benedic-tine,” Fr. Finbar said. “I was a member of a founding community of a new monastery (Glenstal in Ireland). At age 40, I had gone through every job you can have in a monastery. If I were young, I would do it all again.”

Fr. Placidus, who led the college as president during the turbulent late 1960s and early 1970s, is a native of Concord, N.H. A 1942 graduate of Saint Anselm College, he served as dean of the college both before and after his time as president. In the 1980s, he was treasurer at Woodside Priory School in California.

“Like Finbar, Placidus is never at a loss for words, but instead of flowing from his mouth, they flow through his fingers as they hit the computer keyboard and are printed out in the smallest possible typeface, which itself has become legendary,” said Abbot Matthew. “We call it Placfont.”

“After 60 years of living in the Saint Anselm community, I can say that it is a life of many great rewards and I invite young men of all walks of life to consider joining us in our work of prayer, education, and service to others,” said Fr. Placidus.