Paoli Abbey Gets New Abbot In Longtime Homeless Advocate

PAOLI, PA – Daylesford Abbey in Paoli has a new Abbot in a longtime advocate for the homeless in the Philadelphia area, the abbey announced.

Rev. Domenic Rossi, O. Praem, was elected Abbot of Daylesford Abbey, the Norbertine Roman Catholic community in Paoli on Jan. 23.

In 1979, Rossi founded the nonprofit organization Bethesda Project, which shelters and serves the chronically homeless people at 14 sites around Philadelphia.

Between his two terms of service as Bethesda’s chief executive, Rossi was pastor of St. Norbert parish in Paoli from 1997 to 2010, where he was known for his moving homilies, soaring singing voice and fervor for the faith.

"I’m 68 years old and I don’t know of a time since I’ve been alive that was more polarized than now, even at the height of the Vietnam War," Rossi said. "Even sometimes in the Church we see elements of division."

His call to be a unifier was inspired by the founder of his religious order, the 12th-century saint, Norbert, who was known as a reconciler, and by Jesus, Rossi said.

"In a sense, my ministry at Bethesda was a reaching out to people on the margins the way Jesus did," he said.

He said people who have different opinions – politically or otherwise – "may be tempted to demonize those with other opinions."

"We have to be able to see beyond our differences, to find unity in Christ," he said. "We should look at 'the Christ' in the other first, before we divide ourselves."

The new Abbot expects to celebrate Daylesford Abbey's 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning Mass about once a month, beginning Feb. 4.

"The Abbey is here for the faithful," he said. "We welcome new people to worship with us and to participate in our spiritual renewal and service programs."

Pictured above from left are Abbot General Thomas Anton Handgrätinger, O. Praem, Abbot Domenic A. Rossi, O. Praem.

Image via Daylesford Abbey