Br. William Makes Solemn Vows

On March 30, 2022, Brother William McMillan, O.S.B. made his solemn profession of monastic vows in the presence of Abbey Superior Edward Seton Fittin, O.S.B., the St Mary’s Abbey monastic community, Delbarton School students, faculty, and staff, as well as his family and friends. 

The eldest son of Bill and Susan McMillan, Brother William was born on October 1, 1988 (the Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux!). He was raised in Union, NJ with his siblings, Sarah (now a wife, mother, and elementary school teacher) and Brian (a Computer Science major at Seton Hall University). He graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, NJ in 2006. He matriculated to Syracuse University and graduated in 2010 with degrees in English and Magazine Journalism. Following graduation, Brother William worked for five years in marketing at Investors Bank in Short Hills, NJ. 

He is an avid reader and enjoys exercising, sports, movies, music, and an occasional adult beverage! He has developed a love for the martial arts, especially Brazilian jiu jitsu, thanks to our Fr. Demetrius Thomas, O.S.B., with whom he continues to train. He has not, however, developed a love for constantly getting beaten by Fr. Demetrius in said martial art.

Having lived in the monastery for more nearly six years, Brother William is known among us for his pragmatic approach to life, sense of humor, and care of the aged and infirm monks of our community. He is in his third year working for Delbarton School, where he teaches freshmen and sophomore English, serves as Varsity Basketball Chaplain, and coaches Middle School Baseball. He also served as Varsity Baseball Chaplain in 2021.

After his solemn profession, Br. Will had this to say:

“Thank you, first, to my family. My parents instilled in me, right from the start, the importance and value of the Catholic Faith, even and especially when I wavered. My siblings made it easy to be the older brother, and they continue to inspire me with everything they do. I am also grateful to my extended family, who have always offered unwavering support in all my endeavors. My friends have been and continue to be a source of comfort, humor, and well-being.

My co-workers at Investors Bank, especially my former boss Scott Agnoli, who took me under his wing and who I’m now grateful to call a friend, were a wonderful group of people to work with. Thank you to my martial arts coaches Bo Walaszek and Dayn DeRose, whose generosity and guidance have helped me grow, both on and off the mat.

It is only in looking back and reflecting that one realizes every person you meet has made some kind of impact on your life, whether they are parents, siblings, extended family, friends, priests, religious, coaches, teachers, students, or strangers! Thank you to each and every one of you.

Thank you, again, to the St. Mary’s Abbey monastic community and Delbarton School community, for welcoming me with open arms back in August 2016. Having visited three times prior to officially entering the monastery, I had some idea of what to expect, but much of what I have experienced since then has been very much unexpected in the best way possible The amount of people I have had the pleasure to meet, as well as the amount and variety of activities in which I have had the privilege of participate, continues to amaze me. It has been an honor to participate in the life of the community here. I continue to receive the best support possible from my fellow monks and the Delbarton faculty and staff. I hope I have provided and can continue to provide a benefit to the community here in return.

To the students: thank you for making my job easier and more enjoyable (for the most part). Your attitude, creativity, generosity, sense of humor, and work ethic continue to motivate me to be a better person and teacher. I leave you with a challenge: as you press on with your academic journeys, see if you can carve out a few minutes for God each day. Ask Him what He wants from you. You may be surprised, as I was, with His answer.”

Join us in gratitude to Almighty God for this new member to our monastery as we continue to pray for and support him along the path that God has set before him in this school of the Lord’s service.