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By: Jeffery Smialek, O.Carm.
On a beautiful Friday after Thanksgiving Day, November 24, Carmelites from around the world gathered at Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, to witness the Solemn Profession of Vows of Brother Herman Sylvester Kinzler, O.Carm. The Very Reverend Joseph Chalmers, Prior General of the Order, presided and received Herman’s vows.
Herman was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1959, the son of Herman and Mildred Kinzler. He is also the cousin of the late Father Leonard Kinzler, O.Carm.
Herman did his undergraduate - studies at Duquesne University, and holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He spent several years working in investments and as a management consultant before entering the Carmelites.
Brother Herman always had a close relationship with the Carmelites and was a long time member of a Third Order chapter in the Pittsburgh area. It is notable to mention that Herman also professed his Solemn Vows as a Third Order Carmelite to the Prior General, Joseph Chalmers, in the Summer of 1999.
Herman had a long vocation story and is famous for out-living two vocation directors, Father Terry Pfender, and Father Jack Lord. He did finally enter the Carmelites in the Fall of 2001, doing his pre-noviate in Houston, Texas. He professed his simple vows following his novitiate in June of 2003.
Brother Herman has been engaged in a wide variety of ministerial experiences. As a pre-novice he volunteered in the Under the Bridge Ministry, which serves the homeless in Houston. As a novice he taught religious education in a local parish. Brother Herman was assigned to Niagara Falls for his internship. There he split his time between the Spiritual Centre and Saint Patrick’s Parish. At the Carmelite Spiritual Centre, Brother Herman was responsible for being a minister of hospitality to the retreatants and visitors, sacristan for the chapel and even managed the book store. At Saint Patrick’s he served as an instructor in the RCIA program, as well as doing preparation for baptism, confirmation and funeral vigil services.
Brother Herman began his theology studies at the Washington Theological Union in the Fall of 2004. In the course of his studies, Herman did chaplaincy training experience at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He spent last summer in El Salvador, learning Spanish and ministering at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish there. Currently during this school year, Brother Herman is working with the social justice committee of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men.
Brother Herman is looking forward ordination as a deacon (most likely this May) and as a priest (the following year). He looks forward to a career spent in parish and retreat ministry within our province.
Congratulations Herman!
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