Priest sprinkles holy water on Steelers end zones before clincher

Before the Pittsburgh Steelers became the AFC North division champions, a priest sprinkled the end zones with holy water. The blessing came from Father Maximilian Maxwell, prior of the Archabbey at St. Vincent’s in Latrobe.Maxwell was not originally supposed to be blessing the field. According to St. Vincent’s, Maxwell was actually stepping in for Father Paul Taylor, the college president.Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Ed DiOrio spoke with Maxwell, who said he is appreciative of the attention and positivity the game and the blessing have brought, but it’s something the college does every game for the team, not just special for Sunday night.Video: Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 coverage after Pittsburgh Steelers victoryIn addition, Maxwell said he would not be doing interviews out of respect for the team, saying the focus should be on the Steelers and their success.A statement from St. Vincent College on Maxwell’s blessing reflects his comments. “Every season, the Steelers begin their road at Saint Vincent College, and our partnership extends well beyond training camp. The blessing of the field at Acrisure Stadium is a tradition dating back to the stadium’s opening in 2001. Following the resodding of the field, it is blessed and prayers are offered by Saint Vincent priests like Father Maximilian Maxwell for the safety and health of all the athletes who compete there. This gesture reflects the broader pastoral outreach of our monastic community and the longstanding relationship between Saint Vincent and the Steelers. We have walked together for 60 years and will continue to be faithful to each other.”Those who see Maxwell often were not surprised by what happened Sunday night. “What happened last night was just genuine Father Max,” Parker Lynn, head of outdoor athletic facilities and assistant baseball coach at the college, said. “It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It’s just who he is. He’s an outlet for our students, athletes, coaches, staff, administrators and everyone else on campus.” Lynn said Maxwell is a beloved figure not just with the athletes, but all students. “He’s famous for walking around the cafeteria with his tray and stopping from table to table to talk and check in on people,” he said. “He wants to see other people succeed. He wants everything he does to be the benefit of others. was a perfect example of what we get to see every day here at St. Vincent with Father Max.”While Maxwell was honored to bless the field at Acrisure, it was not his first time. “He does that to every athletic facility on campus,” Lynn said. “He blesses the team practices, football field, basketball court, baseball and softball fields, and every facility on campus. He does that at Acrisure Stadium, he does that at St. Vincent College, and he’d do that at a local youth little league field. That’s just who he is.”Maxwell was announced as the new prior of St. Vincent Archabbey in August 2025. After the announcement, Maxwell said, “I am honored to be named prior of our monastic community.” He added, “As I step into this new role, I also share that my time as director of campus ministry at St. Vincent College has come to a close. These past four years have been filled with grace, growth and unforgettable moments of faith shared with students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni.”

PITTSBURGH —

Before the Pittsburgh Steelers became the AFC North division champions, a priest sprinkled the end zones with holy water.

The blessing came from Father Maximilian Maxwell, prior of the Archabbey at St. Vincent’s in Latrobe.

Maxwell was not originally supposed to be blessing the field. According to St. Vincent’s, Maxwell was actually stepping in for Father Paul Taylor, the college president.

Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Ed DiOrio spoke with Maxwell, who said he is appreciative of the attention and positivity the game and the blessing have brought, but it’s something the college does every game for the team, not just special for Sunday night.

Video: Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 coverage after Pittsburgh Steelers victory

In addition, Maxwell said he would not be doing interviews out of respect for the team, saying the focus should be on the Steelers and their success.

A statement from St. Vincent College on Maxwell’s blessing reflects his comments.

“Every season, the Steelers begin their road at Saint Vincent College, and our partnership extends well beyond training camp. The blessing of the field at Acrisure Stadium is a tradition dating back to the stadium’s opening in 2001. Following the resodding of the field, it is blessed and prayers are offered by Saint Vincent priests like Father Maximilian Maxwell for the safety and health of all the athletes who compete there. This gesture reflects the broader pastoral outreach of our monastic community and the longstanding relationship between Saint Vincent and the Steelers. We have walked together for 60 years and will continue to be faithful to each other.”

Those who see Maxwell often were not surprised by what happened Sunday night.

“What happened last night was just genuine Father Max,” Parker Lynn, head of outdoor athletic facilities and assistant baseball coach at the college, said. “It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It’s just who he is. He’s an outlet for our students, athletes, coaches, staff, administrators and everyone else on campus.”

Lynn said Maxwell is a beloved figure not just with the athletes, but all students.

“He’s famous for walking around the cafeteria with his tray and stopping from table to table to talk and check in on people,” he said. “He wants to see other people succeed. He wants everything he does to be the benefit of others. [Sunday night] was a perfect example of what we get to see every day here at St. Vincent with Father Max.”

While Maxwell was honored to bless the field at Acrisure, it was not his first time.

“He does that to every athletic facility on campus,” Lynn said. “He blesses the team practices, football field, basketball court, baseball and softball fields, and every facility on campus. He does that at Acrisure Stadium, he does that at St. Vincent College, and he’d do that at a local youth little league field. That’s just who he is.”

Maxwell was announced as the new prior of St. Vincent Archabbey in August 2025.

After the announcement, Maxwell said, “I am honored to be named prior of our monastic community.”

He added, “As I step into this new role, I also share that my time as director of campus ministry at St. Vincent College has come to a close. These past four years have been filled with grace, growth and unforgettable moments of faith shared with students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni.”