“Let us get up, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say:  It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom. 13:11).  Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge:  If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts (Ps. 94: 8)”.

- Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict
 
 

Think You Have a Vocation?

   "The monk, like the good servant waiting for his Lord perseveringly in the monastery intent upon the tools of the spiritual craft, hastens to the Kingdom's joys, which he experiences in the world, in anticipation through faith.  Making use of this world as though he were not using it, living in the world but at the same time practicing flight from the world, the monk becomes a sign of witness in the Church and in the world of the coming of the Reign of God” (Declarations, Chapter 5, nos. 88&89).

Qualifications

     To become a monk does not have a specific academic requirement (besides a high school diploma or GED), but a level of maturity and character suited for life in a religious community is necessary   A candidate must be a fully initiated Catholic (having received the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist and confirmation) and have a desire to serve God through work and prayer in the context of a supportive community.  The candidate must be free from financial debt or other legal obligations.  Being guided by his confreres, he will be able to begin the life-long task of perfection in the monastic life.

Stages of Formation

1.  Candidacy - the initial stage in which a man inquires about the community (through phone calls or letters) and begins his preparation for entry into the monastery.  Eventually, visits will be arranged in which the candidate can live with the community and experience life in the monastery.  During this time he is to prepare his documentation (sacramental certificates, medical, academic as well as references) and satisfy any financial debts.
2.  Postulancy - after all the documentation has been collected and the candidate desires to enter the monastic life, he can begin to live with the community.  During this time he will become more familiar with the daily schedule and the demands of monastic life.
 3.  Novitiate - under the guidance of a novice master, to help the candidate recognize the gift of his vocation, a one year period of preparation is begun for the profession of monastic vows.  The novitiate year will include further formation on the Christian life, prayer, the vows, the Holy Rule, and the life and history of the congregation.
4.  Temporary Profession - after the novitiate the novice makes the profession of monastic vows.  Each year for three to six years, the vows can be renewed in preparation for the Solemn profession.  During the years in temporary profession, guided by a director, the junior monk continues his formation in the monastic life.  During this time he may also begin or continue studies in preparation for the priesthood or other areas of academic fields of education.
5.  Solemn Profession - after three or more years of temporary profession, the junior monk presents a written petition to be accepted for the solemn profession of vows.  If he is admitted, he can profess vows which will bind him to the commitment of monastic life.  The solemnly professed monk continues to use the “tools of the spiritual craft” for the perfection in monastic life and Christian virtue.  If the monk has studied for the priesthood, he would at this point be able to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.

   If you believe that God might be calling you to our monastic way of life, feel free to fill out our Initial Vocations Inquiry Form (it is not an application and holds no obligations) to begin a process of discernment with our community.