Becoming a Monk

The journey to becoming a monk of Mary Mother of the Church Abbey takes various stages. It is a process of prayerful discernment between the candidate and the monastic community and, above all, the Holy Spirit.

a)      First steps:  Men between the ages of 21 and 45, who feel a call to the monastic life, begin by getting in touch with the abbey’s Director of Vocations who, through correspondence, gives them an over-view of monastic life and an invitation to make a few visits to the abbey.

b)      Monastic live-in experience:  Twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, the monastic community sponsors a Monastic Live-in Weekend for men in the above age group who may be discerning a vocation to the monastic life.  These aspirants participate in the full life of the community (prayer, work, meals, recreation).  Through this interaction those who are discerning a monastic vocation will get a better knowledge of monastic life and of the monks themselves.

c)      Candidacy:  If, after the Live-in experience, an individual feels he is called to the monastic life he may ask to be accepted into the monastery as a candidate.  He will make his formal request to begin a six-month period as a candidate.  He will live the full monastic life but will not receive the monastic habit at this time.

d)     Novitiate:  Toward the completion of the six-month period, the candidate may request admittance to the novitiate.  Upon his acceptance for the novitiate by the Monastic Chapter, he will begin his year of intensive formation which includes Benedictine and general spirituality, a detailed study of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, monastic history, and liturgy.  A daily work schedule is an integral part of the novitiate program.

e)      Monastic Profession (Simple Vows):  At the end of the novitiate the novice requests to profess first or temporary vows.  The Monastic Chapter, after hearing an evaluation of the novice’s progress during the novitiate, votes on his acceptance into the monastic community for, normally, a three-year period. The monastic vows he promises are: Stability, Conversatio Morum (a promise to work each day at living the monastic life) and Obedience.  The promises of poverty and celibacy are included in the vow of Conversatio Morum. SeeMonastic Profession Pictures

f)       Final Profession (Solemn Vows):   At the end of the three-year period of Simple Vows, the monk may request Solemn Vows, thus becoming a life-time member of this monastic community. 

g)      After final Profession the monk’s formation continues through worship, liturgical and private prayer, daily spiritual reading, spiritual conferences and work.  He may go on for further training through workshops and/or other studies including preparation for the priesthood.

h)      The primary work of a professed monk is to seek God by following the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict as practiced in this particular Abbey. His main obligations are to prayer and to service of his brothers in the monastic community. Outside the monastery, our monks may do various jobs.  Some teach in the abbey’s high school, or work as chaplains in schools, hospitals, prisons, and neighboring convents. Other monks are involved in the operation of the Retreat Center at the Abbey, the tailor shop, kitchen, and the gardens.

If you have any questions, please contact the Abbey Vocations Director