Professed

Benedictines make vows which are almost unique among religious, and which make our lives recognizable: stability in community, conversion through a monastic way of life and obedience.

Monastic stability means that a monk belongs to Saint John's Abbey. A monk casts his lot with this particular group of brothers for his spiritual and material needs; he shares the community's work and joins his future to that of the monastery.

The vow of conversion embraces the essential aspects of monastic Christianity: dedication to prayer, celibacy, sharing of material goods in community, a life of simplicity.

Benedictine obedience is willingness to live according to the guidance of the Rule, steady listening to the teaching of the abbot, and attentiveness to one's brothers in community.

The following is an overview of how one becomes a monk of Saint John's Abbey:

Explorer

You start exploring Benedictine life by visiting our community and sharing in our prayer and work, You will have the assistance our our vocation director, and you will be remembered in our daily prayers. This is a special time of listening: to God in prayer, to others in the advice they offer you, and to your heart as you reflect on your experiences and your future. If you apply for admission to candidacy, the admissions committee will meet with you and determine whether you are ready to take the next step.

Candidate

As a candidate, you will be invited to cime for a three-month period to live, pray, and work in the community, If you decide that you want to continue your monastic journey, and the community decides your are suited to monastic lfie, you may ask to be accepted as a novice.

Novice

As a novice, you will live in the novitiate for a year of intensive formation, praying with the monks, and studying monastic spirituality and history and the Rule of Saint Benedict. You will also work at various tasks in housekeeping, in the retirement center, and in the Abbey gardens, offices, and shops. Saint Benedict writes that the concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God; that is, do you show eagerness for the work of God (community and private prayer), obedience, and for humble tasks of service?

Junior

If you choose to make profession of first vows and are accepted by the community, you will continue to study and live monastic life for a minimm of three years as a "junior" monk. These years are a time of ongoing discernment with the help of our formation director, a spiritual director, and your brother monks. You will also begin to participate more fully in the work of the community, perhaps as a teacher, woodworker, librarian, IT specialist, or number of other occupations. Throughout these years, you will grow in a deeper understanding of your commitment to the vows of obedience, stability, and conversion through a monastic way of life.

Senior

After a minimum of three years of temporary profession, if you and the community decide that you are ready, you will make your final, lifetime commitment of solemn vows to God and this monastery. As a "senior" monk, you will commit yourself daily to your vows by your active participation in our life of prayer and work so "that in all things God may be glorified"!

If you have any further questions please contact Br. Paul-Vincent at 320-363-2548 or email pniebauer@csbsju.edu

First Visit Application