Incoming Novice

Shawn Machia

During Morning Prayer, on July 10, Shawn will be clothed with the monastic habit and begin the year long novitiate.  For St. Benedict, the meaning of the novitiate year is quite simple, yet touches the depth of the human heart: "The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and trials" (RB 58).  Living the monastic life, as a year of discernment, the novice monk shares the communal life of the monks.  Under the care of the Novice Master, Shawn will discover what it means to "seek God" in this monastery, seeking God through a regular routine of prayer, study, work, and recreation.   

"Listen carefully, my son, to the Master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.  This is advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice" 

(Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict)   

4 Novices to Profess first Vows

Br. Basil, Br. Rafael, Br. Theophilus & Br. Miguel

"Let easy admission not be given to one who newly comes to change his life; but as the Apostle said, 'Try the spirits, whether they be of God' (1 Jn 4:1).  If, therefore, the newcomer keeps on knocking, and after four or five days it is seen that he patiently bears the harsh treatment offered him and the difficulty of admission, and that he perseveres in his request, let admission be granted him." (From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict-Ch 58)

On July 10, after living the monastic way of life for one year, studying the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and learning the Psalter, four men will profess the Benedictine Vows of Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life.

By the Vow of Stability they will commit their lives to one specific monastery - St. Vincent.  By the Vow of Obedience they will place themselves under the leadership of the Abbot, and by the Vow of Conversion of Life they will bind themselves to the observance of all the specific disciplines of monastic life such as celibacy and poverty.

Congratulations Brothers!

"Sustain me oh Lord as you have promised that I may live and disappoint me not in my hope"

Psalm 119

Junior Monk Camp 2012

From June 11 - 23 St. Vincent's three Junior Monks (Br. Canice, Br. Joachim & Fr. Killian) joined the Junior Monks from nine different monasteries (Mary Help of Christians Abbey, St. Benedict's Abbey, St. John's Abbey, Mount Angel Abbey, St. Bede Abbey, St. Anselm Abbey, St. Martin Abbey, St. Meinrad Abbey & Monastery of the Holy Cross) at Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska for the Annual Benedictine Junior Camp Retreat.

During the retreat the young monks had a wonderful chance to experience life at a different monastery, meet other young monks, and learn about various monastic topics such as the Life of St. Benedict according to Pope St. Gregory the Great's Dialogues, the Material Culture of Medieval Monasticism and the History of the Missionary Benedictines.

Diaconate Ordination

Congratulations to Br. Maximilian and Br. Jeremiah who were ordained to the Diaconate by the Most Reverend Lawrence E. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg, on Saturday, April 14, 2012. As Deacons, they will serve the Church as Ministers of the Word, of the Altar, and of Charity. Through their new duties, may they be recognized as disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who came to serve, not to be served.

Come & See

Saint Vincent Archabbey will host an Easter Triduum "Come and See" discernment weekend for single Catholic men ages 21-40 on April 5 - 7, 2012. A "Come and See" weekend is a no-strings-attached chance to spend time learning about the life of Benedictine Monks of St. Vincent Archabbey. Come pray with us, talk with our junior monks, meet our older brethren, and most of all listen for the voice of Christ who continually calls men to a life of work and prayer in service to the Catholic Church. For more information about the weekend, life as a Benedictine monk, or to schedule another time to visit the Abbey please contact Fr. Bonaventure Curtis, OSB at 724-532-6655 or by email at: bonaventure.curtis@email.stvincent.edu

To read more on the Icon: www.comeandseeicons.com