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)