Becoming a Monk

If you have never heard of a monastery, here is the simplest answer: “A monastery is the place where monks live, work and pray.” Sometimes you hear it called an Abbey. Benedictines call themselves “monks” and live in a monastery.

Certain men in religious orders refer to themselves as “monks.” For the Benedictine monks of Mount Angel Abbey, or monastery, all the members are monks but only some are ordained priests. A religious brother-monk is addressed as “Brother” and a priest-monk is addressed as “Father.” All of us are monks.

St. Benedict was a monk who lived from 480 to 543. He was from a town in Italy called Norcia. When he was young he went to school in Rome but decided to become a monk. First he lived alone in a cave called Subiaco. Later he became the head of a monastery at Montecassino in Italy. He was then known as an abbot. While he was there he wrote a little book called The Rule. It became the rule of life for monks in other monasteries, too. Since they followed The Rule of St. Benedict, they became known as Benedictine monks and lived in Benedictine monasteries or abbeys.

Discernment –  A candidate to become a Benedictine monk of Mount Angel is encouraged to attend at least one 3-day discernment retreat. He stays in our guesthouse, but eats and prays with the monks. He may extend his stay upon approval of the monastic vocation council and live inside the cloister for a week, joining the monks in prayer, work and recreation. This is also the period where one seeks approval to apply to enter the monastery.

Postulancy – A candidate is received to live inside the cloister at Mount Angel Abbey. He receives a tunic and follows the daily monastic horarium (schedule, and is assigned housework while he seriously discerns his monastic vocation in our Benedictine monastic community.

Novitiate – As the novice continues his quest to know God’s will for him, he is provided with an in-depth focus on the customs, history, and traditions of monasticism at Mount Angel. He also studies Scripture, the Psalms, and the Rule of St. Benedict. The novice receives a scapular and will be presented to the monastic Chapter after one year to petition to make simple vows.

Juniorate – A junior monk at the Benedictine monastery of Mount Angel Abbey makes simple vows for three years and commits to live out his monastic vows with fidelity and fervor. He receives a full habit and a new name to mark his transformation to a life according to the way of the Gospel and the Rule of St. Benedict.

Solemn Vows – This final taking of solemn vows is for life. It is a lifelong commitment to live the commands of the Gospel through fidelity to the Benedictine monastic vows of obedience, stability, and ongoing conversion of life. The monk may aspire to respond to the call of Holy Orders as a fruit of his monastic gift.