Vocations Archive
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Entering St. Anselm's Abbey as a Postulant
by Kevin Kennedy

I'd always felt I was searching for something, but I could never put my finger on it. Deciding to enter a monastery is something I would never have anticipated doing, but when I look back at my life I can sometimes recall tendencies within myself that almost seem to be foreshadowing. Following a series of conversion experiences, I returned to the Catholic Church three years ago after being away for most of my teens and twenties. Around this same time, I moved from the city I was living in to a Virginia horse farm, where I've been working as a groundskeeper and living as a sort of part-time, self-made monk (the sort of "monk" St. Benedict warns about in his Rule!)

I'd been discerning a monastic vocation, with varying levels of certainty, ever since my return to the Church. Anyone who has experienced the discernment process in today's world knows the confusion and contradicting desires that can go on. But I knew sooner or later I'd have to stop ignoring and pushing away the signs that were pointing toward monastic life.

I'd been introduced to St. Anselm's Abbey by my RCIA instructor who is a graduate of the Abbey school. I was later invited there to attend a monastic experience weekend, which I enjoyed, but it seemed to pass so quickly that I didn't really know what to make of it. Then about eight months later, I was invited a second time and began to experience a stronger pull. Because I'd never actively sought this monastery out for my own reasons, I started wondering if these invitations were trying to tell me something. Even though I was a little hesitant to continue on, I thought I'd better start listening more closely, so I accepted their second invitation and was more affected this time, particularly by the Divine Office and the Liturgy of the Mass. There was something about my experience that weekend that compelled me to go further.. even in spite of my fears and doubts. I knew I wouldn't be able to put these thoughts to rest without really giving the monastic life a more complete "trial run". So, thanks to the hospitality of the monks, I had the privilege of spending two full months as an observer, where I was able to live the monastic routine, participate in the Divine Office and the Mass, and learned the practice of Lectio Divina.

I also received introductory instruction in liturgy and spirituality from several of the monks, helped out with chores when needed, and there was plenty of time for solitude and silence as well. Those two months gave me a more concrete vision of what Benedictine life is really like. Like anything else in life it has many difficulties, and it's by no means an escape from reality. I'd say the most important things it provides to those who are seeking God is stability and community. It gives you a support network, a framework, or as Thomas Merton once described.. a scaffolding on which you build your way to God with the help of others.

After returning home from my experience at St. Anselm's, I decided to proceed to the next step by applying to enter their community as a Postulant. I've come to a point in my life when I know that unless I surrender myself completely to God without reservation, I'll always remain restless. Deep down this feels like the right step to take and I'm optimistic that this is the path I was meant to follow. All I have to do is keep trusting. One of the desert fathers called the monastic way the "King's Royal Highway".... a much straighter and smoother road toward God than what I've been traveling on so far in my life. I look forward to my Postulancy, and I hope for the possibility of one day becoming a professed Benedictine monk at St. Anselm's Abbey.

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My Vocation as a Benedictine Oblate
by Adam Kline

A vocation is a calling. I am, by profession, a teacher. I believe that I am called to be a teacher. But, I also have a spiritual side, which is not nourished by simply being a teacher.

My attraction to Benedictine Spirituality goes back many years and I have always been attracted to the monastic life, but I do not feel called to be a monk. I have found that through the process of my Oblation, I am able to combine those two parts of my life.

As an Oblate of St. Anselm’s Abbey I am linked to that community of monks through my daily praying of morning and evening prayer and through my participation in the Eucharist with the monastic community.

I am also nourished in my journey through the spiritual talks and discussions given by our Oblate Director. Becoming an Oblate has also brought me in contact with a group of lay people who are equally interested in Benedictine spirituality and I enjoy my interactions with them at our monthly Oblate Meetings.

If you are interested, come join us at the Abbey for the Eucharist, hospitality, and a spiritual talk on the first Sunday of every month.

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Questions frequently asked
about monastic life:

What is a monk?
“Monk” derives from the Greek “monos” = alone. The monk lives as a single person lovingly committed to prayer, work, interaction with his community and with those whom it serves. He and his brother monks keep a certain distance from the everyday world in order to foster an inner SILENCE open to God’s Word. more >>

Why does a monk spend so much time in prayer?
The common prayer of a monastic community (Opus Dei) forms the daily sacrifice of praise in which together we give back to almighty God in mind, heart and voice, gifts of life and love with which He endowed us in the first place. more >>

How do you become a monk?
Benedictine monks always belong to one particular community. A monastic vocation involves being drawn to one such community and asking for admittance. Then there is an extended period of probation on both sides. more >>

What are the main elements of monastic life at St. Anselm's?
All members of the community at St Anselm’s are involved in prayer and work, in other elements of the common life and in hospitality. more >>

What are the vows taken by a Benedictine monk?
At his profession a monk promises three things:
OBEDIENCE to his abbot (or prior) and his successors.
STABILITY to the monastery of his profession.
CONVERSION OF LIFE – a promise to remain faithful until death to the process of personal integration, of real openness to ongoing transformation by the Holy Spirit.

What does obedience entail?
The relationship between a monk and his abbot is not a military one, but human and spiritual. That is to say that both abbot and monk seek to understand each other in the light of the Holy Spirit, to know something of the other’s inner reality. Decisions are made within a process of discernment and dialogue. Ultimately the monk accepts the abbot’s decision as the command of Christ.

How can someone stay in the same place for his whole life?
Monastic profession is like joining a family. This is your community. It’s where you belong. The vow of stability does not prevent a monk from living elsewhere for a time for some good reason, such as perhaps study or work. A monk can never be made to go away except to a dependent foundation or parish.

Stability today is counter-cultural. We expect to travel, change our place of residence and even “reinvent ourselves”. The stability of a particular community over many years is a statement which can encourage other Church members to be faithful to their vocation.

What about poverty and chastity?
These are indeed part of a monk’s profession, though not explicitly so. St Benedict has much to say about poverty in the Rule. A monk should have all that he needs for his life and work – clothes, books, computer, furniture, pictures or whatever. But they are all the common property of the monastery. This gives monks both a freedom and a certain interdependence.

A monk s called, not just to chastity, as all Christians are, but to celibacy. This is a discipline or acquired virtue by which a man’s sexuality is directed to an awaremness and love of God in all people and all things.