COME AND SEE
Welcome to the Benedictine Monk Ministry of the Monastery of San Juan Diego
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Who is Saint Benedict?
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. |
Are you being called to our way of life?
Have you ever considered becoming a Benedictine Monk?
"As we progress in this way of life and faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments,
our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love."
-The Holy Rule of St. Benedict
How do you know if you should apply?
In truth, initially that is probably something impossible to know. If in your heart and soul there is some interest in the monastic life, and what you know about us seems to confirm or enhance that interest then you should probably find out more. Writing to us, as you have, is a good first step. You may have questions arising from your own life, situation and discernment to date to discuss. We can do that. At an appropriate stage you can come and spend some time living with us, praying with us and working with us. One doesn’t usually “apply” to a monastery and then wait for a letter of acceptance or refusal by return as one might with employment. Rather, one grows into a monastic family gradually, indeed naturally, so that the application letters and references, etc., whilst necessary, should be more of a formality by the time they need to be done.
Of course, knowledge of the Rule of Saint Benedict, of the life of St Benedict written by St Gregory the Great, and of other monastic literature, would be good. We can give you some suggestions for reading. So too, your practice of the basics of Catholic life – participation in Holy Mass and the worthy reception of Holy Communion as frequently as possible, regular confession, daily prayer (if possible, from the Divine Office), is essential if you are to be open to the promptings of God’s grace in respect of a possible monastic vocation.
Our formation?
It is fairly standard in respect of monastic life. Men accepted for formation spend at least three months as a postulant before clothing as a novice. Novicate is a minimum of one year but may be extended as necessary up to two. At least three years are spent in simple vows before solemn profession.
Novices study of the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Psalms, monastic history, Gregorian chant, English as necessary according to the candidate and their education to date and learn appropriate practical skills. After simple profession the junior monk will continue his formation and studies according to his abilities and the monastery’s needs, some commencing philosophical and theological studies with a view to ordination, others in more specialised areas. Our community is open to men who have the desire and ability to become monk-priests and to those who seek the monastic life without ordination. Solemnly professed monks are encouraged to continue appropriate study and formation.
Whilst this is a basic structure – which certainly includes essential elements of formation laid down by the law of the Church – it is not a contract. If you join us there will be prayer, work, the practice of fraternal charity, and much more besides. God’s Providence will fill out the details. Perseverance in the daily generous and faithful living of the monastic life alongside your brethren is the best and most essential formation. If you are able to commit to the daily exigencies of that the formal stages or steps in monastic formation will occur naturally, in their proper context, in God’s good time.
Of course, entering monastic formation involves the renunciation of many freedoms (real or apparent) that one has in the world. Postulants and novices are asked to limit their use of the internet or social media presence and whilst they are free to write to family and friends, or telephone family occasionally on greater feasts, their first duty is to grow into their new family in the monastery. Appropriate contact is possible, and family can visit – though not every week! It’s a question of stepping back sufficiently even from some good things, breaking bad habits where they exist (particularly in respect of the internet), using the space that this affords to grow in one’s monastic vocation, and then in due course of reengaging from the perspective and with the discipline of a monk. Our professed monks can visit their families when this is appropriate, and it always a joy to welcome their families to the monastery.
Qualifications necessary?
It’s probably better to speak of dispositions than qualifications. The basic spiritual dispositions were mentioned above, and one needs to be in good health. If one reads the Prologue of the Rule of Saint Benedict it is clear that the monastic vocation is a call to return to the faithful and fruitful living of the Christian life. It is about the conversion of my life in the disciplined “school of the Lord’s service”, as Saint Benedict describes the monastery. This is perhaps the most fundamental qualification: my desire and will to leave behind my sloth, my sins – small or large – and to learn through my observance of the Rule and perseverance in charity how to “run with unspeakable sweetness of love in the way of God’s commandments.”
To be sure Benedictine monks are literate, intelligent disciples and a good education is helpful. An openness to, indeed a thirst for, further learning is important. But monastic history teaches us that many a monk who may never have been able to author a learned tome was nothing less than an accomplished professor in the school of the Lord’s service. Generosity of heart and soul, humility, good will and indeed good humour are all necessary for the monk—and we must all learn them. Indeed, we must come to have all those things which contribute to a tangible fraternal charity which truly loves and respects our brethren as we seek that conversion of our lives to which we are called.
How to proceed with your discernment?
Well, be careful not to become caught up in the popular pelagian “discernment” process where what “I” am looking for is at the centre, rather than an openness to discovering what God may be calling me to become. I must place myself and my will at His disposition and be prepared to go and become and do that which He calls me to be where He wills. If you seek His Will with these dispositions, and are truly ready to abandon your own, you shall not go wrong: his grace will sustain you (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7-10). Indeed, you will begin to be able to respond to and realize the challenges and possibilities He has in store for you.
You will know what Almighty God is calling to do when you sense – and test appropriately over time in the different stages of formation – that thirst, that excitement, that romance even, for a monastic ideal that with God’s grace seems somehow realisable in you, and through your own cooperation with God’s call, with this or that particular group of people. It is not unlikely that the sensation of this possibility will come as quite a surprise: it will not come as the product of a ‘safe’ or calculated discernment, but will be a prompting of God’s grace in your heart and soul that is indeed pure grace. Its working out over time may well be very different from what you imagine at the beginning, and will certainly not be without difficulties and real challenges, but as you grow and mature in your vocation, its authenticity will be clear, and perseverance in fidelity to it will bring you salvation (cf. Mt 24:13).
Discerning a vocation to the monastic life is best done by personal experience and an encounter with the monks behind the cloister. We, Monastery of San Juan Diego, open our door to men at least 18 years old who are discerning a vocation to come and join us for a three-day monastic discernment experience. While on retreat, you can expect to:
How to become a monk:
Discernment- A candidate is encouraged to attend at least one 3-day discernment retreat. He may extend his stay with the monks upon approval of the monastic vocation council, to live inside the cloister for a week and join the monks in prayer, work and recreation. This is also the period where one seeks approval to apply to enter the monastery.
Postulency- A candidate is received to live inside the cloister. He receives a tunic and follows the daily monastic horarium (schedule), attends formation classes, and is assigned with house works while he seriously discerns his monastic vocation in our community.
Novitiate- As the novice continues his quest to know God's calling, he is provided with an in depth focus of our customs, history, and traditions of monasticism, the Scripture, the Psalms, and the Rule of St. Benedict. He receives a scapular and will be presented to the monastic Chapter for petition for simple vows after one year.
Juniorate- A junior monk makes simple vows for three years. It is a commitment 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.
Solemn Vows- This final vow is for life. It is a lifelong commitment to live the commandments of the Gospel through fidelity to the 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.
WHO CAN BECOME BENEDICTINE MONK
A candidate for our way of life is:
If you meet these guidelines and are discerning a vocation, please contact the Monastery directly: 575-751-8531.
Thank you for your interest.
It is a great sign of hope for the Church that young men in our day take the question of the possibility of a monastic vocation seriously. Almighty God will bless and reward you for so doing.
Discernment Retreats for 2020
March 12-15, 2020 **Cancel** Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
June 4-7, 2020 **Cancel **Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
September 17-20, 2020
Interested? Email the Monastery
[email protected]
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Discerning a Vocation
Called: New Thinking on Christian Vocation
by M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, Minneapolis, MN: The Seabury Press, 1983
Getting a Life: How to Find Your True Vocation
by Renee M. Lareau, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003
If Today You Hear His Voice
by Roch Kereszty, O. Cist. North Hills, CA: Rogationist Publications, 1998.
Vocations Anonymous: A Handbook for Adults Discerning Priesthood and Religious Life
by Kathy Bryant, RSC. Chicago, IL: National Coalition for Church Vocations, 1997.
Wise Choices: A Spiritual Guide to Making Life's Decisions
by Margaret Siif. New York, NY: Bluebridge, 2004.
In truth, initially that is probably something impossible to know. If in your heart and soul there is some interest in the monastic life, and what you know about us seems to confirm or enhance that interest then you should probably find out more. Writing to us, as you have, is a good first step. You may have questions arising from your own life, situation and discernment to date to discuss. We can do that. At an appropriate stage you can come and spend some time living with us, praying with us and working with us. One doesn’t usually “apply” to a monastery and then wait for a letter of acceptance or refusal by return as one might with employment. Rather, one grows into a monastic family gradually, indeed naturally, so that the application letters and references, etc., whilst necessary, should be more of a formality by the time they need to be done.
Of course, knowledge of the Rule of Saint Benedict, of the life of St Benedict written by St Gregory the Great, and of other monastic literature, would be good. We can give you some suggestions for reading. So too, your practice of the basics of Catholic life – participation in Holy Mass and the worthy reception of Holy Communion as frequently as possible, regular confession, daily prayer (if possible, from the Divine Office), is essential if you are to be open to the promptings of God’s grace in respect of a possible monastic vocation.
Our formation?
It is fairly standard in respect of monastic life. Men accepted for formation spend at least three months as a postulant before clothing as a novice. Novicate is a minimum of one year but may be extended as necessary up to two. At least three years are spent in simple vows before solemn profession.
Novices study of the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Psalms, monastic history, Gregorian chant, English as necessary according to the candidate and their education to date and learn appropriate practical skills. After simple profession the junior monk will continue his formation and studies according to his abilities and the monastery’s needs, some commencing philosophical and theological studies with a view to ordination, others in more specialised areas. Our community is open to men who have the desire and ability to become monk-priests and to those who seek the monastic life without ordination. Solemnly professed monks are encouraged to continue appropriate study and formation.
Whilst this is a basic structure – which certainly includes essential elements of formation laid down by the law of the Church – it is not a contract. If you join us there will be prayer, work, the practice of fraternal charity, and much more besides. God’s Providence will fill out the details. Perseverance in the daily generous and faithful living of the monastic life alongside your brethren is the best and most essential formation. If you are able to commit to the daily exigencies of that the formal stages or steps in monastic formation will occur naturally, in their proper context, in God’s good time.
Of course, entering monastic formation involves the renunciation of many freedoms (real or apparent) that one has in the world. Postulants and novices are asked to limit their use of the internet or social media presence and whilst they are free to write to family and friends, or telephone family occasionally on greater feasts, their first duty is to grow into their new family in the monastery. Appropriate contact is possible, and family can visit – though not every week! It’s a question of stepping back sufficiently even from some good things, breaking bad habits where they exist (particularly in respect of the internet), using the space that this affords to grow in one’s monastic vocation, and then in due course of reengaging from the perspective and with the discipline of a monk. Our professed monks can visit their families when this is appropriate, and it always a joy to welcome their families to the monastery.
Qualifications necessary?
It’s probably better to speak of dispositions than qualifications. The basic spiritual dispositions were mentioned above, and one needs to be in good health. If one reads the Prologue of the Rule of Saint Benedict it is clear that the monastic vocation is a call to return to the faithful and fruitful living of the Christian life. It is about the conversion of my life in the disciplined “school of the Lord’s service”, as Saint Benedict describes the monastery. This is perhaps the most fundamental qualification: my desire and will to leave behind my sloth, my sins – small or large – and to learn through my observance of the Rule and perseverance in charity how to “run with unspeakable sweetness of love in the way of God’s commandments.”
To be sure Benedictine monks are literate, intelligent disciples and a good education is helpful. An openness to, indeed a thirst for, further learning is important. But monastic history teaches us that many a monk who may never have been able to author a learned tome was nothing less than an accomplished professor in the school of the Lord’s service. Generosity of heart and soul, humility, good will and indeed good humour are all necessary for the monk—and we must all learn them. Indeed, we must come to have all those things which contribute to a tangible fraternal charity which truly loves and respects our brethren as we seek that conversion of our lives to which we are called.
How to proceed with your discernment?
Well, be careful not to become caught up in the popular pelagian “discernment” process where what “I” am looking for is at the centre, rather than an openness to discovering what God may be calling me to become. I must place myself and my will at His disposition and be prepared to go and become and do that which He calls me to be where He wills. If you seek His Will with these dispositions, and are truly ready to abandon your own, you shall not go wrong: his grace will sustain you (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7-10). Indeed, you will begin to be able to respond to and realize the challenges and possibilities He has in store for you.
You will know what Almighty God is calling to do when you sense – and test appropriately over time in the different stages of formation – that thirst, that excitement, that romance even, for a monastic ideal that with God’s grace seems somehow realisable in you, and through your own cooperation with God’s call, with this or that particular group of people. It is not unlikely that the sensation of this possibility will come as quite a surprise: it will not come as the product of a ‘safe’ or calculated discernment, but will be a prompting of God’s grace in your heart and soul that is indeed pure grace. Its working out over time may well be very different from what you imagine at the beginning, and will certainly not be without difficulties and real challenges, but as you grow and mature in your vocation, its authenticity will be clear, and perseverance in fidelity to it will bring you salvation (cf. Mt 24:13).
Discerning a vocation to the monastic life is best done by personal experience and an encounter with the monks behind the cloister. We, Monastery of San Juan Diego, open our door to men at least 18 years old who are discerning a vocation to come and join us for a three-day monastic discernment experience. While on retreat, you can expect to:
- Pray with the monks
- Join them for meals
- Tour the monastery
- Listen to conferances and vocation discernment stories
- Spend time in quiet prayer
- Discern your vocation with monks and other retreatants
How to become a monk:
Discernment- A candidate is encouraged to attend at least one 3-day discernment retreat. He may extend his stay with the monks upon approval of the monastic vocation council, to live inside the cloister for a week and join the monks in prayer, work and recreation. This is also the period where one seeks approval to apply to enter the monastery.
Postulency- A candidate is received to live inside the cloister. He receives a tunic and follows the daily monastic horarium (schedule), attends formation classes, and is assigned with house works while he seriously discerns his monastic vocation in our community.
Novitiate- As the novice continues his quest to know God's calling, he is provided with an in depth focus of our customs, history, and traditions of monasticism, the Scripture, the Psalms, and the Rule of St. Benedict. He receives a scapular and will be presented to the monastic Chapter for petition for simple vows after one year.
Juniorate- A junior monk makes simple vows for three years. It is a commitment 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.
Solemn Vows- This final vow is for life. It is a lifelong commitment to live the commandments of the Gospel through fidelity to the 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.
WHO CAN BECOME BENEDICTINE MONK
A candidate for our way of life is:
- between 18 and 55 years of age
- in good physical and mental health
- open to learning about and living a Benedictine Monastic life in the 21st century.
- committed to living the vows of celibate chastity, poverty and obedience.
- prayerful with the desire to mature in the spiritual life
- seeking to live and serve in fraternal communities
- a practicing Roman Catholic for at least two years after the completion of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion)
- free of significant financial and family obligations
- a high school graduate
If you meet these guidelines and are discerning a vocation, please contact the Monastery directly: 575-751-8531.
Thank you for your interest.
It is a great sign of hope for the Church that young men in our day take the question of the possibility of a monastic vocation seriously. Almighty God will bless and reward you for so doing.
Discernment Retreats for 2020
March 12-15, 2020 **Cancel** Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
June 4-7, 2020 **Cancel **Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
September 17-20, 2020
Interested? Email the Monastery
[email protected]
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Discerning a Vocation
Called: New Thinking on Christian Vocation
by M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, Minneapolis, MN: The Seabury Press, 1983
Getting a Life: How to Find Your True Vocation
by Renee M. Lareau, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003
If Today You Hear His Voice
by Roch Kereszty, O. Cist. North Hills, CA: Rogationist Publications, 1998.
Vocations Anonymous: A Handbook for Adults Discerning Priesthood and Religious Life
by Kathy Bryant, RSC. Chicago, IL: National Coalition for Church Vocations, 1997.
Wise Choices: A Spiritual Guide to Making Life's Decisions
by Margaret Siif. New York, NY: Bluebridge, 2004.
Thank you for your interest.
It is a great sign of hope for the Church that young men in our day take the question of the possibility of a monastic vocation seriously. Almighty God will bless and reward you for so doing.
It is a great sign of hope for the Church that young men in our day take the question of the possibility of a monastic vocation seriously. Almighty God will bless and reward you for so doing.