St. Bernard Abbey Vocations

Monday, February 4, 2013

A Monk and Seminarian: Br. Benedict

Br. Benedict Dyar, O.S.B., is currently in his second year of theological studies at St. John’s School of Theology-Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota. Br. Benedict entered the novitiate at St. Bernard Abbey in 2007, and professed solemn vows in 2011. He says that his favorite academic topic at St. John’s is “with out a doubt the monastic studies,” because he enjoys learning about, and developing a greater appreciation for, the early monastic fathers and mothers from whom we have ultimately received the Benedictine tradition.

During the recent Christmas break, the monks away at school returned home to St. Bernard. While home, Br. Benedict was installed as a Lector by Abbot Cletus. The office of Lector is the first of two minor orders (the second being Acolyte) before ordination to the diaconate. For Br. Benedict, “the thought of ordination to the diaconate and priesthood is both sobering and exciting.” He says that he desires to respond God’s will and wants to be a priest “for the people of God.”

I the early part of this summer, Br. Benedict will attend St. John’s Holy Land Tour. Afterward, he looks forward to spending the rest of the summer home at St. Bernard. His duties at St. Bernard include: Assistant Vocation Director, Socius for the novitiate and postulancy, and groundskeeping. Although Br. Benedict thoroughly enjoys his time at St. John’s, he says that he looks forward to the day that he can “come home permanently to serve our community.”

Vocation Presentation to Holy Spirit School

Fr. Jacob Amos, O.S.B., the Vocation Director of Saint Bernard Abbey, recently traveled to Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School in Huntsville, Alabama, to talk with students about vocations and monastic life.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

New Postulants Received

Austin Steel and Edier Ceballos were recieved as postulants at St. Bernard Abbey and clothed with the tunic (first part of the monastic habit) by Abbot Cletus at First Vespers of the Baptism of the Lord, on Saturday, January 12, 2013. They will spend several months becoming acquainted with monastic life before entering the novitiate.

Vocation Director, Fr. Jacob; Postulant Austin; Abbot Cletus; and Postulant Edier

Monday, September 10, 2012

Monks Set to Host Fall Vocation Retreats

This fall, the monks of St. Bernard Abbey will host two vocation retreats for men who are interested in learning more about monastic life and discerning their vocation. The "Men in Black" Retreat is for young men in high school (grades 9-12), and will take place on the weekend of October 26-28, 2012. The "Monastic Experience" Retreat is for adult men, and will be held on the weekend of November 2-4. During these retreats, participants live in the monastery guest rooms--very similar to the monks' rooms on floor below, take their meals with the monks in the monastic refectory, pray the Divine Office with the monks, and participate in various talks and discussions with different members of St. Bernard Abbey. There is also time for exposure to some monastic work, as well as recreation. If you or someone you know is interested in attending one of these retreats, or visiting the abbey at another time, please contact the Vocation Director, Fr. Jacob Amos, O.S.B., at brjacobosb@yahoo.com or 256-255-5801.

Men in Black Retreat, Fall 2010

Monastic Experience Retreat, Spring 2012

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Br. Anselm Kuehler, O.S.B., Professes Solemn Vows

By Br. Bernard Denson, O.S.B.

At the reception following Br. Anselm Kuehler's Solemn Monastic Profession, I found myself sitting at a fantastic table--with two classmates of mine from St. Bernard Prep School, and several members of Br. Anselm's family, including his parents. I could see the pride in his father's eyes as those of us who had had Br. Anselm as a teacher (he was then just called Mr. Kuehler) told his family just how much he meant to us. He was a great teacher, who made learning Theology fun and interesting. While we were in high school, Mr. Kuehler decided to answer God's call to become a monk at St. Bernard Abbey. It took some time for the students to adjust to his new name; for a while he was known as "Br. Mr. Kuehler." Br. Anselm will go down as one of my favorite teachers of all time, and for those SBP alumni who went to school here during the days of his discernment, today's profession was something very special: I think this is because many of us feel like we have been a part of his journey to this great day. For me, that's not just true as an alumnus, but also as a monk.

So, today--the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary--the monks of St. Bernard Abbey, the sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, visiting priests, many family members, and a large crowd of friends, gathered in the Abbey Church as Br. Anselm professed his solemn vows as a Benedictine monk. After reading his handwritten vows document to Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., and signing it on the altar, Br. Anselm sang the ancient "Suscipe" with arms extended in the form of a cross, lay prostrate on the floor as the Litany of Saints was sung, was covered in the funeral pall, and finally received the cuculla (pleated cowl worn by solemnly professed monks). He was then embraced by all solemnly professed monks of the community. It was a wonderful occasion for all. Congratulations, Br. Anselm!

Br. Anselm reads his vows before Abbot Cletus

Br. Anselm signs his vows document on the altar

Br. Anselm is covered with the funeral pall

Abbot Cletus clothes Br. Anselm with the cuculla

Prior Kevin and Br. Anselm pose for a picture after Mass

New Novices and Oblate

Last night during First Vespers of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., received two men as novices and one man as an internal oblate at St. Bernard Abbey. Having completed the summer-long postulancy, the three men have learned about our way of life by study and experience.

Having attended seminary at St. Bernard many years ago, Fr. James Pugh returns to us as a veteran priest from the Diocese of Memphis. His love for this place has been apparent through his determination to embrace the novitiate, despite his advanced age. In religious life he will retain his baptismal name and be known as Fr. James.

Fr. James receives the tonsure from Abbot Cletus

Daniel Sanchez comes to St. Bernard Abbey from Peoria, Illinois. Before entering the monastery, he was studying as a seminarian for his diocese. Upon entering the novitiate, he becomes the youngest member of both our community and congregation. In religious life he will be known as Br. Marion.

Abbot Cletus gives Br. Marion his religious name

Frank Tyler is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where he long worked with the Christian Brothers. A convert to Catholicism, he hopes to continue to serve the Church, now as an internal oblate at St. Bernard. In religious life he will be known as Br. John.

Abbot Cletus clothes Br. John with the scapular

Monk Camp 2012

The Vocation Office at Saint Bernard Abbey offers opportunities to learn about monastic life for several age groups. For young men in junior high, we host an annual "Monk Camp." This year's Monk Camp was held July 10 - 15. During the week-long camp, the boys we able to get a glimpse of monastic life by meeting several of the monks, participating in the monks’ prayers, and getting a tour of the monastery. Some of the monks gave talks on monastic subjects such as listening, community, and vocations. The camp was also full of fun summer camp activities like archery, kayaking, dodge ball, hiking and more! “The basic idea was to cross a vocation retreat with a summer camp, and it seems like it worked very well,” said Br. Bernard Denson, O.S.B., one of the directors of the camp. The young men who attended all had a great time; many of them commented on how much they learned about monks, and also said they wanted to come back next year. For more information about Monk Camp, contact the Vocation Office at 256-255-5801.