Kansas Monks Sneak Preview

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WHAT IS A MONK?

praying & working as men of obedience, stability, and conversion for 160 years Winter 2017

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Kansas Monks 4 - From the Abbot

Abbot James discusses our relationship with God: prayer.

6 - The Stages

We take a look at each stage of monastic life from postulancy to solemn profession.

8 - The Vows

Benedictine Monks profess unique vows; we learn more about what they are and what they mean.

10 - The Habit

The monastic habit is an outward sign of the monk’s internal journey.

12 - A Day in the Life

27 - Supporting the Monks

18 - The Professions

28 - The Postulancy

What do you do all day? We spend a day in a monk’s shoes (or sandals).

A look at the novitiate entrance, first vows, and solemn professions in December 2017.

22 - Br. Placidus Lee

Thoughts on being a junior monk and teacher.

24 - Fr. Jay Kythe

Fr. Jay reflects on monastic formation.

26 - Br. Pius Rombach

The newest member of the monastery discusses life as a novice and coming to the Abbey.

Steve McBride explains why he supports the monks as a Partner in Stability.

Fr. Jay discusses serving as postulant director and Br. Florian and Br. Jerome reflect on their time in the postulancy.

30 - Eight Decades

We look at the life and ministry of Abbot Barnabas Senecal.

35 - Joining the Society

Stephen & Celia Noffke discuss joining the Society of St. Benedict.

in the next Kansas Monks • 2 0 1 8 A b b o t ’s Ta b l e L u m e n V i t a e m e d a l i s t s : L o u i s e N a u m a n n & h e r s o n A r c h b i s h o p J o s e p h F. N a u m a n n a n d t h e D u n n F a m i l y • F r. J a y d i s c u s s e s t h e “ N o o n - d a y D e v i l ” – A c e d i a • and much more...

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Kansas Monks

GR ATITUDE Whi l e th i s i ssue of Kansa s Monk s may no t c a r r y th i s th e me , I fe el th at i t ’s i mp o r t a nt th at I expre ss my g rat itude to the s e K a ns a s Mo nk s .

When I w a s j u st 1 1 ye ars old, my m o th er a ske d me, “ wo ul d yo u l i ke to g o to O l y mp i c D e v el op m ent S o ccer C amp, or wou l d yo u l i ke to g o to C a mp St . M aur? ” I c a n n e v er b e cer t ain why, but for s o me re a s o n I ch o s e C a mp St . M aur. At th e t i m e i t m ay h av e b e en the g u arante e d t r ip to Wo rl d s o f Fun – o r th e pro sp e c t o f s p end in g a w e ek w i th my cou sins (who were, a nd rema i n to th i s d ay, my b e s t f r i e nd s ). Fo r s o m e re a s on I ch o s e C amp St . Maur.

At th e ti m e it s e eme d an insig nif ic a nt d e c i si o n, b ut i n t r uth , th at 1 1 - ye a r- o l d d e c i d e d th e a rc of my ent ire life. At c amp I fo und my f i rst , a nd p erh ap s mo s t b el o ve d , j o b .

I foun d a j ob at Maur Hill-Mount Ac a d e my th at wo ul d a l l o w me to p ay fo r co l l e g e ; B en e di c ti n e C olle ge, where I would b e g ui d e d b y th o s e sa me B e ne d i c t i ne mo nk s .

Perh ap s m o st imp or t antly of all, b e c au s e o f c a mp I me t a g i rl ; a g i rl wh o h a d re ce i v e d th at sa m e B ene dic t ine e duc at ion and wo und up at th at s a me c a mp; a g i rl wh o to d ay i s my w i fe.

Mu ch ha s o cc ur re d since my 1 1 - ye a r- o l d s el f d e c i d e d to s e e wh at Atch i s o n h a d to of fer ; bu t I c an say now that , w i th o ut a d o ub t , th e mo nk s h ave g i ve n me a l l th at I h av e. When I lo ok around at th e e nd o f th e d ay, my l i fe i s a pro d uc t o f th e env i ron m ent that ha s b e en c re ate d b y th e mo nk s . My ph i l o s o phy, my f a i th , e ven my f a m i l y, a re g if t s that have come f rom th e mo nk s . Th e re i s l i ttl e I c a n say o th er tha n , “tha n k y ou.”

That p h r a s e, “thank you,” c annot b e g i n to a r t i c ul ate wh at I h ave b e e n g i ven, b ut I hop e th at i t i s enoug h. There i s noth i ng I c a n d o th at c a n e ve r re p ay th e g i f t th at I hav e re cei v e d.

S a nt a C l au s i s re al — and he we ars a b l a ck h ab i t .

- J . D. B en n i ng Edi tor, Ka nsa s Monk s , B C ’ 0 8

A S W E P R O G R E S S I N T H I S WAY O F L I F E A N D I N FA I T H , W E S H A L L R U N O N T H E PAT H O F G O D ’S CO M M A N D M E N T S , O U R H E A R T S O V E R F LO W I N G W I T H T H E I N E X P R E S S I B L E D E L I G H T O F LO V E .

-r u l e o f s t . b e n e d i c t , p r o lo g u e : 49 Winter 2017

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New life.

It is an occasion of great joy for any family – and our monastic family is no different. In 2017 we had a grace-filled triduum-of-sorts, welcoming new novices on December 7, witnessing a first profession on December 8, and celebrating the culmination of the monastic formation process as two men professed solemn (lifetime) vows on December 9.

The monastic life is a process – these events are buttressed together to remind us that just as the monastery was constructed, stone by stone, so too is the monastic life a layered process. It is our hope that, over time, we will each be strengthened through our prayer life, through our community life, and through our apostolic works. And that when we reach the ultimate summit – the end of our earthly life of prayer and work – our souls are a reflection of the monastery in which they were formed – and our monastic vows the foundation upon which all of our being rests.

In these pages we look back at the transformative moments from December 2017 and ask that you join us in praying for these men, for who we give thanks and praise to almighty God.

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DAY 1 - DECEMBER 7 novitiat e en t ry 4:50 P.M.

Vespers comes to an uncharacteristic halt – Timothy and Peter are called forward and asked, “what do you seek?” Standing before the Abbot, Novice Master, and the gathered crowd they reply, “The mercy of God, and the fellowship of this community.”

The Abbot explains that the novitiate is both a joy and a challenge.

5:34 P.M.

Fr. Blaine plays softly on the organ as people file into the Church.

Br. Timothy lights the candles and prepares coals for the incense as the monks put on vestments for their various roles.

5:30 P.M.

Fr. Jay Kythe steps aside to retrieve the habits and copies of the Rule of St. Benedict for the incoming novices. Fr. Jay, as Novice Master, will spend the next year guiding the new monks in their discernment.

5:40 P.M.

The monks come forth, one at a time, to greet their newest brothers in Christ.

At the conclusion of Vespers the community processes out of the church. As the doors close the monks applaud the novices, welcoming them again as brothers.

4:58 P.M.

The monks line up in statio (order of rank) in the vesting area behind the Abbey Church. At the head of the line postulants Timothy (above) and Peter (right) stand in silence as they prepare to enter the Church and leave their old lives behind.

Peter is called to kneel before the abbot and is invested in the monastic habit. After receiving his Rule Abbot James announces that he shall henceforth be known as Br. Florian. With that he leaves his former life behind to begin anew in the monastery.

Similarly, Timothy is called forward and the abbot declares, “you will henceforth be known as Br. Jerome.” These men are bound by no vow and may freely leave at any point during their novitiate year.

5:50 P.M. Winter 2017

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DAY 2 - DECEMBER 8 f irst pr of es sion 1:15 P.M.

5:32 P.M.

The monks take their places in the Choir section of the church and the final moments of Br. Pius’ journey as a novice are underway.

5:55 P.M.

Abbot James presents Br. Pius with the monastic hood, the next piece of his habit, offers him the sign of peace, and instructs him that his vows are binding for three years, at which time he can apply for solemn professon.

6:49 P.M.

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Kansas Monks

5:29 P.M.

Br. Pius receives some last minute instruction in the singing of the Suscipe, a prayer for acceptance into the monastic community, from Schola Master Fr. Meinrad Miller.

Br. Pius is called forth by Fr. Denis Meade, his Novice Master. Abbot James explains the monastic vows and recalls moments from Br. Pius’ Novitiate, including instructing him that he had two months to submit his application to profess first vows – Br. Pius’ application was on the Abbot’s desk the next day.

6:12 P.M. As Mass concludes Abbot James raises his hands once more over Br. Pius, offering him a blessing to begin his time as a junior monk and entrusts him to the care of Fr. Simon Baker, the Abbey’s Junior Master.

After receiving their final instructions, the monks, priests, and servers line up to process into Mass. Br. Pius takes his place at the front of the line behind the servers and takes a few deep breaths as he eagerly awaits the coming rite.

6:08 P.M.

After signing his profession of vows on the altar Br. Pius stands before the altar and crucifix, arms outstretched, and sings the Suscipe in Latin - Suscipe me, Domine, secundum eloquium tuum et vivam, et non confunda me ab expectatione mea – Receive me, Lord, as you have promised and I shall live; do not disappoint me in my hope. The monks respond with the same prayer, confirming Br. Pius as a member of the monastic community.

DAY 3 - DECEMBER 9 s olemn pr of es sion

10:20 A.M.

Friends and family of Br. Placidus Lee and Fr. Jay Kythe (above, left) file into the Abbey church and greet the nearly solemnly professed monks with hugs and well-wishes.

11:12 A.M.

The monks chant the Suscipe together, praying that they be received into the embrace of the Lord in the monastic community.

11:30 A.M.

10:56 A.M.

Just as they did at their first profession on December 8, 2014, Br. Placidus and Fr. Jay come before the abbot and he recounts the journey that led them to solemn profession and discusses the step that they are about to take – committing themselves fully and permanently to a life of stability, obedience, and conversion as monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey. Fr. Jay will begin service as Novice Master and Br. Placidus will continue as a religion teacher at Maur Hill-Mount Academy.

After the Abbot affirms the intentions of the candidates and before they profess their vows, Br. Placidus and Fr. Jay lie prostrate before the altar as the congregation and monastic community pray the Litany of the Saints.

11:25 A.M.

During solemn profession, after having professed their vows and prayed for acceptance, the monks are covered with the funeral pall, symbolizing their final death to their old lives and their new life with Christ in the monastery.

While monastic formation never truly ends, solemn profession concludes the formal process.

Br. Placidus came to Benedictine College, not knowing monastic life was in his future.

11:20 A.M. After the profession Mass Fr. Jay announced excitedly, “I’m not used to saying this – I was a diocesan priest!” Fr. Jay came to the Abbey from Minnesota after serving in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

11:21 A.M.

Having received their cucullas and Mass having come to a close, the joy from the profession is palpable.

The entire Church buzzes with excitement as the gathered crowd rushes to the back of the church to congratulate Br. Placidus and Fr. Jay on taking this ultimate step in monastic life.

Winter 2017

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Kansas Monks

What changes have you felt within yourself over your three years as a junior monk?

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF

I have noticed my general anxiety level has lowered. I am sure part of it comes from the routine nature of our horarium, but part of it also has stemmed from the vow of obedience. This vow frees you from having to worry about many details of your life, such as personal bills, where your meals will come from, or many of the other concerns of life outside of the monastery. I am free to focus my time, energy, and anxieties on the two things I am asked to do: pray and work. My prayer stays focused more often since I am not worrying about these sorts of details, and I am able to be so much more joyful in my work assignments (primarily as a high school religion teacher) than I ever could have been teaching outside of the monastery.

W h a t a r e y o u m o s t l o o k i n g f o r w a rd t o a f t e r y o u r s o l e m n p ro f e s s i o n ?

I am looking forward most to my vow of stability becoming permanent and becoming one of the living stones that make up this community. I first made this vow three years ago, but in solemn profession I’m here for good. We may date our profession back to our first profession, but it is solemn profession that makes us a full and permanent member of this community. The monks that have gone before me are now officially family for me. I know, for certain, that I am part of the legacy of this community, adding to the foundations already laid by past monks, and leaving behind some part as well, even if I just lay a single brick in that legacy. It will also be nice to have some sense of finality and closure to have my vocation figured out!

W h a t i s t h e g r e a t e s t l e s s o n yo u h av e l e a r n e d d u r i n g f i r s t vows ?

Perseverance. Staying behind the commitments I made during my simple vows has been challenging at times. Our simple vows of obedience, stability, and conversion through a monastic way of life are made for three years. Other religious houses or orders may do these three a year at a time, but we do it the whole three years at once. There were times that, had I been offered the opportunity, I may have taken the way out because the life became difficult.

I am glad I didn’t have that opportunity because I was able to see the truth in my calling. Everyone’s lives have periods of struggle, not just monks.

Knowing that I had made a commitment to God for those three years helped me learn to persevere through adversity and hardship to finally discover that this really is God’s plan for me.

As a teacher, what about today’s youth encourages you for the future of the Catholic Church?

There is a genuine desire for something that is true in the youth today. That may mean they challenge or question a teaching of the Church, but as I tell them all the time, if they seek what is really true and good and not just what current society tells them is true and good, I am convinced they will always end up back at the Church. I am also always surprised at how quickly they can dive back into the spiritual side of things when they go on retreat. They might complain that they have to hand over their phones and unconnect for awhile, but they liven up and dive right in, back to the search for what’s true, because deep down, they know they aren’t finding it on their phones!

Some of the most enlightening comments and penetrating questions about God and the Faith I’ve heard have come from the youth!

BR. PLACIDUS LEE • Parents: Tad and Tommie Lee • Born: November 26, 1986 • Hometown: Mobile, Alabama • First vows: December 8, 2014 • College: I started at Auburn and transferred to Southern Catholic College. SCC closed suddenly and I, with a few others, wound up at Benedictine College • Favorite saint: St. Padre Pio has been a huge influence in my life over the years! He still follows me!

• Favorite devotion: Sacred Heart / Divine Mercy • Reading now: “The Cut Flower Garden” by Erin Benzakein • Favorite food: Seafood. Always seafood.

• Favorite childhood toy: The Megazord from the original Power Rangers.

• Favorite place: Yellowstone National Park • Best job I ever had: Groundskeeping, maintenance, and high ropes facilitation at Covecrest, a Catholic summer camp in Georgia.

• Worst job I ever had: Lab worker at a geotechnical engineering firm.

• If I weren’t a monk, I’d be: Either a park ranger, teacher, or starting my own flower farm.

• You didn’t know: I wouldn’t be at the monastery if one of my colleges hadn’t closed!

• Why I want to be a monk: God has called me here! The community life is a huge attraction for me.

• Qualities I admire in other monks: The ability to take things in stride, a solid prayer life, and staying active even when you get older.

• Best advice I’ve received: The devil doesn’t want you in the monastery, so he’s going to try to get you out. Keep up your prayer life and he can’t win.

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W h a t h a s b e e n t h e g r e a t e s t l e s s o n yo u h av e l e a r n e d d u r i n g yo u r t h r e e y e a r s o f f i r s t vows ?

The motto of our Abbey is Dominus Providebit – The Lord will provide. I have marveled at how the Lord has provided for me throughout my life and continues to do so. There is a rebellious spirit in all of us, especially in me, that wants me to maintain control over my life, and it often takes His Divine initiative of love to reign in this rebellious spirit! These last three years of monastic life have helped me to understand how much the Lord loves me and desires to care for me. Only in this context can I surrender control of my life over to Him. He has manifested His loving care for me primarily through my confreres. Chapter 72 of the Rule speaks of how we must put up with each other’s weaknesses, and my brothers have done that often for me, making me marvel at how much the Lord provides for me through them.

I came to monastic life, and I learned that I am the grateful recipient of much love. I also learned to expand my heart in loving my confreres. There is that old saying that “charity begins at home,” and if I can be charitable in this new home, I can be charitable anywhere! My brothers have taught me how to be charitable and how to expand myself to their service, especially when my rebellious spirit may not want to.

H ow h av e yo u b e e n c h a l l e n g e d d u r i n g t h e s e three years?

I came to monastic life thinking that it would be less busy than my former life as a parish priest, and in some ways it has been more busy. My challenge has been to find a healthy sense of balance that includes good leisure along with prayer and work. The horarium in monastic life has been most helpful, providing a backbone and structure to my day, teaching me that prayer is the most important thing there is. With that I can fit everything else into my day, around the set times of the Liturgy of the Hours. And those things I cannot fit easily – especially the many emails I get – I surrender to Him who can handle those concerns better than I can. I learned how much I was really “addicted” to staying busy, and I had to learn how to slow down and enjoy this beautiful life that God has given me. Opportunities for recreation and leisure lift me away from the busyness and let me seek Him in peace and interior silence.

A s yo u m a k e t h i s c o m m i t m e n t to St . B e n e d i c t ’s A b b ey , w h a t a d v i c e wo u l d yo u g i v e to f u t u r e m o n k s a n d a nyo n e d i s c e r n i n g r e l i g i o u s l i f e?

Be open to how the Lord wants to surprise you! The only reason a man joins a monastery is “to seek God.” Look for Him, for you will find Him “peeking” back at you. The primary way He does this is in prayer. Monks participate in two “L’s” in their life: liturgy and lectio. In both these ways God desires to speak to us. He communicates to us through this Opus Dei – the “Work of God” – which in fact is less our work and more God working on us!

How does the practice of the Liturgy of the Hours and the sacrifice of the Mass change us? And how can you pray and rest in Him in your times of private lectio? There are many other ways that the Lord wants to surprise us with His presence: community life, planting gardens, the apostolate, good hobbies, leisure, the very stones of the monastery that shout out stability, the guests that come to visit us, etc. I encourage you to be open and look at how the Lord wants to surprise you daily.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF

FR. JAY KYTHE • Parents: ​Prem Kythe (father) and Bhagwan Devi “Kiran” Kulshrestha (mother, deceased) • Hometown: ​New Orleans, Louisiana • First vows: December 8, 2014 • Seminary: Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity, Saint Paul, Minnesota • Priestly ordination: ​May 25, 2002​ • Favorite saint: Saint John of the Cross, because I want to love God like he does​ • Favorite devotion: The Way of the Cross • Reading now: Too many books • Favorite food: My mom’s yellow rice with a mint buttermilk sauce​

• Favorite childhood toy: ​The Millennium Falcon filled with my Star Wars action figures​ • Favorite place: Along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain (the place no longer exists, where I used to have picnics with my family) • Best job I ever had: ​Being a parish priest​ • Worst job I ever had: B ​ eing a parish priest​ • If I weren’t a monk I’d be: lost.

• You didn’t know: I converted from Hinduism.

• Why I want to be a monk: ​I believe this is the place God has called me in order to love me here, in this way, so I can get to heaven.​ • Qualities I admire in other monks and priests: Daily perseverance in ​monastic prayer • Best advice I’ve received: “Stay close to Jesus!” – from a retired priest upon my becoming a pastor

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What first attracted you to monastic life?

Growing up, my parents instilled a great sense of family in my sister and me. This, I believe, is the key factor in why I desire to become a Benedictine monk. We hung out a lot as a family, as well as with our family friends, who would come over every Friday just to be together.

Because of this, I love community. I love not only to be around people, but to be with those whom I know and share a close relationship. As I started to feel a call to follow Christ in the religious life it felt like a perfect fit for me – especially when I came to know the monks here during college. I saw how they loved one another and truly enjoyed each other’s presence. I also saw how they were annoyed by each other, but they kept loving with great patience and mercy – that, I wanted. I felt called to Benedictine life knowing I wouldn’t be moved around; being in one place, I would get to know and love my brothers.

W h a t a b o u t y o u h a s c h a n g e d s i n c e yo u entered the Abbey?

Since I’ve entered the monastery I have been told by numerous beloved family and friends that it seems like I took a “chill pill.” Of course, we never see our poor qualities, so this was a surprise to me, but not an insult. I must have been a very excited person, even though some brothers would say I still am! I’m sure this came from simply the calm, peaceful atmosphere of the cloister.

W h a t a d v i c e wo u l d yo u g i v e s o m e o n e w h o i s g o i n g t h ro u g h t h e d i s c e r n m e n t p ro c e s s ?

To anyone discerning a religious or priestly vocation I would say, try to find a home in these places you are curious about. The reason I came to St. Benedict’s Abbey was because it already felt like home – I was very comfortable coming to St. Benedict’s. Also, offer your discernment to our Blessed Mother.

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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF

BR. PIUS ROMBACH • Parents: Bill and Penny Rombach • Born: December 5, 1995 • Hometown: Washington, Missouri • Favorite Saint: Padre Pio; he is whom I am named after. I read a biography of him by C. Bernard Ruffin early in my re-conversion to my faith, which was a big inspiration to me. Since then, Padre Pio has been a great help for me; I especially admire his quote, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

• Favorite devotion: the Rosary • Reading now: The Diary of St. Faustina • Favorite food: Good polish sausage and sauerkraut • Favorite childhood toy: Honestly it was one after the other.

• Favorite place: Germany, though I’ve never even been.

• Best job I’ve ever had: Bailing hay. The simplest job for good money.

• Worst job I’ve ever had: Dishwasher duty back home. Something about being home makes you not want to work.

• If I weren’t a monk I would probably be: a fireman or an auto-mechanic.

• You didn’t know this but: I really do have the cutest baby nephews in the world.

• The qualities I admire in the other monks: The constant mercy and patience they have for me (and their willingness to play board games).

• Best advise received: “Don’t run around with roman candles!”

why I joined the

p a r t n e r s i n

s t a b i l i t y Ste ve McBr ide , B C `77 The monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey are an example of living Catholicism. The Rule of St. Benedict offers us principles of how we should live and treat one another. If everyone followed the examples of the monks – following Christ in the service of the Lord, prayer, work, restraint of speech and humility – the world would be a better place. For me the monks are the soul of my alma mater, Benedictine College. They help keep the compass pointed in the right direction, that of faithful service to God. The Benedictine monks have impacted my life in so many ways.

First, Father Nicholas recruited me to attend Benedictine College.

It was there I met my lifelong mentor and friend, Father Bertrand LaNoue. Father Bertrand demanded that I always give my very best even when I wished to do less. He helped instill in me those Benedictine values of ora et labora, pray and work, that have helped me my entire life both at work and at home. Pray and work could not be stated more simply or more powerfully. Work hard, pray, serve God through his many ministries and be a supportive husband and father. Over time we have developed friendships with some of the other monks including Abbot James who celebrates Mass for our annual Class of 1977 golf outing.

Partners in Stability is just a small way that I can say thanks and give back for all the things the Abbey has given me. For me this goes to the essence of stewardship, the responsibly to ensure the continued success of something I consider important to the way we live and for our everlasting souls. My parents and then the monks of St. Benedict’s Abbey gave me great examples of being proper stewards to our faith. My model of stewardship includes giving 10 percent of my income to religious and charitable organizations. In deciding which organizations I will support every month, the Abbey is an easy choice.

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St. Benedict’s Abbey Atchison, Kansas

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Winter 2018 | Volume 12 | Number 2

s av e . t he . dat e

honoring:

Louise Naum ann and her son

Archbishop J o s e p h F. N a u m a n n

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The D u n n Fa m i l y

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