What the monks Mean to me

An Interview with Therese Aaker, Benedictine College, ’14

Tell us a little about yourself:

My name is Therese Aaker. I’m a junior at Benedictine College and a Mass Communications major with an Art minor. I’m from Apple Valley, California. My home parish is San Secundo D’Asti. I want to be a writer for a women’s magazine, movie critic and mom.

Tell us why you personally appreciate the monks:

The monks remind us, by their religious life, of what we were put on this earth to do: find union with God. They also provide the spiritual fatherhood students of this campus need and enrich our sacramental life. I also really appreciate their spiritual direction!

In your opinion, what is the benefit of having the Abbey on the campus of Benedictine College?

They hold the spiritual sphere together here on campus and simply by being present with us, keep us accountable and remind us of what kind of lifestyle we should be striving for. Any time they interact with me, I feel God’s joyful spirit in them!

What would your experience at Benedictine College be like if the Abbey and the monks weren’t on campus?

It would be so much harder to deepen my faith; the sacraments wouldn’t be so readily available to us, and we would have no spiritual directors!

Are there any monks in particular that have been a blessing to you?

Father Justin Dean was my spiritual director last year, and he really helped guide me through some difficult times. I also love Father Jeremy Heppler’s homilies! They always seem to come at the perfect time.

Do you have any specific stories or anecdotes you could share about how the monks have impacted you or someone you know?

When I was still on the softball team here, I pitched some balls to Father Justin. He hit a few! It was cool to see a monk in every day clothes.

I also loved making peanut brittle with the monks! It was great seeing them doing their everyday work, in normal clothes, living a normal life. It was great getting to know them in that way!