Not Afraid

It is 10:30 a.m. Saturday

August 4. Outside, the weather in Atchison, Kansas is unusually calm, an 88-degree break from the scorching heat that has ravaged the Heartland and been the trademark of the worst drought in America in the last half-century. Inside St. Benedict’s Abbey Church, there is a similar calmness in the face of what could otherwise be a temperature-raising experience. A young man dressed in a black habit stands by an altar in front of a congregation of friends and family. He is about to make a solemn vow: A promise to commit his life wholly and without reservation, not to a young bride, but to Jesus Christ and the community of Benedictine monks. It is a narrow path, a road not taken by many. It is meant to be irrevocable. On this year’s Feast Day of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, Brother Simon Baker professed solemn vows to the monastic community. By taking solemn vows of stability, conversion to a monastic manner of life and obedience, Brother Simon has committed to live the rest of his life in the monastic community at St. Benedict’s Abbey. The community, in return, promises to support him in his commitment. Brother Simon, whose baptismal name was Carl Simon Baker, was born on November 7, 1984, in Independence, Missouri. He is the son of Rick and Terri Baker of Kansas City, Missouri; his siblings are Ruth (33), Luke (31), Anna (29), and Katie (25). He grew up in St. Mark’s and St. Regis parishes and graduated from Bishop O’Hara High School. “We are blessed to have Brother Simon become a permanent part of our community,” said Abbot Barnabas Senecal, “Today is a great day for the monks at St. Benedict’s Abbey.” The ceremony of solemn profession, and the whole monastic life of prayer and service, provides a good expample for us to follow. Hopefully each of us can also show commitment in all the facets of our lives. Professing voes, whether as a monk or a spouse, can be very intimidating. But Brother Simon is not afraid of commitment. Although his solemn profession is an immensely serious and life-changing decision, he is at peace. He enjoys the calm resolve of a man who has responded to Saint Benedict’s exhortation to “prefer nothing whatever to Christ.” “I first realized in college that faith is not just some commitment to an abstract code of morality,” Brother Simon said. “It is about a person: Jesus Christ. Once I Before coming to St. Benedict’s Abbey, Brother Simon earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics, and a master’s degree in education from Rockhurst University. He also played soccer for the University. learned about him, I wanted to do everything I could to be close to this man who claimed to be God, was put to death and then rose from the dead.” “Since my commitment is to a person I can trust, I have peace,” Brother Simon said. “My life is in his hands. I know he’ll take care of me.” In 2008, Brother Simon decided to enter the monastery at St. Benedict’s Abbey. On August 15, 2009, he professed first vows. Solemn Profession is the final step in what is typically a four-to-five year formation period. To become a fully-professed Benedictine monk, a man must first enter the order as a postulant. After several months, he may then request initiation into the novitiate. During the novitiate, which is a year in length, the monk takes classes on subjects such as monastic practices, Church teachings, the Rule of Saint Benedict (which has guided the Order for 1500 years), BeneBrother Simon is currently studying for the priesthood at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. After two years of philosophical study at Benedictine College, he is on pace to be ordained a priest in 2015. dictine history, Scripture, and more. During this year, he works closely with the novice master, who is the mentor for the novice monk in the monastic way of life. The novice moves to the next period of formation when he professes triennial or “first,” vows. During the next three years he moves more fully into the life and work of the monastic community. It is a process—a journey—that, from beginning to end, is rooted in commitment. Brother Simon has embraced that commitment, not with fear, but with joy. Brother Simon’s education is funded, in part, by generous gifts from the supporters of St. Benedict’s Abbey. If you would like to join those who are sponsoring his education please contact the Abbey Development office at 913.360.7897. Thank you for helping facilitate his commitment to the monastic life. If you would like to correspond with Brother Simon, contact him at BroSimon.osb@gmail.com. 11