The Professions

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.

novitiate entry

4:50 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.

4:58 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.

5:30 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.

5:34 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. 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.

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.

5:50 P.M.

first profession

1:15 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.

5:29 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. 5:32 P.M.

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.

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.

6:12 P.M.

6:49 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.

solemn profession

10:20 A.M. 10:56 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. 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.

11:12 A.M.

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.

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

11:25 A.M.

11:30 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.

11:20 A.M.

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.

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.