God’s Call
How t he M onk s Discer n God’s Wil l in Their L iv e s Discernment—it is central to religious life. Six monks share the story of how they discerned—or continue to discern—a vocation to the religious life. While we hope these testimonies provide inspiration for a general audience, we also hope they help others discern a vocation to religious life. If you know someone who might benefit from this article, please pass it along.
Prior Jeremy Heppler
Fa t h e r B r u c e S w i f t
B r o t h e r Ti m o t h y M c M i l l a n
I have known the Benedictines all of my life. My aunt, Sister Maria, is a sister of the Mount. For many years, we had the Heppler family Christmas party at her convent. While a student at Benedictine College, I befriended some of the monks and occasionally came to Evening Prayer. I also came to a deep appreciation of the Rule for its practicality and its simple, yet profound, spirituality. During my senior year, I began the process to become an oblate, through which I gained an even deeper love of Benedictinism. Still, I had no clue where God was calling me vocationally. After graduation, when I was a first year teacher, I asked Father Meinrad if I could come to the Abbey for a retreat. During that week everything – prayer, readings, conversations – had the same refrain, “come and see.” I spent much of that week arguing with God; but by the end of the week, he won. I would love to tell you that every moment since I joined has been everything I hoped for, but there were several times I was very close to leaving. Through much discernment, I realize that God has gently called me and continues daily to call me to “come and see,” to journey with my brothers under our Rule.
My path to religious life was probably different than most young men in the 50s. I was a student at St. Benedict’s College taking science courses with the thought of going into some branch of medicine and dating my high school sweetheart. During my junior year, I was curious about the monks living at the Abbey. In those days, most of the dorm supervisors and professors were monks. If one were in good standing with his prefect and teachers, he could spend a weekend living, praying and working with the monks. I asked Father Arthur, my prefect, if he would make arrangements for me. I came on a Friday after my classes and spent the weekend with the monks, getting up at 4:00 or 4:15 am to pray - all in Latin - and living the daily life of a monk. I fell in love with the place. I had never felt such peace before. Masses and worship were held at St. Benedict’s Parish church. Meals in the college were family style. After dinner, I would go to the church and pray a rosary, asking for some sign. During my senior year I made another visit to the monastery and God answered my prayers. After graduation I became a novice and have been here ever since, being professed for 58 years.
For me, discernment requires an active pursuit of God’s will, always being open, continually offering yourself to Christ in the sacraments, and developing a personal relationship; consuming the peace that is found in his presence. As a student at Benedictine, I didn’t know much about the monks. During my junior year, I had been trying to figure out what God was calling me to do with my life. Almost effortlessly, I met several monks and my openness to the religious life began to expand with my growing love of the Catholic faith. I took part in spiritual direction, visited with the monks and continued to consult my thoughts in adoration and daily Mass. My vocation became more clear as I spent time in silence with our Lord. During one of my theology courses, I was assigned to read the Rule. The life and guidelines of St. Benedict inspired me. It strengthened my desire for Christ and I could no longer restrain my attraction to the lifestyle of this humble saint. I recently professed first vows as a monk, but that does not mean I am done discerning. I still continue to balance my life with the duality of work and prayer, I want to make sure this is what I want, that I will continue to find my spiritual conviction in God. He alone will solidify my life choice.
Benedictine Since 2003
6
Kansas Monks
Benedictine Since 1955
Benedictine Since 2012
