RETURNINGTHEGIFT the first profession of br. jerome simpson
What was your experience like as you prepared to enter the monastery? The morning before our postulancy we had prayed in the cemetery – and the weight of the community just hit me. There are more than 200 men buried here, men who have gone before me, and I was and am inspired by their dedication. Some saw the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the changes in the church at Vatican II – I began to realize that, through it all, there is a sense of family and patrimony that now has been passed on to me and my brothers today.
What did you think when you heard the Abbot announce your name? Abbot James told me that he hadn’t decided until that morning, and I had no idea what to expect, but I was excited when I heard him announce ‘Br. Jerome.’ It’s my legal middle name, but also my greatgrandfather who was a really strong Catholic presence in my family. He was a single father most of his life and passed the faith onto my grandmother who was a strong influence on my faith. I think it’s the same with St. Jerome, the way he led his community in Jerusalem. It’s a recognition of the fact that my family was so important as I gave myself over to God; I was glad when I received that name.
As you wrote the letter requesting to profess vows, were you nervous? I started writing the letter before I had really made up my mind, and I felt that God was challenging me to take a step back and really pray with this decision. As I continued to pray I felt encouragement in my prayer – that I don’t have the strength to do this on my own and I’m going to have to rely on faith to pursue a vocation like this.
What was your first profession like? I was very surprised that all my friends and family were there, I didn’t expect them and it was a gift to see them there. I watched Br. Florian going through the steps first and I started to get a little nervous, but I had a large sense of trust through it all. I was giving myself in freedom, not out of some sense of pressure or duty, but out of love. Not going through [my novitiate and profession] on my own was a blessing; having Br. Florian go through all of this with me has been a real gift. Also realizing that all the people there are a part of who I am, whether through friendships or family. They’re imperfect people just as I am, but God works through them. I’m not a perfect person, and God works through each of us; understanding that God reaches out to me through those people, through the events in my life, and I am just thankful for that as I give myself in my vows.
How is monastic profession similar to the Sacrament of Marriage? Christ gave himself freely to us on the cross. I think all men, when we see the cross, we feel a call to manhood and a call to give ourselves, and women, too. It’s a reflection of the spousal relationship. Giving myself in vows was the first step in giving the totality of myself back to Christ who has already given me his whole self. I can give Him my whole self and let Him transform me into something else. As I discerned my own vocation, I felt Christ giving Himself to me in monastic life, so I wanted to return that gift.
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Kans a s M onk s
