The Novitiate Entry of Br . Maximilian & Br . Angelus
There
i s a b u z z in the vesting area just behind the Abbey Church – a palpable anticipation permeates the room as the monks line up to process into the Church to pray Vespers. Monks vest in the attire appropriate to their role or status in the community. It is their custom to line up in statio, or community rank, with the newest members at the head of the line. But, at the head of this line are two men in button down shirts: Charles and Marty (at right, L to R). At least, those are their names for the moment. When they push the doors open their lives will be forever changed. Vespers begin as normal and the Abbot intones the prayer: “Let my prayer rise like incense before you, O Lord!” As they pray, the monastic community and all those gathered seek to lift the soon-to-be novices up, that the Lord will strengthen them in their pursuit of holiness and reveal his will to them. The Psalms have a calming effect – as the words of praise are offered to God, His presence can be felt in the Church. Charles and Marty have spent the last four months as postulants, praying and working alongside the monks, and these prayers offer a comfort and familiarity that is all its own. But just as that comfort came, the Psalms come to an end, and the Abbot rises and processes to the Altar, where Charles and Marty will leave their old selves behind. The Abbot is flanked by his brother monks, the server, Br. Jerome, and master of ceremonies, Br. Placidus, on his left; the Novice Master Fr. Jay and Fr. Simon on his right. He calls the candidates forward and asks, “What do you seek?” They respond in unison, “The mercy of God and the fellowship of your community.” Monastic life is encapsulated in this one statement, that they seek God and wish to so with a group of brothers, banded together by a common purpose. As they sit before the Abbot he instructs them as to what they are about to undertake: “You desire to allow the Lord to know you in an intimate way and to witness to this reality as played out also in the lives of your brothers… to trust the reality of truth so as to answer this question: Do you believe that I can do this? “Enter into this time of novitiate with abundant hope, for it is Christ to whom you begin to offer yourself, and it is Christ in whom you must place your trust… No matter what transpires in the coming 366 days, understand as you begin each new day – whether that is day one, or day 257 – Christ will not be outdone in generosity. “Despite what we might perceive in difficult moments, Christ never fails us.” After the homily the critical moment for these men has come, when they receive their habit –
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Kans a s M onk s
