St. Benedict's Criteria
First let's look at what St. Benedict expects of his candidates. He wrote in his Rule that men knocking at the gate of the monastery seeking entrance into the novitiate should be those who sincerely "seek God." This must be high on your list of reasons why you wish to become a monk. Do you truly seek God?
Next on his list is the thirst you must have for the "Work of God." For us, this is the Common Prayer held in the chapel seven times a day. In all we spend about 3½ - 4 hours chanting in choir each and every day. You need not be a terrific singer to enter our ranks. If that were so I would have never made the grade (but you must be a man of prayer.)
Obedience, greatly stressed by St. Benedict, is another important aspect of our life as is the willingness to go through some hardships; but this is true in any worthwhile career.
Now on to what it takes to become a monk here at our monastery. We start our day at four a.m.. I have never lived on a farm but I doubt that the chickens get up that early. To most people this sounds awful, but take it from a non-morning person (yours truly), if you are a man of prayer it is not as bad as it sounds. Besides we retire early enough so that we usually get seven hours of sleep.
Are you a social person? We live in close proximity twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. So, if you tend to be intolerant or dislike other folks then this life might not be your cup of tea. Remember what the bible says about loving one another and bearing each others burdens.
What about nasty habits such as being addicted to alcohol, smoking or drugs? These vices do not lend themselves to life in a monastery.
Chastity is part of our life. In order to show us (and you) that you are capable of observing a chaste life you must have lived a celibate life three to four years before entering the monastery.
Can divorced men enter religious life? Yes, but be aware of the extra burden you might have to overcome. None of our formerly married applicants have been able to adapt to the monastery. In any case we recommend that a divorced man first seek an annulment by the Church before asking to join our community.
All these qualities are needed in order to become a good monk, plus the intense desire to serve the Lord through a life of contemplation and work. If you wish to inquire further, you should consider the different kinds of monasteries.
First let's look at what St. Benedict expects of his candidates. He wrote in his Rule that men knocking at the gate of the monastery seeking entrance into the novitiate should be those who sincerely "seek God." This must be high on your list of reasons why you wish to become a monk. Do you truly seek God?
Next on his list is the thirst you must have for the "Work of God." For us, this is the Common Prayer held in the chapel seven times a day. In all we spend about 3½ - 4 hours chanting in choir each and every day. You need not be a terrific singer to enter our ranks. If that were so I would have never made the grade (but you must be a man of prayer.)
Obedience, greatly stressed by St. Benedict, is another important aspect of our life as is the willingness to go through some hardships; but this is true in any worthwhile career.
Now on to what it takes to become a monk here at our monastery. We start our day at four a.m.. I have never lived on a farm but I doubt that the chickens get up that early. To most people this sounds awful, but take it from a non-morning person (yours truly), if you are a man of prayer it is not as bad as it sounds. Besides we retire early enough so that we usually get seven hours of sleep.
Are you a social person? We live in close proximity twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. So, if you tend to be intolerant or dislike other folks then this life might not be your cup of tea. Remember what the bible says about loving one another and bearing each others burdens.
What about nasty habits such as being addicted to alcohol, smoking or drugs? These vices do not lend themselves to life in a monastery.
Chastity is part of our life. In order to show us (and you) that you are capable of observing a chaste life you must have lived a celibate life three to four years before entering the monastery.
Can divorced men enter religious life? Yes, but be aware of the extra burden you might have to overcome. None of our formerly married applicants have been able to adapt to the monastery. In any case we recommend that a divorced man first seek an annulment by the Church before asking to join our community.
All these qualities are needed in order to become a good monk, plus the intense desire to serve the Lord through a life of contemplation and work. If you wish to inquire further, you should consider the different kinds of monasteries.