Monk for a while?

[BrooklynBoy200]

Is it possible to become a monk for a few years and then leave? Because i wanted to become a priest, but i think the life of a monk would be a good experience. Can i just live in a monastery with monks for a few years?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Is it possible to become a monk for a few years and then leave? Because i wanted to become a priest, but i think the life of a monk would be a good experience. Can i just live in a monastery with monks for a few years?

I doubt any order of monastics would allow you in with this as your goal. You might be able to stay a while in their guest house if you pay your own way.

Are aware that monasteries have priests too?

When you say that you want to become a priest, is it that you feel called to the active ministry?

If so, joining a religious order will get you some experience of living like a monk, this is called the novitiate.

 

[ChemicalBean]

I know that there are a couple of pilot programs for women who wish to live with religious sisters temporarily (for 1-3 years or so), and do everything that nuns do except make a permanent commitment to a congregation and take leadership roles (they have to leave when it’s all over), but I don’t know if there is anything like that for men.

I can think of at least 2 options for you. You may be able to be a live-in volunteer for a monastic community for awhile (3-6 mos. or so),

or,

attend a college, graduate school, or seminary that is run by monks, like St. John’s in Collegeville, MN, Conception Abbey in MO, or St. Meinrad’s in IN. They will likely have a program of formation for their students that complements the routine of monastic life.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I can think of at least 2 options for you. You may be able to be a live-in volunteer for a monastic community for awhile (3-6 mos. or so),

or,

attend a college, graduate school, or seminary that is run by monks, like St. John’s in Collegeville, MN, Conception Abbey in MO, or St. Meinrad’s in IN. They will likely have a program of formation for their students that complements the routine of monastic life.

Usually only those who are progressing to orders are entered into the seminary as seminarians and under the formation. Those who are taking the MDiv programing who are not headed for orders are not part of the seminary formation and do not live with the seminarians nor are they allowed into certain classes.

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

Is it possible to become a monk for a few years and then leave? Because i wanted to become a priest, but i think the life of a monk would be a good experience. Can i just live in a monastery with monks for a few years?

No. Initially you take vows for three years or five years. At the end of that period you may choose not to renew them with no dishonour, or the community might decide they have had enough of you and not permit you to renew. Then you take permanent vows. However I don’t believe any orders accept anyone into the noviciate unless they have an initial intention of progressing to permanent status.
Personally I’d like to see this changed. I’d like to see young men committing for a few years on the understanding that the majority will leave after the term is completed. Universities used to be very similar to temporary term monastaries, and we need a reinvention of the idea.
The problem is that you can’t share the life of a monk without also changing it. Monks make a permanent commitment to a group of people. If that group is constantly in flux, then the nature of the commitment also changes.

 

[chicago]

Personally I’d like to see this changed. I’d like to see young men committing for a few years on the understanding that the majority will leave after the term is completed. Universities used to be very similar to temporary term monastaries, and we need a reinvention of the idea.

Fascinating concept. Could you comment further upon this history of this and your vision?

 

[InTheWilderness]

When visiting the Abbey of Gethsemane, I found out that many of those who come there do not stay permanently. In fact, they say very few actually stay for life. They understand that there are many people who need the monastic life for a time in their life for some reason, but who are not truelly called to a monastic vocation. It was an interesting view that I had never heard before, but it makes a bit of sense.

 

[wjp984]

one of our previous pastors originally was a monk.

 

[Cloisters]

When visiting the Abbey of Gethsemane, I found out that many of those who come there do not stay permanently. In fact, they say very few actually stay for life. They understand that there are many people who need the monastic life for a time in their life for some reason, but who are not truelly called to a monastic vocation. It was an interesting view that I had never heard before, but it makes a bit of sense.

At Cloister Outreach, we call that a “temporary vocation.” We’ve had many come our way who have had that, and I tell them that they were where they were for that amount of time because that was the only place Jesus could get their undivided attention.

Amazing what these souls come away with, spiritually speaking. One woman who had entered the Passionist nuns came out a few months later with a totally different outlook on life. Before her entrance, she had no problem wearing $600 cowboy boots. When she left, she was concentrating on saving the souls of her neice and nephew.

And the nuns/monks realize that this happens. I’m glad to see that Gethsemani has such an attitude–a help when so many persons leave the monastery after such a short time.

I had proposed on Phatmass a possible solution to folks who are seeking God’s will, but want to do so in a solitary setting: a discernment colony. Living in huts, and asking supporters to feed them, working and praying while awaiting God’s will to be laid bare. Someone suggested “poustinia.” Such might be what you’re looking for. There is a book available by the same title.

Blessings,
Cloisters