My parents don't support me if I choose to be a Benedictine Monk

[Malcolm_McLean]

I had been looking into the Benedictine Monks, but my parents do not support me. They are Catholics, and would not have a problem if I were to become a Diocesan Priest, but they do not want me to become a monk. They say that it would be a waste of my life. They say that monks don’t do anything for other people.

What can I tell them?

It’s quite difficult to take solemn vows as a Benedictine if you are not suitable. A lot of people never get beyond an initial vocations retreat, the rest leave after a few months as postulants. By the time you are allowed to take initial vows, for five years, they are pretty sure that you are called to be a monk. However if a mistake is made, then those five years will usually reveal it.

As for active versus contemplative life, of course your parents have a point. That debate has been endlessly rehashed over the centuries.

 

[hamburglar]

Wow, thanks everybody for your help.

Now, I was wondering, should I begin to look into a diocesan vocation? I probably will finish four years of college before entering any kind of seminary or novitiate, but would anyone recommend starting with the diocese and then if I feel called to the religious life go from there?

 

[johnnydigit]

Wow, thanks everybody for your help.

Now, I was wondering, should I begin to look into a diocesan vocation? I probably will finish four years of college before entering any kind of seminary or novitiate, but would anyone recommend starting with the diocese and then if I feel called to the religious life go from there?

after you learn and visit each one, hopefully you’ll know which one you like more.

the most important thing is to get a spiritual director (separate from the vocation director) to help guide you. God bless! pax

 

[mercygate]

Wow, thanks everybody for your help.

Now, I was wondering, should I begin to look into a diocesan vocation? I probably will finish four years of college before entering any kind of seminary or novitiate, but would anyone recommend starting with the diocese and then if I feel called to the religious life go from there?

First work with your parish pastor. You might also contact the diocese. If this call is very strong for you, they can guide you towards college subjects that will feed into the seminary program. E.g., philosophy and perhaps Latin . . .???

 

[hamburglar]

First work with your parish pastor. You might also contact the diocese. If this call is very strong for you, they can guide you towards college subjects that will feed into the seminary program. E.g., philosophy and perhaps Latin . . .???

Right now, I am double-majoring in Philosophy and Theology at a Catholic college. After talking to various people, it was recommended to major in Philosophy. I am taking the Theology classes just because they are interesting, and I will take enough that I will qualify for a Theology major.

Unfortunately, they don’t offer Latin at my college. I find that kinda ridiculous. They offer German and Japanese, but no Latin at a Catholic college. I was hoping to find a Latin summer program somewhere and try to get credits to transfer for it.

 

[mercygate]

Right now, I am double-majoring in Philosophy and Theology at a Catholic college. After talking to various people, it was recommended to major in Philosophy. I am taking the Theology classes just because they are interesting, and I will take enough that I will qualify for a Theology major.

Unfortunately, they don’t offer Latin at my college. I find that kinda ridiculous. They offer German and Japanese, but no Latin at a Catholic college. I was hoping to find a Latin summer program somewhere and try to get credits to transfer for it.

Back in the middle ages, when I was an undergraduate, The University of Michigan (go BLUE!) had a terrific summer program in Latin. Zero to Cicero in seven weeks. Eat, sleep, breathe Latin all day long. It worked for me!

Check out their Summer Language Institute. It’s still in business.

 

[RevDrNorth]

My son is a Benedictine monk, at Conception Abbey in Conception MO. I’ll offer a couple of things here. I just skimmed some of the very good replies but here’s some food for thought.

• you said you were 18, at Conception 20 is the minium age for entrance, although that may vary from place to place. The extra two years would give you more time for discernment.
• do you have any debt ? That could stand in the way of making final vows, credit card debt is especially frowned upon.
• monks at Conception number about 30 with about 30 more being dispersed to nearby parishes in the diocese so they are active in various ways along with what they do at the monastary

My son is a postulant & has been at the Abbey about 5 months & is home for Christmas vacation. He **LOVES **it ! he’s already said he looks foward to going back soon. As his dad I was much relieved this didn’t upset my wife, you know first son leaving home ect. he’s only 20 himself & is the baby of the place. two things he’s said he’s noticed about coming home 1) the pace is faster 2) the noise. Like I mentioned the wife & I are both thrilled he’s taken to it as well as he has. The Abbot told my wife “he’s a keeper” which made us both proud.

As I said I hope these things weren’t already covered, I just skimmed the other replies, God Bless you in your discernment.

kage ar - Thank you for sharing the link with the movie. Cool!

Ambrose - Thank you for the personal anecdote!

 

[WanderAimlessly]

St. Vincent may be a good compromise since it is also a college (my alma mater in fact). It is only about a 6 to 7 hour drive from the Detroit area and there is direct air service to Latrobe airport which is only a mile or so from the college.

One of the main charisms of the Benedictines is education. Also many of the monks at St. Vincent run/assist at parishes in a number of Dioceses.