Please pray for my son the monk

[Ambrose]

We dropped my son off at Conception Abbey today in northwest MO. He’ll begin his postulancy tomorrow as a Benedictine monk. He really felt he had a vocation to the priesthood since about the 2nd or 3rd grade and once we took him up to the Abbey to look around he knew monastic life was for him.

He’s the oldest of four, our first to leave home and mama is, well you can imagine. Saying goodbye especially when he asked me for his blessing really got to our entire family. He asked my wife for her blessing and through sobs she just said “I can’t.” It’s a real bittersweet time for her as she talked about how just taking him to pre school with another one hanging off her arm and pregnant with twins wasn’t as tough as this.

My son was as happy as I’d ever seen him, relaxed, smiling, no hint at all of hesitation or doubt even though he’s only 20 years old and will be the 'baby" among his brother monks. I’ve told him so many times he’ll have some down times and that it won’t always live up to his expectations that he’s been rolling his eyes recently whenever I mention it.

As you might be able to tell, dad’s kinda having a tough time as well. Please pray for my son.

 

[kell0618]

He is certainly in my prayers (plus you and your wife). God bless you for supporting him in following his call.

 

[OnlyAmbrose]

A Benedictine monk… your son is a brave man and will be in my prayers.

 

[RevDrNorth]

We dropped my son off at Conception Abbey today in northwest MO. He’ll begin his postulancy tomorrow as a Benedictine monk. He really felt he had a vocation to the priesthood since about the 2nd or 3rd grade and once we took him up to the Abbey to look around he knew monastic life was for him.

He’s the oldest of four, our first to leave home and mama is, well you can imagine. Saying goodbye especially when he asked me for his blessing really got to our entire family. He asked my wife for her blessing and through sobs she just said “I can’t.” It’s a real bittersweet time for her as she talked about how just taking him to pre school with another one hanging off her arm and pregnant with twins wasn’t as tough as this.

My son was as happy as I’d ever seen him, relaxed, smiling, no hint at all of hesitation or doubt even though he’s only 20 years old and will be the 'baby" among his brother monks. I’ve told him so many times he’ll have some down times and that it won’t always live up to his expectations that he’s been rolling his eyes recently whenever I mention it.

As you might be able to tell, dad’s kinda having a tough time as well. Please pray for my son.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I guess only time will tell in terms of whether the Benedictines are it (neat and balanced spirituality). You are to be congratulated for supporting your sons vocation and discernment process. 2nd grade is a long time and maybe he is one of those individuals with a real cler call from God.

As a parent I feel for you and share the mix of sadness and excitment as the door closes to your son’s childhood and opens on a new chapter.

In Christ,

Rev North+

 

[Mt_28_19_20]

We dropped my son off at Conception Abbey today in northwest MO. He’ll begin his postulancy tomorrow as a Benedictine monk. He really felt he had a vocation to the priesthood since about the 2nd or 3rd grade and once we took him up to the Abbey to look around he knew monastic life was for him.

He’s the oldest of four, our first to leave home and mama is, well you can imagine. Saying goodbye especially when he asked me for his blessing really got to our entire family. He asked my wife for her blessing and through sobs she just said “I can’t.” It’s a real bittersweet time for her as she talked about how just taking him to pre school with another one hanging off her arm and pregnant with twins wasn’t as tough as this.

My son was as happy as I’d ever seen him, relaxed, smiling, no hint at all of hesitation or doubt even though he’s only 20 years old and will be the 'baby" among his brother monks. I’ve told him so many times he’ll have some down times and that it won’t always live up to his expectations that he’s been rolling his eyes recently whenever I mention it.

As you might be able to tell, dad’s kinda having a tough time as well. Please pray for my son.

I’ll keep him as well as you and your family in prayer. God’s will be done.

Michael

 

[Donna_Maria]

What a wonderful gain for our Church! I pray that your family has strength, endurance, and peace of mind during this transitional time. Your son sounds very special. From time to time, please give us an update. God Bless . . .

 

[Ambrose]

Well you all made me break down, as my wife did at Mass this morning. Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for keeping him and us in prayers.

As I tell people and you all know this, it’s God’s work - we’re just instruments of encouragement, and hopefully from time to time, an example.

He wants to take the name Maximillan eventually since he’s always had a very profound devotion to him, the Blessed Mother and the work of the Milita Immaculata which our family are members of.

The Abbey is close enough that we’ll be able to get up and see him from time to time, in fact in a few weeks !

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

We dropped my son off at Conception Abbey today in northwest MO. He’ll begin his postulancy tomorrow as a Benedictine monk. He really felt he had a vocation to the priesthood since about the 2nd or 3rd grade and once we took him up to the Abbey to look around he knew monastic life was for him.

He’s the oldest of four, our first to leave home and mama is, well you can imagine. Saying goodbye especially when he asked me for his blessing really got to our entire family. He asked my wife for her blessing and through sobs she just said “I can’t.” It’s a real bittersweet time for her as she talked about how just taking him to pre school with another one hanging off her arm and pregnant with twins wasn’t as tough as this.

My son was as happy as I’d ever seen him, relaxed, smiling, no hint at all of hesitation or doubt even though he’s only 20 years old and will be the 'baby" among his brother monks. I’ve told him so many times he’ll have some down times and that it won’t always live up to his expectations that he’s been rolling his eyes recently whenever I mention it.

As you might be able to tell, dad’s kinda having a tough time as well. Please pray for my son.

Everyone has a honeymoon period, monks no exception. The advantage over a wedding is that you’ve got to make it through postulancy to make your first vows, and then five years on you can leave with no shame. So it is rare to become a fully professed monk if the life is not for you.

Life as a monk is much less stressful than the typical life of a secular priest.

It is upsetting when children move away. However they are not yours forever, other people have claims on them. Happiness, safety, welfare can never be guaranteed, and if you try to guarantee it you find that for sure you lose it for them.

 

[Ambrose]

Everyone has a honeymoon period, monks no exception. The advantage over a wedding is that you’ve got to make it through postulancy to make your first vows, and then five years on you can leave with no shame. So it is rare to become a fully professed monk if the life is not for you.

Life as a monk is much less stressful than the typical life of a secular priest.

It is upsetting when children move away. However they are not yours forever, other people have claims on them. Happiness, safety, welfare can never be guaranteed, and if you try to guarantee it you find that for sure you lose it for them.

A priest friend said after Mass Sunday that disillusionment is part of maturity. I thought those were words of wisdom if I’d ever heard them.

 

[daughterofmary]

I’ll keep your son and your family in prayer. I know it must be difficult, but just think how happy your son is… always with Jesus! He seems like a very special soul.

God bless you!

In Jesus and Mary,
Marie