A first step to discerning the monastic vocation is coming for a visit to Assumption Abbey. In joining the monastic community in prayer, meals, and work, the inquirer will be better able to discern whether God is calling him to the monastic life at Assumption Abbey. Some men are able to discern God’s call after a visit or two, while others may come to understand God’s call to the monastic life only after many visits over a longer period of time

Answering God's call take time and understandibly so. One final step in this initial stage of discernment, is to come for a 5-day Live-In Experience. This a a more formal time during with the man will be meeting with individual monks for talks and questions, working in various departments of the monastery, in addition to joining the monastic community for the Opus Dei or communal prayer, meals, and recreation.
 

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If after the stay in the community he feels the draw of a vocation, the next step is to become a candidate. Though a man in this stage of formation is not yet an actual member of the community, he lives in the monastic cloister, participates in prayer, the entire monastic schedule, takes varied classes, and meets regularly with the formation director. This period is normally six months. Candidates for admission must be between 19 and 45 years old, healthy and vibrant, and prepared to undertake a life of stability, obedience and conversion of life. The ability to live with others is essential. One is expected to come with a willingness to learn, and to model one’s life according to St. Benedict’s rule and the monastic tradition.

Candidates are generally admitted in September and January and an invitation is offered by the Formation Committee. This six-month period is a time of reflection, prayer, and discernment in openness to the call of Christ.

                            

The novitiate lasts for a year and a day. This stage of formation builds upon candidacy, in that the novice continues to follow the monastic schedule of prayer, work, community, classes and regular meetings with the formation director. This is a critical stage of discerning the man’s calling to give himself fully to Christ in the monastic life here at Assumption Abbey. The monastic tunic is given as a sign of being a novice.

                

The next stage of commitment is a vowed period of three years termed triennial or temporary vows. The monk is given the scapular and hood as a sign of one’s deepening monastic commitment, as well as a new name, signifying one’s new life in Christ. It is during these years that the monk along with the community begins to discern his specific role(s), and what shape his monastic life will take, according to the will of God and the needs of the community. For example, whether the monk is called to the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The monks will continue to meet with the Formation Director during this period. He will continue to take classes in the monastery and will more fully participate in the life of the community.

                

Solemn vows marks the beginning of a lifelong committed journey in Christ as a monk of Assumption Abbey. The cuculla, a pleated choir robe, is given as a sign of this commitment. A solemnly professed monk now takes part in all aspects of the monastic life, including voting on important issues, such as admitting new members to the monastery, or major financial decisions. Although this is the end of a man’s official formation at Assumption Abbey, the life of a monk is defined by his ongoing formation, being ever deepened and molded through obedience to God, stability, and coversatio into the image of Jesus Christ our savior.

                   
 

Before initiating any task, St. Benedict urges his monks, “First of all, every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him (God) most earnestly to bring it to perfection” (Rule of St. Benedict, Prol 4). This is something we do in a number of different ways at the Abbey. For example, the first thing that we do in the morning is to gather together as a community for prayer. A prayer is recited before every meal. At the beginning of every meeting and gathering, we also say a prayer. All of these prayers are our way of offering our work to God, asking for assistance in our work, for general protection, and requesting that our hearts be open to do God’s will throughout the day.
 
As Christians and monks, we want to openly and immediately respond to God’s will, both on communal and individual levels. A word often used for determining God’s will and desire is “discernment.” This word comes from the Latin word, discernere, which means, literally, “to sever or separate”. The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that “discern” might mean to separate, but also “to recognize something as distinct.” Therefore, when thinking, reflecting and praying on what we should do, we want to separate or distinguish whether our response is the result of God’s will or not. For example, we may want guidance on how to deal with a difficult family member or co-worker. Other decisions may be more life changing: should I enter a religious community or marry a particular person?
 
Naturally, this often is not as simple as it sounds. The obstacle that usually gets in the way is oneself! This does not mean that we do not want or desire what God wants, but rather it is easy to confuse OUR will with God’s will. So, how do we separate our desires from God’s will? The first step is that of regular prayer. In order to “hear” God’s voice within us, we need to have a regular relationship with God. There are often subtle and not so subtle indications of God’s will all around us. However, if we have not taken the time and energy to unite ourselves more to God, how can we really expect to decipher these signs? As we sit before God, we ask for guidance and assistance. Of course, there is also the old saying that “God writes straight with crooked lines,” which means that there may be a number of false starts on our part to get where we need to be.
 
Another helpful step may be in talking with someone who has a long-term relationship with God. These people are often called spiritual directors. God does work through other people. At times, when we think about signs for what to do, we expect lightning and thunder, or some elaborate sign from nature. Yet, God’s sign could be that of a wise person, who after prayer and listening, tells us that such a path does not seem to be so wise. Our individualistic society tells us to rely solely on our own hearts, yet Jesus will also have us look to others.
 
As we consider various steps in our discernment, one of the major ways we believe we are on the right track is whether we have a sense of peace in our hearts. There may also be a feeling of renewed energy in life and in our relationships. A good guide is from the letter of James: “The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits” (Jas 3:17). By these fruits we will know we are on the correct path.
 
If you do not believe you have the relationship with God that Jesus is asking you to have, well, now may be a good time to start. As much as you are able, set aside time for quiet and prayer each day (which sometimes can even be as you are driving to and from work). Practice opening yourself to God as you consider various decisions. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness for those graces that you have received. Further, know that God will continue to search for you and to meet you with grace and joy!
 
One of our goals as a monastic community is to provide a place of peace and quiet so that people can listen to God in their discernment. As monks of Assumption Abbey, we continue to hold you in our prayers throughout the days, months, and years.

                
 
 

Have you ever wondered about being called by God to the monastic life? Many men have had these same questions. To help discern God’s call for you, the Monks of Assumption Abbey have developed the Summer Volunteer Program. This 1- to 2-month program offers a longer introduction to the monastic life than our usual week-long live-in experience. Volunteers will live in the monastery while fully participating in the monastic schedule of prayer, lectio divina, work, meals, and recreation. The volunteer will also have regular meetings with one of the monks for further spiritual growth. Participants should have their own insurance.

Please contact the Vocation Director for more information.
 

Contact the Vocation Director