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December 16, 2021SHAWNEE – Saint Gregory’s Abbey received Kyle A. Hankins into the community as a novice on Dec. 7. He received the name “Brother Matthew” during the ceremony.
Rt. Rev. Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., abbot of Saint Gregory's, explained, “In sacred scripture we read that God often bestows a new name upon individuals who are called to a change of direction in response to divine grace. Monastic tradition continues this practice to remind us each day of our response to God’s call. A new name also gives us a patron saint whom we can invoke and imitate.”
Brother Matthew is named for Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist.
Brother Novice Matthew was born and raised in Chickasha and was an active member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. He was a member of the parish choir, participated in the parish evangelization team and is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
He also volunteered in several service organizations in the Chickasha community and recently was active with the Gospel of Life School and communities in Moore and Oklahoma City.
The novitiate is a period of one year of intense study, formation and discernment. Novices at Saint Gregory’s Abbey study sacred scripture, monastic spirituality and history, the Rule of Saint Benedict, Church liturgy and other courses in human development. Novices participate in the full common life of the monastic community and are assigned various forms of work. Toward the end of the novitiate year, a novice may petition to profess temporary vows as a member of the community.
Photo: Br. George Hubl, O.S.B.
