Search
-
September 26, 2024Many men answer the call of God to enter the Sacrament of Holy Orders and become a priest, serving a local parish within the archdiocese.
For some, however, there’s another choice: the cloistered life within a monastery, a life devoted to prayer, rather than serving an individual church.
Those seeking a different route have a chance to learn about the Benedictine monastic life at a special “Monastic Encounter” weekend Oct. 18-20 or Feb. 14-16, 2025, at Saint Gregory’s Abbey, 1900 W. MacArthur Street in Shawnee. The community follows the way of monastic life as written in the Rule of Saint Benedict, written by Saint Benedict in the early 6th century.
“A diocesan priest is drawn by God to minister to people in his parish,” said Father Simeon Spitz, O.S.B., who is prior and vocations director at Saint Gregory’s Abbey, “whereas our monastery charism is seeking God in communion, in silence. Monks are tied to one place. A monastery is for life.
“All religious orders here are structured independent of the archdiocese. The parish priest is trying to call people, where monks are separated from people, to seek God.”
The life of a monk inside a monastery is structured around prayer and scripture reading, which begins early in the morning.
Their first prayers are at 5:30 a.m., followed by private prayer and scripture reading. Morning prayers are at 7:15 a.m., and morning Mass is at 8:15 a.m. After Mass, the priests are assigned duties, before prayers at noon, which are called “sext.” Lunch service known as None, Latin for nine, or the ninth hour, follows.
“We go back to work and then we have vespers, also known as evening prayers, followed by a brief recreation, then night prayers and after that the evening is free for reading, prayer or healthy hobbies,” Father Spitz said.
The Monastic Encounter offers a glimpse into the life of a monk.
“Expect to experience life in the monastery, join for the prayers as well as share in the monastic work and silence,” Father Spitz said. “They join us and live alongside us and experience the life, and get a little spiritual direction. They will be living in the cloistered life of the monastery and they actually come inside.”
“How does God call you? What do you find your encounter with him to be? If you find God in silence and prayer, this just might be indicative of a monastic vocation,” Father Spitz said. “This is a good opportunity for those who want to know what the monastic life is like, and experience ancient forms of prayers.”
Catholic single men, ages 18-45, who are interested in attending the Monastic Encounter weekend can contact Father Spitz at (405) 878-5456; [email protected].
Everett Brazil, III is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
The life of a monk inside a monastery is structured around prayer and scripture reading, which begins early in the morning.
5 a.m. - Rising Bell
5:30 a.m. - Vigils followed by breakfast in silence
7 a.m. - Lectio Divina
7:15 a.m. - Lauds
8:15 a.m. - Eucharist
Noon - Sext (midday) prayer followed by lunch
12:50 p.m. - None
1 p.m. - Work
4:30 p.m. - Lectio Divina
5 p.m. – Vespers (evening prayer)
5:45 p.m. - Supper followed by recreation
7:15 p.m. – Compline (night prayer)
Photos Theresa Bragg/St. Gregory’s Abbey.
