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Benedictine Lay Associate Program |
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| In this Lay Associate program, we invite men
between the ages of 19 and 50, to join our Benedictine Monastic
family for a period of two weeks up to two months . . . to see
what we are about.
The associates live in the monastery. They are brought into the daily rhythm lived by the monks. Besides the public activities of prayer, Eucharist, meals, work, and recreation, the associates participate in the private times of personal prayer, reflection, and holy reading, and those moments when each may pursue activities of his own choice. Our experience has led us to set up our Associate Program in this way. The personal motivations that move each associate to want such an experience vary greatly. We want to offer each of them not only an in-depth experience and participation in our monastic life, but the encouragement for reflecting upon their life. What they have been doing, where they have been and the direction that their life has taken up till now. We want to stimulate in them an openness to what God may want to do in their life in the years ahead. While it is not a requisite that they be thinking about a religious or monastic vocation or about entering our community, we are willing to help them do such vocation discernment if they request it. Regardless of what they decide to do after their time with us, we are confident that their experience of monastic life in our community will have a beneficial effect on them. All are called, through Baptism, to form one body in Christ. If we, even in some small way, can be instrumental in strengthening our associates' response and commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church, we praise the Lord for that. Our prayer is that we ourselves be generous and docile to the prompting of the Spirit in regard to each of our associates. That's why we want to inform you about this Program, soliciting thereby your support through prayer and by sharing this information with anyone that you know might be interested and would be eligible. In regard to room and board and a small monthly stipend, these are our expression of appreciation for the services the associates offer us. Otherwise, they are not salaried. They are responsible for their own expenses and insurance. We encourage you, then, to help us bring this ministry to those who can benefit from it. If you wish to be a prospective associate, you can E-Mail today the following information and/or questions. (OR) Tell some one about our webpage!
+Filling out the information below (without
obligation) |