Becoming a Monk

Single Roman Catholic men, age 20-40, are eligible to enter the monastery. An applicant should have a sincere desire to seek God and serve the Church. He should be in good health and be free of serious addictions for at least two years.

When an individual becomes serious about joining a monastery and selects Saint Meinrad Archabbey, there are three basics steps. The first step is to begin visiting the monastery and become acquainted with some members of the monastic community. If there is still interest after visiting, the next step is to be interviewed by the vocation committee, which consists of six monks, to discern if our lifestyle will help the individual get closer to God.

If the individual and vocation committee discern that entrance into the monastery would be appropriate, then the third step is to finish up the necessary requirements for entrance into the candidacy program: application, physical exam, psychological and psychiatric evaluations. Each individual approaches these three steps at his own pace as he discerns how God is leading him.

We sponsor an off-campus affiliation program for men who wish to formalize their relationship with Saint Meinrad Archabbey, but who are delayed in entering candidacy because of commitments to family, work or school. Affiliates maintain a relationship with the monastery through consistent visits. They practice their faith in a parish and begin to participate in monastic practices, such as praying lectio divina and the Liturgy of the Hours on their own. A monk is assigned to serve as their discernment guide.