Saint Meinrad's monks represent a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds,
educational histories and life experiences.
Those contemplating a monastic profession come to Saint Meinrad for a candidacy
of three months. During that time, they live in the monastery and learn about
our way of life before becoming novices. Novices are individuals who are members
of the community and are in the process of formation in becoming monks. The
novitiate lasts one year and a day.
At the end of the novitiate year, the novices become junior monks by making vows
for three years. Although a person may extend the time of temporary vows, junior monks
often make solemn vows at the end of three years and so become full-fledged monks of the
monastery.
Following are brief profiles of each of the candidates, novices and junior monks
currently in various stages of becoming monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. We hope
their stories will paint a picture of the rich diversity that makes up Saint Meinrad's
monastic community.