On the Hill

On January 20, 2026, Novice Douglas Allison professed temporary vows at Saint Meinrad Archabbey and received the religious name Brother Evagrius. 

A 25-year-old native of Perrysburg, Ohio, Brother Evagrius graduated in 2023 from Bowling Green State University with a degree in accounting and finance. After college, he found himself discerning his next step. The balance of prayer and work found in The Rule of St. Benedict drew him to monastic life. Visits to Saint Meinrad and conversations with his spiritual director ultimately led him to enter the monastery.

He admits that communal living has been less daunting than he expected, saying, “Knowing that everyone is here to grow in love of God and neighbor makes it simpler.” Cultivating inner silence has been challenging, he explains, “It is not a skill that is easy to learn, growing up in a fast-paced world.”

Named for Evagrius Ponticus, a desert monk known for his wisdom in battling temptation, Brother Evagrius is drawn to the Benedictine rhythm of prayer and work. In his free time, he enjoys listening to audiobooks and weaving baskets.

Temporary vows, which are usually for three years, mark the next step in discerning whether monastic life is his vocation.