Local News Archive
Print Issue: March 28, 2002
Discerning The Call To Monastic Life
 A piece of stained glass leans in the window sill of the stained glass shop. Father Methodius Telnack, OCSO, is in charge of the stained glass operation, which began in April of 1957. |
Many are called, few are chosen. And God can call us from many places of seeming security to this life of service. Some entered following World War II and one knew Gen. George S. Patton well while one served in North Africa. One brother discerning as an observer owns a nationally famous interior design firm. One is an Atlanta Braves fan while another devotedly follows Notre Dame. One of the members of the community was a champion long-distance runner in college and another fled from persecution in Cuba.
For those who come to this place, there are different types of members that make up the community of Our Lady of Holy Spirit Abbey, under the guidance of the abbot, Dom Basil Pennington, OCSO.
An OBSERVER is one seeking to discern a vocation and makes several visits over a period of time. He then lives the daily life of the monks for two months while receiving guidance from the vocations director. If a vocation seems to be there, a candidate is admitted to become a postulant, a more intense time of self-evaluation that will last for one month.
Following this month, a postulant may be admitted as a NOVICE and will spend the next two and a half years studying and further discerning his call to the life of a contemplative religious. If the novice is recommended favorably, and subject to a community vote, he will take temporary vows and become a "simple professed" MONK for three years. After this period unless the abbot thinks a longer discernment is necessary, he may be allowed to make the commitment of his solemn professed vows of stability or permanency to the house and become a "solemn professed" monk. This is a lifetime commitment.
In addition to those seeking to join the community as professed monks, members of the community may also be admitted as an oblate. An oblate is someone who has discerned a late vocation. They can be laity, religious or ordained clergy from outside the order who wish to live in community the life of the monks, but are not taking professed vows. There are currently two ordained priests studying in the oblate novitiate to join the community as oblates.
Finally, the commuity will admit, with the abbot's permission, LONG-TERM GUESTS who have a desire to leave the outside world for an extended time to live in community with the monks for personal spiritual growth and discernment. Currently there is one long-term guest. Only a one- year stay is permitted.
