February 10, 2006

Saint Meinrad welcomes two new monks, novice professes temporary vows

Benedictine Novice Joseph von Hazmburg professed temporary vows on Feb. 2 at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad. It is customary that the newly professed be assigned a religious name. Novice Joseph will now be known as Brother Fidelis Mary.

Brother Fidelis, 39, is a native of Albuquerque, N.M. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Nevada and a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. He entered the monastery on Feb. 1, 2005.

The three-year period of temporary vows provides a continuing opportunity for the monk and the monastic community to determine whether monastic life is the right vocation for him.

In a brief ceremony at the monastery entrance on Jan. 19, Andrew Malocha and David Carr became novices of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Novice Andrew, 22, was born in Merrilville, Ind. and grew up in Wheat-field, Ind.

He studied at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Ind., and Purdue University North Central in Westville, Ind.

Novice David, 38, is a native of Louisville, Ky. He earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Indiana University in 2001 and a master’s degree in theology from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 2005.

As novices, the men take a year off from formal studies or trades. The novitiate is a time of prayer and learning intended to help the novice discern his vocation as a monk.

At the end of this year, a novice may be permitted to profess temporary vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life and stability in the community of Saint Meinrad. †

 

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