January 26, 2007

Two men begin novitiate at Saint Meinrad

In a brief ceremony on Jan. 19 at the monastery entrance, Kyle Cothern and Craig Wagner were clothed in the Benedictine habit at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad.

They now begin a year of monastic formation, including study of the Rule of St. Benedict and monastic history.

Novice Kyle, 23, was born in Kokomo, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese, where he was a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music theory and composition at Ball State University in 2005.

During the summer of 2006, he worked as a college intern for Saint Meinrad School of Theology’s “One Bread, One Cup” youth liturgical leadership program.

Novice Craig, 41, was born in Findlay, Ohio, where he attended Liberty-Benton High School and was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Parish. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University in 1988.

After earning his degree, he worked at The Galion Inquirer in Galion, Ohio, until 1999, where he worked his way up from staff writer to managing editor.

From 1999 to 2006, he worked at The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, where he was a copy editor and wire editor.

As novices, the two men take a year off from formal studies and trades. The novitiate is a time of prayer and learning intended to help a 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. †

Local site Links: