February 8, 2008

Saint Meinrad monk professes solemn vows

Benedictine Brother Christian Raab presents his vow chart to Archabbot Justin DuVall during a liturgy on Jan. 25 at the Archabbey Church in St. Meinrad. Brother Christian professed solemn vows during the liturgy, and became a full and permanent member of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. (Submitted photo)

Benedictine Brother Christian Raab presents his vow chart to Archabbot Justin DuVall during a liturgy on Jan. 25 at the Archabbey Church in St. Meinrad. Brother Christian professed solemn vows during the liturgy, and became a full and permanent member of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. (Submitted photo)

Benedictine Brother Christian Raab professed solemn vows as a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey on Jan. 25 during a liturgy at the Archabbey Church in St. Meinrad.

He entered the novitiate at

Saint Meinrad in 2004 and professed simple vows the following year.

In professing solemn vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life and stability in the community at Saint Meinrad, he becomes a full and permanent member of the Benedictine community.

Brother Christian, 33, of Michigan City, Ind., earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies at Indiana University in 1997 and a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Loyola University in Chicago in 2003.

He worked for four years as a high school religion teacher in Chicago before coming to Saint Meinrad. He currently is a full-time priesthood student at Saint Meinrad School of Theology.

While in formation, he was co-editor of The Tradition of Catholic Prayer, ­published in 2007 by Liturgical Press.

He also worked at the Scholar Shop, Abbey Press and the Office of Group Accommodations. He frequently gives tours of the Saint Meinrad campus and has had ministry placements at St. John Bosco Youth Group, Norton Hospital and the Branchville Correctional Facility. †

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