August 10, 2012

Two novices welcomed into Saint Meinrad Archabbey

In a brief ceremony at the monastery entrance on Aug. 5, Bradley Jensen and Matthew Sprauer were clothed in the Benedictine habit at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad.

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

Novice Bradley, 29, is a native of Iowa City, Iowa, where he was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in accounting science from Northern Illinois University. Novice Bradley passed the Certified Public Accountant exam, and worked in corporate finance before coming to Saint Meinrad.

Novice Matthew, 28, is from Piqua, Ohio. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Centerville, Ohio. Novice Matthew is a 2006 graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He has more than five years of experience in software development for the defense industry.

As novices, they will 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. †

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