August 21, 2020

Saint Meinrad Archabbey receives new novice on Aug. 5

In a recent ceremony at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, a new novice was received by the monastic community.

Benedictine Novice Benjamin ZieglerBenedictine Novice Benjamin Ziegler was clothed in the Benedictine habit on Aug. 5. He now begins a year of monastic formation, including study of the Rule of St. Benedict and monastic history.

Novice Benjamin, 25, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, in 2018. He then worked as an engineer for Heapy Engineering in Cleveland.

He is the son of Alan and Kathleen Ziegler of White Oak, Pa., and attended Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, Pa. Most recently, his home parish was Mary, Mother of God Parish in White Oak.

As a novice, he takes 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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