January 29, 2010

Two men begin novitiate at Saint Meinrad Archabbey

Michael Luckett and Timothy Wymore were clothed in the Benedictine habit on Jan. 19 at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad during a brief ceremony at the monastery entrance.

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

Novice Michael, 21, was born in Louisville. He grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., where he was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Parish.

He attended Damien High School in La Verne, Calif. In 2009, he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, Calif., before coming to Saint Meinrad.

Novice Timothy, 24, was born in Grand Forks, N.D. He grew up in Madison, Wis., where he attended James Madison Memorial High School and was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2007 at the University of Notre Dame. During college, he was an intern with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubois County.

Following college, he spent two years working for the National Right to Life Committee.

As novices, the two men take a year off from formal studies and/or 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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