August 30, 2019

Benedictine novice professes temporary vows at Saint Meinrad

Criterion staff report

Benedictine Novice Christian LumsdenBenedictine Novice Christian Lumsden of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad professed temporary vows as a monk in a liturgy on Aug. 6 in the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln.

As is the custom of Saint Meinrad, he took on a religious name during the profession of vows. Novice Christian is now Brother Basil.

A native of Trinidad, Brother Basil, 45, earned degrees in music from Trinity College of Music in London and Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom. He also studied liturgy in the graduate program at The Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, Ill., and canonical monastic studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Previously, he served as director of music for the deanery of Kent in the United Kingdom and as director of music and liturgy for the Diocese of Hamilton, Bermuda, where he also served as cathedral organist and master of the choristers.

Most recently, he was a junior monk at the Benedictine monastery of Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom.

Temporary vows are typically for three years. This period offers a continuing opportunity for the monk and the monastic community to determine whether monastic life is, indeed, the right vocation for this individual. †

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