February 5, 2021

Saint Meinrad Archabbey receives new novices into community

In a recent ceremony at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, two new novices were received by the monastic community.

Benedictine Novices Connor Zink and Matthew Morris were clothed on Jan. 19 in the Benedictine habit. They now begin a year of monastic formation, including study of the Rule of St. Benedict and monastic history.

Novice Connor, 24, a native of West Chester, Ohio, earned a bachelor’s degree in Catholic studies at Marian University in Indianapolis in 2018. He previously worked in retail for Meijer and was a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Liberty, Ohio, where he did volunteer work.

Novice Matthew, 33, a native of Fort Thomas, Ky., earned a bachelor’s degree in history and theology at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. He worked for Kroger for 18 years in a variety of positions and was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Fort Thomas.

Novices 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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