February 6, 2026

Benedictine novice professes vows at Saint Meinrad Archabbey

Benedictine Novice Douglas Allison professed temporary vows as a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad in an Evening Prayer liturgy on Jan. 20 in the monastery’s Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln.

He had completed his novitiate, a year of prayer and study of the Benedictine way of life. As is the custom during the profession of vows at Saint Meinrad, he was given a religious name. Novice Douglas is now Brother Evagrius.

Brother Evagrius, 25, is a native of Perrysburg, Ohio, where he was a member of St. Rose Parish. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Before entering the monastery, he organized and helped provide Communion for homebound individuals for more than 10 years and worked for the Ohio Auditor of State. Brother Evagrius currently serves as a master of ceremonies in the Archabbey Church. 

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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