The journey of a Benedictine monk is one of commitment to a life of joy in prayer and work within a community of Catholic men under the Rule of Saint Benedict. It is within the monastery that the monk understands his life’s purpose of seeking God. He walks with his brother monks in obedience to their spiritual father, the abbot, always preferring “nothing whatever to Christ.”

As sons of Saint Benedict, we believe our life belongs to the Lord and when we give everything we are born into eternal life. To demonstrate this commitment, we strive to give Him everything He has given us, just as Mary did in her yes to God. Our journey together as monks is one of recognizing Jesus Christ present in all things, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. In this we are challenged to a daily conversion to Christ, the Divine Teacher, in every aspect of our life so that we are one and our joy is complete.

As we live the journey we seek holiness by practicing the virtues and living the Benedictine vows of stability, conversion and obedience. We demonstrate faith in Christ by conforming every aspect of our monastic life to His. Community is the heart of our life, and it is within community that we offer our prayer and work. Key to this common life is Lectio Divina, our immersion in the reading of scripture and other spiritual reading. Thus we grow in an attitude of openness to the Holy Spirit through personal daily dialogue with Him.

Our labor is valued as prayer. By common work—in scholarship, craftsmanship, pastoral care and formation—we cooperate in God’s plan to make all things new. And through it all, balance in our prayer, work and leisure is important in the life of holiness to which we are called by Saint Benedict. In all that we do our pursuit is to give glory to God.