Vocation Information
Since the earliest days of the Church, Christ's call of "Come, follow me!" has attracted men and women to imitate Him in a special way. By the third Century, desert ascetics had begun to gather into communities for mutual support and protection in the wilderness. The monastic ideal spread to Christian communities in urban centers as well, becoming an important influence in the life of the church through the centuries. In Europe, settlements in the immediate area of the monasteries often developed into towns, or even major cities. The monks of Newark Abbey continue this important Christian witness.
A candidate for the community is asked to make several brief
visits and then come to live in the monastery for a week or more.
After this initial stay he may be invited to come to the abbey as
a postulant for a period of about six months. He may then be
asked to apply for admission to the novitiate, a formal one-year
period of study and intensive training in monastic life. If the
novice feels that he is indeed called to be a Benedictine and the
community agrees, he makes simple vows which last for three
years, and finally solemn vows, his definitive commitment to the
monastic life. The abbot may ask certain monks to study for the
priesthood as well, but this is considered a separate vocation,
distinct from the monastic call.
We Benedictines of Newark consider our quiet, common life of
prayer and work to be a proclamation to all people of the loving
presence of God, who makes the desert bloom. If you think you
might be interested in sharing the joy and the challenge of our
life, why not come and see?
For more information on Newark Abbey, write to:
Br. Patrick Winbush, O.S.B.
Vocation Director
Newark Abbey
520 King Boulevard
Newark, NJ 07102-1314
Telephone: (973) 792-5772
E-mail Br. Patrick @ vocations@sbp.org