Discernment Retreat

Scripture

“Jesus said to his disciples: The harvest is good but laborers are scarce. Beg the harvest master to send out laborers to gather his harvest.” Gospel of Matthew

“ I urge them, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving should be offered for everyone, for kings and others in authority, so that we may be able to live peaceful and quiet lives with all devotion and propriety.” 1 Timothy

“For me life means Christ” St. Paul

MOTTO

The Benedictine motto “Ora et Labora"---Prayer and Work describes our monastic life

JOB DESCRIPTION

Seek God Alone by living according to the Rule of St. Benedict and the monastic vows of stability, conversion, and obedience. The vow of stability is not primarily one of geography but one of saying this is where I have found God and here I’ll stay...it is a matter of deep faith. It is a matter of taking off one’s shoes because this is “holy ground”. By our vow of conversion is meant letting go of whatever occupies our hearts so that we may possess Christ. The vow of obedience is not a matter of carrying out orders willy-nilly. To obey, is to commit oneself as Christ did to serve and thus to make a total offering of oneself. The true object of obedience is God. The Rule is known for its balance and moderation; our life provides a balance between prayer, work, silence and study.

PURPOSE OF THE RETREAT
We offer this retreat to give you an opportunity to experience monastic life first hand. This program is designed to assist you in your discernment. There will be presentations from the Monks on monastic and vocational topics. Time will be provide for your questions. You will join the monks for prayer, meals, work and study.

DATES
Contact the Vocation Director for dates and additional information.

COST
There is no charge, to you, for the retreat except for your personal travel costs.

 AM I ?

...willing to work seriously at developing a solid spiritual life?          ..Roman Catholic?

...in reasonably good health and emotionally stable?           ..between the ages of 19 - 50

            ...willing to live the monastic life and vows?

APPLY

The first place to look is within yourself. Do you have the passion, the desire and the courage to test the call that you feel deep within yourself?   Do you hear the Lord Jesus calling,      “Come and See...?”

If you do contact our vocation director:

Br. Michael O’Brien, O.S.B.
St. Benedict’s Abbey
12605 224th Avenue
Benet Lake, WI 53102

Phone 888-482-1044 ext: 114

e-mail: vocations@Benetlake.org