A calling from the Lord

“You did not choose me,” Jesus declared, “but I chose you.” (Jn. 15, 16) The call to leave the world and enter the monastery comes from God. St. Benedict exclaims: “What can be more agreeable to us, dear brothers, than this voice of the Lord inviting us? Behold, in his loving kindness the Lord point out to us the way of life.” Pr. 19-20) This call takes on various forms and always presents itself in a highly personal manner.

Why leave the world?

God so loved the world that he” sent us “his only begotten Son.” (Jn 3, 16). Jesus also declared: “I am the light of the world.” However, those who do not receive this light, live in a certain darkness. This darkness comes not from God, but from a world which remains closed in upon itself, and which rejects the true source of life. Leaving the world in no way implies indifference toward the rest of humanity; it is done, rather, to protect one’s radical calling to live for God alone. Paradoxically, external separation from the world fosters a deeper solidarity with the human family, through prayer and charity.

Probation

St. Benedict recommends that a candidate’s vocation be tested to verify that his calling comes from God. “Test the spirits to see whether they are of God.” (1 Jn 4, 1 quoted by RB 58, 2). This presupposes a long period of discernment and formation. The Rule indicates the basic criteria necessary for proper discernment. One must “consider whether” the novice “truly seeks God; and whether he is zealous for the divine office, obedience and humiliations. Let him be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God.” (RB 58, 7-8)

Stages

If someone wishes to become a monk, he first needs to become acquainted with the monastery by spending time there as a guest.

If he perseveres in his request, and if he possesses the requisite dispositions, he is received into the novitiate. His formation, prior to his first (temporary) vows, lasts an average of three years. This period includes various stages: pre-postulancy, postulancy, canonical novitiate, and temporary vows. After this, there are at least three more years before a monk is ready to make perpetual vows.

A candidate is thus able to reflect at great length before making a final commitment. And the community has ample time to discern his vocation as a brother sent by the Lord to dwell for the rest of his days at the monastery. There, he will continually join the other monks in singing the psalm verse which was often quoted by the St. Augustine and other Church Fathers, as an ideal description of monastic life: “Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” (Ps. 132, 1)