November 2, 2014

National Vocation Awareness Week

We celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week, November 2nd – 8th, an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.

This past weekend, Conception Abbey welcomed 6 men for our fall Monastic Experience weekend. The men arrived Friday, October 31, in time for Evening Prayer with the monks. Our guests joined the monastic community for prayer, meals, and even a game night. They also had meetings with Br. Bernard, the Novicemaster, and Abbot Gregory, where they were able to ask questions and learn more about monastic life.

Below: Br. Bernard discusses monastic formation and the Rule of St. Benedict.

Below: Abbot Gregory talks about the role of the Abbot and shares his own story of how he ended up visiting Conception Abbey.

Saturday evening, several of the monks and our guests enjoyed a social and game night. We played cards and a couple different board games. It was an opportunity to get to know some members of the community in an informal and relaxed setting.

Our guests also joined us for Sunday Eucharist in Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) and the All Souls Day Procession to the cemetery.