Open Hearts, Open Doors

These past few days have been filled with God’s many blessings.
On August 14, Novice Adam Haake, a priest of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, who has discerned a call to monastic life at Conception Abbey, is testing that call in the novitiate.  During this one year period of discernment, he will pray and work as one of the monks and see if God is leading him toward profession in our monastic community.  Please keep him in your prayers.

Above:  Novice Adam is clothed with the tunic and short scapular.
Below:  Novice Adam receives a copy of the Rule of St. Benedict.

The following day, after completing his one year novitiate, Novice Eric made simple vows (for 3 years).  As part of the ceremony, he receives a new name from the Abbot.  Novice Eric became “Brother Luke”, named after the 3rd Evangelist, St. Luke.  It is wonderful to have Brother Luke in our midst.

Above:  Brother Luke signs his profession document on the altar.
Below:  Brother Luke is greeted by Abbot Gregory with the sign of peace.

Below:  Brother Luke and his family.

Continuing the festivities on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), the monks had another open-house.  This one was specifically for the family of the monks.  All were able to tour the first two floors of the newly renovated monastery.

Above:  Br. Etienne gives a tour to his mother and brother.
Below:  Br. Maximilian and the Burkhart clan take over the monastic refectory.

Last, but not least:  August 15 is a special day for many of the monks.  In recent years, it is the day when monks make their profession of vows.  Gathered below in this picture are the monks who professed on this day.  All are lined up in order of when they professed vows.

Br. Thomas, 1969
Br. Bernard and Fr. Martin (not pictured), 1970
Br. Justin, 1973
Br. Jude, 1986
Br. Jeremiah, 1997
Br. Elias, 1998
Fr. Pachomius, 2002
Fr. Guerric, 2003
Fr. Macario, 2004
Br. David and Fr. Victor, 2005
Fr. Paul, 2006
Br. Placid, 2008
Br. Maximilian, 2009
Br. Etienne, 2010
Br. Luke, 2015

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