Monastic Vocations at Conception Abbey

MEET THE VOCATION DIRECTOR

Why are young men joining Conception Abbey? Because the Benedictine way of life is one of conversion and that leads to a deep, abiding peace and communion with God. We are looking for Roman Catholic men, ages 18-35, who desire prayer, beautiful liturgy, community life, an appreciation for the Psalms and Sacred Scriptures, and silence and simplicity of life. We seek men with integrity, intelligence, and initiative. If you sense God might be leading you to monastic life, then I invite you to contact me and let me help you discern Conception Abbey.

Fr. Paul made his monastic profession in 2006 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2013. He serves as Abbey Vocation Director, Director of Spiritual Formation for Conception Seminary College, and Director of Abbey Guest Center.

Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB | Vocation Director

monks@conception.edu | (660) 944-2857

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MONKS OF CONCEPTION ABBEY

Who are we?

We, the monks of Conception Abbey, are a group of Roman Catholic monks—priests and brothers—who seek the Kingdom of God by:

Following the Rule of St. Benedict.
Living in community under the leadership of an abbot;
Embracing vows of obedience, stability, and fidelity to the monastic way of life.

What do we do?

We live out the Benedictine motto Ora et Labora (Prayer and Work) by:

Offering the Eucharist and chanting the Liturgy of the Hours each day in service to the Church and the world;
Personally seeking God in lectio divina and individual prayer;
Forming and educating candidates for the diocesan priesthood and the diaconate;
Welcoming guests and conducting retreats to let them share in our life of prayer;
Sharing our faith through the creation and distribution of Christian greeting cards and religious gifts;
Ministering to the wider Church in parishes and chaplaincies.

Where are we going?

We are moving into the future as a growing and thriving community in service to the Church and the world.
We strive to challenge and support each other on our pilgrimage towards everlasting life.

MONASTIC EXPERIENCE RETREATS

A Monastic Experience weekend is an opportunity to discern the call to monastic life by visiting Conception Abbey and interacting with the monastic community. During the weekend, you have the opportunity to:

Pray the Divine Office with the community
Join the community for meals in the monastic refectory
Listen to conferences on monastic spirituality and discernment
Spend time in personal prayer and lectio divina
Have the opportunity for recreation

We are looking for Roman Catholic men, ages 18-35, who desire prayer and community life, an appreciation for the Psalms and Sacred Scriptures, and silence and simplicity of life. We seek men with integrity, intelligence, and initiative.

If you are discerning monastic life and sense that a weekend like this would be beneficial for you, review the dates and contact Fr. Paul to register or to respond to any questions you may have.

Upcoming Monastic Experience Retreats
April 17-20, 2025 (Triduum Retreat)
August 8-10, 2025
October 31-November 2, 2025
December 19-21, 2025

There is also the opportunity to schedule an individual visit if you are unable to attend one of the specific dates listed above.

Please contact Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB, at (660) 944-2857 or monks@conception.edu for more information or to schedule a visit.

DISCERNMENT GROUPS

Our Discernment Groups are very effective in helping a man discern monastic life. Experience community and be challenged to grow in your faith life. The group meets on Thursdays from 7:00-8:15 PM CST via Zoom. In these sessions, you will receive personal attention, prayerful support, and accountability with the goal of assisting you and moving forward your discernment. The next discernment group will begin during the Spring 2025, and meets for 5 weeks. Please contact Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB, monks@conception.edu to learn more about joining.

BECOMING A MONK

It is important in your prayer to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you in your discernment. Listening to the Holy Spirit and the many ways God speaks to us is essential to discerning your vocation.

Period of Inquiry

After establishing contact with the Vocation Director, candidates are often encouraged to come visit for a weekend or an extended stay, depending on their schedule. The purpose of these visits is to allow the individual to come to know our community and to allow the monastic community to come to know the candidate. Many questions about our way of life and practices are usually answered by living it. Any initial fears or anxieties usually disappear when one experiences our life firsthand and has an opportunity to meet the monks. When an adequate time of discernment has elapsed, if a candidate feels called to the community, and the Vocation Director sees him as a good candidate, he may request or be invited to begin the application process.

Postulancy

After a candidate applies and is accepted to enter the monastery, the period of postulancy may last between one month and one year, depending upon one’s background and how well the individual is acquainted with the community. The postulancy is a time of becoming accustomed to the monastic way of life primarily by living it. It is a period for discerning whether one should proceed to the novitiate.

Novitiate

After living as a postulant, the candidate may petition the community to enter the novitiate. The novitiate lasts one year and is an intensified period of discernment of one's vocation. During this year, the novice studies the Rule of St. Benedict, Sacred Scripture, and monastic history; is introduced to the practice of lectio divina; and is engaged in a variety of work around the monastery.

Monastic Vows

Towards the end of the novitiate, the novice may choose to petition the community to make his first profession of vows, which are for three years. It is during the profession ceremony that the Abbot bestows on the newly professed brother a new name. During these three years, the monk is given greater responsibility in the community as he continues his monastic formation.

After three years and the approval of the community, the brother is eligible to make solemn vows, a lifetime commitment, which is the total gift of self in consecration to God.

Contact the Vocation Director →

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