What exactly is the “call” to Benedictine monastic life?
If you read up about discernment in religious life, you’ll often note the use of the word “vocation.”
“Vocation” originates from the Latin vocare, to call. Of course, orienting the discernment process around a “call” raises many questions. What does that call sound like? Is it a matter of desire or destiny? How can I be certain that this is what I’m being called to?
As you explore how to become a monk, you’ll want to understand what that call truly is—and is not—and how you can best navigate it.
Heeding the call
In Benedictine spirituality, a monk rarely feels a dramatic call to a monastery like St. Bede’s. Rather, the call is more persistent. Think of a quiet pull toward silence. Or a desire for rhythm over achievement. And, of course, a hunger for God’s presence that doesn’t cease.
Some may imagine themselves in the monastery and feel a strange peace at the thought of staying. Others may feel relief at the thought of not “performing” in secular life anymore. A more concrete sign may appear through your regular involvement in parish life or a love of the liturgy.
When we think of a vocation in a secular career, many describe themselves as feeling “driven.” Often this is tied to desires of one’s ego or for status.
But for a Benedictine monk, that ego-driven stance is dismantled. A monk isn’t called to “do something great.” Instead, they’re invited to “come and stay.”
So rather than imagining a list of achievements, someone discerning the path to Benedictine monastic life might instead feel a call to a deeper prayer life or an urge to simplify. There may even be an explicit desire to detach from achievement.
Of course, not everyone who feels this call is meant for monastic life. But that attraction is always meaningful.
The Benedictine meaning of calling
Many have noted that the first word written in The Rule is “listen.” It’s not to perform or to decide or to achieve.
For a Benedictine monk, listening means an attentiveness to your interior movements. It’s an awareness of where peace deepens. Silence plays a major role in Benedictine life and monks’ prayer, in part, because it creates a posture more receptive to the word of God.
Think of this time as your first opportunity to adopt that posture and begin to truly observe your thoughts around monastic life.
When is it time to answer the call?
You may be wondering when that urge you feel is, in fact, a true call to monastic life. These early days are often accompanied by deep discernment and prayer. By now, you may have even reached out to a Benedictine monastery, like our monastery in Illinois.
Learn more about the steps others may take to answer the call here.
Inside your heart, you will certainly notice some changing desires that bring you closer to monastic life.
The idea of following the path to monastic life will start to feel stronger than remaining in the secular world. You may even feel a sense of peace. Not because the path ahead is easy, but because it’s aligned with your desires. Joining our monastery in Illinois may feel less like an exciting change of pace, and more of a true expression of desire.
And yet, you may even feel fear, despite also feeling the call.
It’s important to note the Benedictine community begins to play a role at this point. In monastic life, Benedictines discern communally. As you begin a relationship with an abbey or spiritual advisor, they will want to see signs of humility, teachability, emotional stability and perseverance. For you, this step may very well involve St. Bede’s own monks.
For a more in-depth answer to "How do I become a monk?" click here.
This is just the beginning of formally joining monastic life and becoming a Benedictine monk. If this exploration of the call speaks to you, and you want to learn more about how to become a monk, please get in contact with us using this form.
