2026 Entrances, Vows, and Ordinations

[Luigi]

This is from the Facebook page of Saint Bernard Benedictine Abbey in Alabama. If you look them up on Facebook (posted on March 30), you can see photographs of the two monks who made first vows. 

 

"Saint Bernard Abbey

etsSporond 189 f8c9gmh: 80gAMua516mcta3061g4ff Mr32a0981fah9 ·

On the 21st [of March], during our celebration of the Transitus, we witnessed a beautiful milestone in the life of our community.

Please join us in congratulating Brother Raphael Ray (Lebanon, TN) and Brother Damien Jackson (Anniston, AL), who have officially professed their simple vows!

After completing their novitiate, these brothers now enter three years of the Juniorate. Here, they will dive deeper into the Rule of St. Benedict, living out the promises of stability, conversion of life, and obedience in the 'school of the Lord’s service.'

We also ask for your continued prayers for our new novices: Br. Nicholas, Br. Boniface, and Br. Gabriel.

Special thanks to Anne Stephens for capturing the quiet joy and peace of this sacred day in these photographs."

 

Here's the news release (posted on march 23rd) about the three new novices. Again, there are pictures on the Facebook page. 

"Saint Bernard Abbey

etsSporond 189 f8c1gmh: 83gPMua516mcta3061g4ff Mr22a2981fah1 ·

Last Saturday’s celebration of the Transitus of St. Benedict was a day of deep joy and gratitude for our monastery.

In the course of the liturgy, three postulants were clothed in the holy habit and entered the novitiate, while two novices made their next step, professing temporary vows and entering the juniorate.

In our way of life, a man first spends six months as a postulant, learning the rhythms of prayer and community. He then receives the habit and begins a one-year novitiate, a more intense period of formation in the Rule of St. Benedict. After this, he may profess vows and enter the juniorate, a three-year period of continued formation before solemn profession.

With the reception of the habit, the new novices also receive new names:

Austin Smith is now Br. Nov. Nicholas (after St. Nicholas of Myra, feast day December 6)

Timothy Boland is now Br. Nov. Boniface (Apostle to Germany, feast day June 5)

Michael Maddox is now Br. Nov. Gabriel (after the Archangel, feast day September 29)

With this, the monastery now has all three archangels represented: Br. Michael, Br. Gabriel, and Br. Raphael.

Please keep these brothers in prayer as they begin this new stage of monastic life.

(Photos: the new novices. Photos of the newly professed juniors will be shared soon—stay tuned.)"

Edited April 2 by Luigi

[Luigi]

A new postulant at the Trappist abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky (USA). 

https://monks.org/march-12-2026-we-welcome-ryan-sullivan-to-our-community/

[Luigi]

The Handmaids of the Precious Blood announce that their aspirant, Hannah, is now a postulant. 

https://nunsforpriests.org/vocations-milestone-hannah-enters-postulancy/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRKSaRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEei1mve_jQiBjxamnZKx3gUO6dqCXhR2RcFlBAv5v5Lv2qq9anlwUVSruFX_4_aem_YMXI8bGqLLJaFo7_gSoIVw