After completing his six-month postulancy, Jamison Henry was clothed in the novice habit on Aug. 16. After an exhortation based on a reading from the Rule of St. Benedict, he received his white robe, scapular, cincture and cloak during the Sunday Chapter meeting. He also took on a new name – Br. Alberic.

The taking of a new name is an ancient tradition within monasticism as a sign of taking on the “new man” in Christ. St. Alberic, Br. Alberic’s namesake, was the second abbot of Cîteaux, one of the three Holy Founders of the Cistercian Order.

As a novice, Br. Alberic will take on new duties and further integrate into the life of the community. After two years of discernment as a novice, he may request to take simple vows and become a junior monk.

Please pray for Br. Alberic, our two other novices and all our Order’s monks and nuns in formation.