After a long pandemic-related delay, Gethsemani’s monks were pleased to welcome Saint Meinrad Archabbey‘s novices from Nov. 5 through Nov. 7. For decades, novices of Gethsemani and Saint Meinrad have visited one another’s monasteries during formation. The visits allow participants to learn first-hand about each community’s expression of the Rule of St. Benedict.

Accompanied by their Novice Director Fr. Thomas Gricoski, OSB, Novices Connor Zink and Matthew Morris joined Gethsemani’s monks in liturgy and at table. Per tradition, they joined Gethsemani’s novitiate – Novice Master Fr. Lawrence and novices Br. Godric, Fr. Raphael and Br. Alberic – for an afternoon at Thomas Merton’s hermitage. Fr. Michael, Gethsemani’s Prior, also joined the visit. There they shared vocation stories (as well as fruitcake and fudge) and learned more about one another and their ways of life.

Located in Saint Meinrad, Indiana, Saint Meinrad Archabbey was founded by the Swiss Abbey of Einsiedeln in the 1850s – just a few years after Gethsemani’s founders arrived from France. As Benedictines, they follow the same rule of life as the monks of Gethsemani, though in a different tradition. While the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, which includes Gethsemani, is strictly ordered to contemplation, the monks of St. Meinrad operate a seminary and school of theology, help staff parishes and perform other ministries.

After Sunday Mass and dinner, the visitors were on their way home with a more than a few pounds of fudge. We are grateful for their visit and keep our brother monks in prayer.

Left to Right: Br. Godric, Fr. Michael, Prior, Novice Connor Zink, Br. Alberic, Novice Matthew Morris, Fr. Raphael and Fr. Thomas Gricoski, OSB
The novices gathered for conversation at the hermitage once used by Thomas Merton.