Novice joins Benedictine community
Monday, August 8, 2022In a brief ceremony, Novice José Angel Romero-Olivas was clothed in the Benedictine habit at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, on August 5, 2022.
In a brief ceremony, Novice José Angel Romero-Olivas was clothed in the Benedictine habit at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, on August 5, 2022.
He now begins a year of monastic formation, including study of the Rule of St. Benedict and monastic history.
Novice Angel, 38, is a native of Chihuahua, Mexico, where he was a member of Santa Rosalia Parish. He attended the Autonomous University of Chihuahua Law School.
Before entering the monastery, he worked at the Mexican consulate and in law.
Novices take a year off from formal studies and trades. The novitiate is a time of prayer and learning intended to help a novice discern his vocation as a monk.
At the end of this year, a novice may be permitted to profess temporary vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life, and stability in the community of Saint Meinrad.