Beco­ming a Monk in Rein

TEMPORARY MONASTERY: VISITING THE COMMUNITY

“Monk” is not a clas­sic pro­fes­si­on. It is a lifel­ong voca­ti­on. Inte­res­ted par­ties are gui­ded through seve­ral stages into this life as a monk. The so-cal­led “tem­po­ra­ry monas­tery” is a casu­al visit with the oppor­tu­ni­ty to seek God and get to know the com­mu­ni­ty. Pray­er and par­ti­ci­pa­ti­on in work and meals form the most important cor­ner­sto­nes of the stay, which lasts an avera­ge of five weeks.

CANDIDACY:
ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORDER

If the inte­rest is con­firm­ed during the first visit, one asks to be accept­ed into the “can­di­da­cy.” The can­di­da­te moves into the monas­tery, prays, works, and lives in the com­mu­ni­ty. During this time, the can­di­da­te is free to lea­ve at any time. Requi­re­ment: at least 18 years old, the Matu­ra (Aus­tri­an A‑levels) or a com­ple­ted app­ren­ti­ce­ship.

NOVITIATE:
THE APPRENTICESHIP IN THE MONASTERY

The next step to beco­ming a monk is the request for admis­si­on to the novitia­te. If the abbot and the chap­ter agree, the solemn inves­ti­tu­re takes place. During this lit­ur­gy, the young man recei­ves the white habit of the novices and a new name. He is addres­sed as Fra­ter and recei­ves ins­truc­tion in all disci­pli­nes of monastic life.

Tem­po­ra­ry Pro­fes­si­on:
Visi­bly BEING a Monk

After the app­ren­ti­ce­ship, the Fra­ter – after a vote by the chap­ter – makes his tem­po­ra­ry pro­fes­si­on. As part of a cele­bra­ti­on, the novice recei­ves the black sca­pu­lar and cinc­tu­re of the Cis­ter­ci­ans, pro­mi­ses obe­dience accor­ding to church law, and reads the pro­fes­si­on cer­ti­fi­ca­te in the pre­sence of the assem­bled con­vent or com­mu­ni­ty. During the tem­po­ra­ry pro­fes­si­on (dura­ti­on: 3 years), the monk beg­ins trai­ning or fur­ther edu­ca­ti­on and incre­asing­ly sup­ports the house through the offices (works) assi­gned to him. Even during this time, he is always free to ask for the dis­so­lu­ti­on of the vows.

SOLEMN PROFESSION: “COMPLETION” WITH VOWS

The solemn pro­fes­si­on marks the end of the “trai­ning” to beco­me a monk. The com­ple­te devo­ti­on to God through the monastic com­mu­ni­ty is pro­mi­sed “usque ad mor­tem” (until death). If the con­vent chap­ter agrees, the con­fre­re may take his eter­nal vows during a solemn holy mass and is now a full mem­ber of the com­mu­ni­ty with all rights and obli­ga­ti­ons.

Beco­ming a Monk in Stift Rein

Pater Rapha­el is the guest mas­ter at Stift Rein and will be hap­py to ans­wer any ques­ti­ons.

Tel: +43 650 8782801

E‑mail: raphael.fuhrmann@stift-rein.at

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