Mepkin Welcomes Br. Alan

July 21st, 2009

Br. Alan with his family and Abbot Stan

“Perseverance pays off,” remarked Alan Ross as he introduced his sister and brother-in-law to Abbot Stan on the Solemnity of Saint Benedict–a most appropriate day to begin his life as a monk of Mepkin Abbey. Having visited a number of times over a lengthy period, gradually advancing in the process of asking to enter, Alan came and lived with the community as an observer earlier this year. Expressing his desire to enter, the careful process was concluded with the invitation to take up his year as a postulant on this important feast which celebrates the life of the author of the rule that we live.

Alan knew Trappist life from visiting his mother’s brother, “Uncle Dick” - Father Marcellus of the Abbey of the Genesee. While he was happy for his uncle, those visits did not inspire in Alan a desire to enter the monastery. Having married and raised four children, Alan supported his family by his work for a large family-owned supermarket chain, where he advanced to be the district bakery/deli supervisor. It wasn’t until after a retreat at Gethsemani less than five years ago that the “tug” to consider the life matured.

With his two brothers (one now a priest) and four sisters, Alan grew up in a family where faith was nurtured and involvement in the church was a given. His mother was director of liturgical music for a large parish over many years and continues to serve as a cantor. The final phase of waiting for a decision from Mepkin found Alan not far away near Pelion, SC (near Columbia), reconstructing a barn for his sister and brother-in-law (see photo above). It was, in a sense, God’s design that his acceptance did not come until July of 2009, so that he could escort his daughter, Shawna, down the aisle on her wedding day, which was in late May. Alan is grateful for all the prayerful support he has received in these past few years and asks for your prayers as he begins his time of formation in the monastic way.