Brother Robert receives the novice habit
On Saturday evening, October 31st, the Eve of All Saints, the Mepkin community gathered in the chapter room of the monastery with our abbot, Dom Stanislaus, to pray with Brother Robert, as he was clothed with the novice habit. Having completed a year of prayer and study as a postulant, living the life fully with all the brothers in the community and having come to believe God is calling him to advance in this monastic way, Robert had asked to receive the novice habit and his request was met with a favorable reply. A novice wears a white robe, as do all monks, and the white scapular and white cloth belt that identify him as a novice. Over these garments he wears a white cloak. The cloak is worn by novices and those in temporary or simple vows. Robert joins Brother Juan and Brother Martin in the two further years of prayer and study that are the preparation for profession of simple vows.
Brother Robert came to us from Goose Creek, right here in South Carolina. Born in the Midwest, his father’s military service brought the family to the Charleston area. Robert was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Parish. Having studied in the local public schools, he went on to complete a degree in computer science from the College of Charleston and has enjoyed working in that field. Among his involvements before coming to the monastery he sang with the parish choir.
We pray in gratitude to God for calling Brother Robert to our life and ask you to join us in praying for him that he may persevere in the path to which God has led him.
