First Profession of Monastic Vows of Fr Stephen
Our Lady of Sorrows / Our Lady of Solitude
15 September 2026
Today, we turn to Mary as she continues to stand by her Crucified Son, Jesus Christ. She does so not only from the cradle to the cross, or from the Womb to the Tomb, but truly, from Conception to Resurrection and Ascension. She gives us the example of a true disciple of Jesus who remains steadfast in solitude.
Fr Stephen, may Mary in Solitude be your Morning Star as you continue in your monastic journey in a more committed way, now that you express readiness to profess your first vows.
Mary in Solitude is exemplary in Obedience, Stability, and Fidelity to the Call to be the Mother of Jesus.
Humility is key to Mary’s obedience. Follow her example in humble obedience to God, the Monastic Rule of St. Benedict, and the Monastic Leader, and all the brothers. Mary will support you in divesting yourself of self-will and so be able to serve only the will of God for the good of the monastic community and of the whole Church.
Grace is always sufficient to abide by God at all times, in all circumstances. Mary’s trust in God kept her steadfast in Jesus through all the challenges of His public ministry that culminated at the Cross. As Mary embraced her expanded role of being Mother to all believers at the foot of the Cross, so you too can trust and abide by God, who calls you to this monastic life now here at Mepkin.
See how God has led your heart for service in the Church through years of ministry with the Missionaries of Charity Fathers in Tijuana, Mexico, and later with the religious Community in Ohio, the Order of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts of Jesus and Mary. COVID did not deter you from further serving the Church with the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy in Massachusetts. And when your long-time friend and former Spiritual Director, Bishop Felipe Estevez, got very ill while on sabbatical here at Mepkin and summoned for assistance, you never flinched and obliged. You may never have known at that time who was calling you and why. Now, it is clear that God wants you to serve His Church in silence, in solitude, just like Mary, in the contemplative Cistercian life here at Mepkin.
Places and people you serve may continue to evolve, as did Mary. But she shows how only fidelity to the call of life remains constant. No matter how the demands of life may change- demands that call for uncomfortable personal lifestyle modifications- fidelity to the call of life that you more formally embrace now is what matters.
Finally, though this is a very personal endeavor that you embrace, our Cistercian–Trappist monastic life is cenobitic. We are forever related to one another as brothers in the same journey as we all seek God in the same monastic path until we are all fully together with God in the fullness of life that He calls us to.
May the Holy Spirit inspire, guide, strengthen, and continue to firm up your resolve in this monastic journey.
Through the intercession of Mary, Our Lady in Solitude, may God, who has begun this good work in you, bring it to fulfillment in the Day of Christ Jesus.
