Meet Mepkin’s new postulant Fr. Francis Dankoski
Mepkin welcomed Fr. Francis Dankoski as a postulant on Sept.15.
Fr. Francis comes to us from the Diocese of Steubenville. Bishop Felipe Estevez is a good friend of Fr. Francis. After he retired as the bishop of St. Augustine in Florida, Bishop Estevez came to Iive at Mepkin for several months in order that he might have an extended time of prayer.
Coming to visit his friend several times, Fr. Francis participated in our prayer and gave himself the opportunity to learn more about our life. With a keen sense of the contemplative example given us by Mary (“she pondered these things in her heart”) and seeing that each of the hours ends with a commendation to the Blessed Mother, curiosity gave way to a process of discernment of a call.
Fr. Francis’ visits evolved into several months with us as an observer. Having given himself an extended time for prayerful discernment, Fr. Francis initiated a formal request to enter and has now come and joined our community.
Please join us in praying for Fr. Francis as he continues his journey of ongoing discernment and formation in the Cistercian charism.