Norcia's Discernment Program

We have noted and promoted here before the importance of the monastic vocation in the context of a new liturgical movement, and accordingly, I wished to bring the following to our readers attention: a three and a half week, summer vocational discernment program at the Benedictine Monastery of San Benedetto in Norcia -- the birthplace of St. Benedict. (For those not familiar, Dom Cassian Folsom, OSB, is the prior of this monastery, and the monks are English speaking.)

As the flyer below notes, this programme is not simply for men discerning a monastic vocation, but any vocation -- however, it certainly would be a particularly good opportunity for those who might be discerning a call to the monastic life.

The programme course is drawn from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, as well as from the monastic tradition and includes weekly outings to important places in the life of St. Benedict.

The Monastery of San Benedetto in Norcia will hold its 11th annual summer vocational discernment program in 2011 from July 4 – July 29.

The purpose of the program is to offer young men (usually age 18-30) a time to discern God’s will for their life in a more concentrated way than normal worldly circumstances permit. Attendees will be invited to participate in the life of the monks as a way to guide their decision.

Participants should try to arrive a few days early to get over the jet lag. To apply, please write to the Novice Master at vocations@osbnorcia.org.

See: Monastero San Benedetto Discernment Program

Also see: A Word from the Novice Master