Discover Your Call
Mary Mother of the Church Abbey is located just west of Richmond, Virginia, in a peaceful setting on approximately 50 acres overlooking the historic James River. Nearby is Tuckahoe Plantation, the home where Thomas Jefferson began his early education.
Within this bucolic location, our monks live out the Benedictine tradition of “ora et labora.” Our monastic community is not insular and cut off from the world, but is part of the world. We commit ourselves each day to seek God as we serve the community.
Becoming a Monk:
The Five Stages of Formation
Entering religious life is an intentionally in-depth process so that you have time to immerse yourself in the community and be certain this is the place for you.
There are 5 stages of formation on the way to becoming a monk:
During the first stage, young men are encouraged to learn more about the monastery, its monks, and the basic structure of life in the community. A visit to the abbey is highly recommended. Candidates often make several visits to the abbey in addition to participating in a “live in” weekend. The weekend experience gives pre-candidates an opportunity to experience two days of being a monk (prayer, work, meals, and recreation). Upon completing the weekend experience, one can apply to become a candidate at the monastery.
This stage lasts six months. During this stage, the candidate gets to experience the monastic life for a longer duration than he experienced previously over a weekend stay. This allows the candidate more time to explore the life of a monk in depth, and it also allows the community to get to know the candidate better.
Toward the completion of the Candidacy, a candidate may request admittance to the novitiate (the third stage). Upon his acceptance for the novitiate by the Monastic Chapter, he will receive a monastic habit (robe) and begin his year of intensive formation which includes Benedictine and general spirituality, a detailed study of the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, monastic history, and liturgy. A daily work schedule is an integral part of the novitiate program.
At the end of the novitiate the novice requests to profess simple (or temporary) vows. The Monastic Chapter, after hearing an evaluation of the novice’s progress during the novitiate, votes on his acceptance into the monastic community for, normally, a three-year period. The monastic vows he promises are: Stability, Conversatio Morum (a promise to work each day at living the monastic life) and Obedience. The promises of poverty and celibacy are included in the vow of Conversatio Morum.
At the end of the three-year period of simple vows, the monk may request to profess solemn vows, thus becoming a life-time member of this monastic community. After this final profession the monk’s formation continues through worship, liturgical and private prayer, daily spiritual reading, spiritual conferences and work. He may go on for further training through workshops and other studies including preparation for the priesthood.
Apostolates
Apostolates
Our religious works, or apostolates, keep us busy at the Abbey, around the Diocese of Richmond and throughout the universal Church. You will find opportunities to share your talents as you seek God through a prayerful life.
Praying (Seeking God)
Education Apostolate
Retreats
Ministry to the Sick
Parish Apostolate
Our Monks’ Stories
Want to know more? Read about our monks and the journeys that led them to the Order of Saint Benedict.
Meet the Monks
BROTHER’S NAME 1
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BROTHER’S NAME 2
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BROTHER’S NAME 3
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BROTHER’S NAME 4
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