“Consider carefully whether he truly seeks God, and is zealous for the work of God, for obedience, and for humiliations. Let him be told all the difficulties and trials whereby one goes to God.”
(Rule of St. Benedict: Ch. 58)
Why, in the twenty-first century—an age of opportunity—would a man become a monk? Could it be that some young men are dissatisfied with worldly values? Are you? Open your heart to prayer. If God’s invitation is there, the monastic life as a priest or brother will be attractive; it will resonate with your generous spirit, and you’ll want to join this community.
We are Benedictine monks. This means that we endeavor to follow the rule written by St. Benedict in the 6th century. This monastic Rule sets down a structure by which we can orient our lives toward seeking Christ and offering ourselves to him. A monk vows obedience to his Abbot and the Rule, stability to a particular community, and conversatio morum, which means a life-long converstion to Christ. Thus we have the privilege, freedom, and space to grow in the Spirit and to continue our search for God through prayer and work, within a framework of fraternal support.
Assumption Abbey is located in the rugged beauty and solitude of America's high northern plains. We strive to seek God through a simple life independent of our consumer-driven society, focused on Christ in the context of a Benedictine monastic community. if you are discerning a call from God to a religious life consisting of prayer, work, and service, we invite you to continue viewing this website with the menu item, Becoming a Monk, and also contacting our Vocation Director.