August 23, 2024

Saint Meinrad Archabbey receives new novice on Aug. 5

Nov. Owen Meredith, O.S.B.In a recent ceremony at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, a new novice was received by the monastic community.

Benedictine Novice Owen Meredith was clothed in the Benedictine habit on Aug. 5. He now begins a year of monastic formation, including study of the Rule of St. Benedict and monastic history.

Novice Owen, 34, a native of Forest City, Ill., was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Manito, Ill.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2014 in theater technology with minors in music and religious studies at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill.

Before entering the monastery, Novice Owen worked as a handyman for the Hermits of St. Mary of Carmel in Houston, Minn. He has experience as a contractor, general laborer and landscaper and built a home for his parents in Manito.

Novice Owen was also a seminarian for the Diocese of Springfield, Ill., receiving priestly formation at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis.

As a novice, he takes a year off from formal studies and trades. The novitiate is a time of prayer and learning intended to help a novice discern his vocation as a monk. At the end of this year, a novice may be permitted to profess temporary vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life and stability in the community of Saint Meinrad. †

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