-
February 3, 2019The profession of two young men as Benedictine monks took place in the Abbey Church February 2, 2019. During Vespers on February 2, 2019, Novice Casey Simpson and Novice John Fryer presented their written and signed petitions to Abbot Leonard who then received their public profession of monastic vows for three years. Reflecting this change in their state of life, the Abbot assigned each a new name. After three years from that time, they will be eligible to make their final, perpetual vows. Br. Thomas More (Casey) Simpson comes from Shreveport, but was born and reared in Many, Louisiana. He worked in political campaigns, took Liberal Arts degree from LSU and a Civil Law degree from Loyola New Orleans. He practiced law for twenty years before entering Subiaco Abbey. Br. Ambrose (John) Fryer comes from Alexandria, LA where he was a teacher in the Diocesan school. Teaching was not his first calling, priesthood was. However, upon completion of his seminary education (St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, LA and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC) he felt he wanted some "life" experience before being ordained. What was supposed to be a couple years sabbatical turned into twenty! He is always amazed at how God moves in his life. He still desires priesthood, however, as someone once stated to him, he has had the ability to influence more people's lives in the classroom than in the pulpit. Br. Ambrose is pleased to have a new way (with God's grace) to serve God, the Church and the world as a professed monk.
