News - February 2020 RSS Feed

Novice Sam Jannise made profession as a Benedictine monk in the Subiaco Abbey Church February 2, 2020. During Vespers, Novice Sam presented his written and signed petition to Abbot Leonard who then welcomed his public profession of monastic vows for three years. Reflecting this change in his state of life, the Abbot assigned him a new name. After three years from that time, he will be eligible to make his final, perpetual vows. Br. Gabriel comes from Groves, Texas, where he lived most of his life before coming to Subiaco in 2018.  He is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas.  He has worked in various aspects of the printing industry for nearly 20 years before coming to the Abbey. The profession ceremony had six parts. (1) The novice made his request to become a monk. (2) Abbot Leonard addressed him in the name of the community. (3) He showed him the Rule of St. Benedict and asked if he were willing to observe; he then asked the novice to express his commitment by answering questions. (4) Br. Gabriel then read the document of his profession, in which he revealed his new monastic name. Then he showed the document to Abbot Leonard, signed it and gave it to him. (5) The Abbot blessed the monastic habit and clothed him with it. (6) The newly professed returned to his place in the community and Vespers continued.