WHAT LED YOU TO BECOME A MONK AT SUBIACO?

I grew up in St. Louis with one older brother and both of my parents. My dad, originally from Spain, worked as an electrician and my mom helped out at the local Catholic school, working closely with the nuns. I went to that same grade school before attending Assumption High school where I graduated. After graduating, I worked with my dad in Fairmount City. I also spent time mowing yards, which was a small business I started.

When I was in high school, eight of us went to Rome. We met Pope John Paul II, and he told my mom that I was going to be a monk. It was the first time I considered a religious vocation. It took me a little while, but eventually, I joined Corpus Christi Abbey in Texas in 1987. I was thirty years old. 

They put my previous experience to use. I spent a good bit of my time outside of prayer mowing. I also gave some youth retreats, helped in the sacristy, greeted guests as porter, and occasionally cooked. Unfortunately, the monastery was shrinking, and it looked like it would close. Fr. Jerome, when he was abbot, visited to help, and that’s when I was first personally connected with Subiaco. 

Subiaco actually founded Corpus Christi Monastery, so after meeting Fr. Jerome and looking at the closing of our community, I knew where I needed to go. After a couple long conversations, I had everything in order and finally came to Subiaco in the early 2000’s. 

When I first came to Subiaco, the most powerful part of the experience was joining a group of men who lived out following God in their solid devotion to community and private prayer. It still took some work and time to get used to how things are done here as opposed to Corpus Christi. 

My favorite part about being a monk at Subiaco is the freedom I have to serve God. It’s as simple as that. Serve God. 
 

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