What Led You to Become a Monk at Subiaco?

I grew up on the beautiful West Coast of Florida, 22 miles from Tampa International Airport, and a half-mile from the Gulf of Mexico, in the small little town of Palm Harbor. (Palm Harbor is neither small or little any more.) After graduation from Tarpon Springs High School in 1963, I worked for a couple of years and then enlisted into the Navy. After completing Boot Camp at Great Lakes, IL, I received orders to the U.S. Naval Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes, which is what I had requested. After Corps School, I was stationed in Norfolk, VA, U.S. Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune, NC, where I worked on a Medical floor, the Burn Unit and eventually as 3-11 Corpsman in charge of the ER at the Naval Hospital. In August of 1967, I received orders to the 2nd MAF to learn the Marine's way of doing things in preparation to serve with the Marines as a Corpsman in Vietnam. After serving in Japan and Vietnam, I returned to the States in 1968 and was discharged in 1969.

I had always been active in my church, and when I entered the Navy and was at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital, I met Chaplain, Lt. Fr. John. We talked, and I expressed my desire to become a Brother. I knew nothing of the different religious orders, but I wanted an order that did hospital work.

After I was discharged from the Navy, my 3 buddy's and I, all discharged at the same time, became the first of 4 male Nursing Assistants hired by Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville. All of us were Navy Corpsmen.

One day, I went for a long walk on Jacksonville Beach, and God and I had a long talk. I was trying to decide about that deep desire to serve God in a religious vocation. I spoke with Fr. Thomas Gordon at my parish and also Fr. Michael at another parish. In 1973, I accepted a position as a Surgical Technologist at Lakeland General Hospital, Lakeland, FL. I became very active in my local chapter of Surgical Technologist and accepted an appointment as a Member of the National Education Committee for our region and eventually chaired the committee. I was appointed to the Onsite Visitation Team for Accreditation of Surgical Technology Programs. I ran for the National Nominations Committee, was elected, and also chaired that committee. I was also active in my parish of St. Joseph, in Lakeland, as Lector, Cantor, Trainer of Altar Servers, and Eucharistic Minister.

I enjoyed my work, had a nice apartment, nice car, my comfortable old Siamese (Rufus), and 3 weeks paid vacation a year. I was also close to my family, had a close cousin living in Lakeland, and lived by great friends, some of whom I still keep in contact with. But something was missing.

I made an appointment and spoke with Fr. Les Brown. After our conference he said, "I hear you saying what you want, but have you ever asked God what He wants you to do?"

It was like someone turned on the light! We talked a little more, and then I left, went to the church, knelt before the Tabernacle, and with tears said: "Lord, I've tried, and I don't know what to do. Do you want me to enter a religious community, or stay and do what I am doing now? Lord, What do you want me to do?"

It was close to Christmas, and friends asked me to join them for Mid-Night Mass at St. Leo Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery just 35 miles N.W. of Lakeland.Five months later, I resigned from Lakeland Regional and entered St. Leo Abbey.

There was, however, still the strong longing to work as a Surgical Technologist. Lakeland and Tampa had hospitals where I could work, but they were 35 miles away. In Surgery, I would have had to be on call in case of an emergency and able to be at the hospital within 15 - 20 minutes. So that was not going to work.

On vacation in 1996, I visited a friend who was a former Youth Minister in St. Petersburg and had entered St. Pius X Abbey in Columbia, MO. There were five hospitals within four miles of the Abbey. I spoke with the Abbot before I left and did a lot of praying, soul searching, and crying. When I arrived back, I spoke with Abbot Fidelis, a couple of close Brother monks at St. Leo, and my family and a few close friends. So it was with a very heavy heart that I submitted my request to transfer from St. Leo to St. Pius X Abbey.

About 8 months after I arrived at Pius X, I asked the Abbot if I could place my application at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. I enjoyed my return to the O.R. and was surprised how fast a lot of techniques and procedures returned. Though a lot of advances in instruments, techniques, and procedures had been made in the seven years since I last scrubbed, much was the same.

St. Pius X was a small community with 16 monks. A few decided they wanted to go and serve as priests in a diocese, so we began to have monks leave monastic life. Vocations were not as plentiful as they were in the 50's and 60's. So unfortunately, we became a very small community of nine. Eventually, the decision was made that St. Pius X Abbey should be suppressed and then closed. That was extremely painful, difficult, and heartbreaking for all of us.

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, the Abbot of Subiaco at that time, and the community, offered those who wished hospitality for a year so we could visit other monasteries and make our decision as to what monastery we would like to transfer.

While in the process of trying to decide where I would like to go, I began to look at Subiaco. There were fifty monks at that time. It was a rural community in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley. The monastery was surrounded by forests and pastures. They had several parishes staffed by the priest of the community and Subiaco Academy provided a great opportunity for those who wanted to teach. Coury House Retreat and Guest Facility offered opportunities for those who wanted to serve the monastery by providing retreats and hospitality to church groups, individuals, youth groups, and families of the academy students. Plus there was work with maintenance, grounds, gardens, and the vineyard.

The Office and Mass were at the heart of our daily activity. Time for personal and private prayer was worked into the daily schedule. So I spoke with my spiritual director and decided that I believed Subiaco was where God was directing me. I had the opportunity to serve God and the community in many different ways. Some I had never in my wildest imagination thought I would be doing. I was assigned to teach Religion for the Freshman and Sophomore classes. The Abbot appointed me Assistant Guest Master to Fr. Aaron, Director and Guestmaster of Coury House. And eventually as M.C., Oblate Director, and then to the Abbey Health Center. I saw how God opens new opportunities for us when we least expect it.

On the occasion of my twenty-fifth anniversary of monastic profession, I was asked how I felt after twenty-five years of monastic life. I stated: "God has been good. He has given me all I need, more than I expected, and a lot more than I deserve. I would like to hang around for another twenty-five years to see what else he has in store."

On August 6th, The Feast of Transfiguration of Our Lord, I quietly Celebrated my 39th Anniversary of Profession. Deo Gratias! So far, God has not disappointed me. I have no regrets. I have a wonderful community of brother monks here at Subiaco, and I know I am where GOD wants me to be!

Tell Us More About Yourself!

Favorite Book of the Bible?
Acts of the Apostles
Favorite verse/verses in the Bible? 
1 Peter 1:6-9
This passage of scripture is so very special to me and probably needs an explanation. I had just entered the Novitiate, seven months after the death of my father.  We were at Noon Prayer and I had just been informed that my brother, 5 years younger than I, at age 30, was at 95% renal failure, was in need of a kidney transplant, and also a triple coronary by-pass.  So I was praying, beseeching GOD to help me decide if I should remain at the monastery or leave monastic life to take care of my brother and mom.  The scripture reading for Noon Prayer was the following:
“There is time for rejoicing here. You may for a time have to suffer the distress of many trials.  That is so that your faith, which is more precious than fire tried gold, may by its genuineness be revealed for praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ appears.  Although you have never seen him, you love him; even though you do not see Him now, yet you believe in Him, and rejoice with an indescribable joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, your salvation.”
So GOD answered my prayer.  Right then!  In print!
Do you play a musical instrument? If so, which instrument?
I wish! But usually the Radio, record player, tape deck, and CD.
Favorite Day of the Liturgical Year?
Easter
Prefer to read a book or watch a movie?
A mystery novel by John Stanford, Clive Cussler, Kathy Reichs, Wilbur Smith, books on history, listen to music, or enjoy a couple of TV programs. I have not found any movies in theaters that interest me. 
Starting after high school graduation, what are the service/schools/colleges/universities that you have attended?
U. S. Navy Boot Camp and Hospital Corps School at Great Lakes, IL; Jacksonville Junior College
Right-handed or left-handed?
Right-handed
Favorite sport to watch?
Football
Favorite sport’s team?
Florida Gators
What time do you wake up in the morning?
4:30 AM
Favorite saint or saints?
St. Pope John Paul II (met him 5-24-97)
Favorite place you have travelled?
Israel and Italy
What are some of your hobbies?
Listening to music and reading history. Years ago I did a lot of photography and would use the slides to do meditation presentations for retreats. Also ceramics and horseback riding, as well as keeping in touch with friends over the internet.
What is the name of a book you have recently read or a movie you have recently watched?
Book:  A Jesus Pilgrimage by Fr. James Martin, S.J.
If you could meet any person dead or alive, who would it be?
I honestly do not know.
Do you prefer beer or wine?
Neither. But a Long Island Ice Tea, 7 & 7, or a Margarita sound good.
Who is the monk that inspired you the most—and why?
My Novice Master, Br. Paul Tennis, O.S.B. He was a down to earth, laid back, prayerful, wise, and understanding old sailor. He was an excellent artist in stained glass. He redid the stained glass windows in the upper nave of St. Leo Abbey Church. He was commissioned to design and install the square dome of St. Benedict's Church in Clear River, Florida, in mirrored glass, as well as many other churches in the Dioceses of St. Petersburg and Orlando.
What type of music do you usually listen to?
Oldies and Goldies (late 50's-70's), Southern Gospel Groups, and Classical (Beethoven, Schubert, Bach, Vivaldi, etc.)
What are your three favorite foods?
Southern Fried Chicken, BBQ Ribs with Fresh Corn on the Cob, Asian Food
What are your three favorite drinks?
Sweet Ice Tea, Coffee, and Diet Coke
If you could have just one dessert for your last meal, what would it be?
May I choose from a dessert buffet? Vanilla Ice Cream.
Why did you choose the name you were given in Religious Life?
My middle name is Melton. After High School I got the nick-name of "Me;". I later found out that there was a St. Mel who was a Bishop and nephew of St. Patrick. So, my Abbot -Fidelis Dunlap- let me keep the name when I made profession. 
What were the other names you requested to receive at profession?
Phillip or Edward
Who had the most influence on you growing up?
My parents