Curiosity or a Call?

Is God calling you to consider embracing the monastic life; or, is he perhaps calling you to visit for some peace and time of reflection/retreat in a monastic setting?

There are many who are curious about monastic life, either stemming from media portrayals, word of mouth, or a chance discovery while exploring the history of/ministries within the Roman Catholic Church. Sharing in St. Benedict’s admonition to “welcome all as Christ” (RB 53:1), Subiaco is pleased you have found us and invites you to come to visit our Monastery and the natural beauty which surrounds it to discover the riches of monastic life. Over our 140+ years of presence in the Arkansas River Valley, we have welcomed guests from around the world, many of whom were among the curious. This curiosity does not necessarily mean one is called to become a monk. If you are wanting to ask questions, pray with us or just visit with us to learn more about our life, we are here for you. Our Guest House, Coury House, would be pleased to reserve you a room for a very affordable price during your stay. Click HERE for reservations.

A man who has thought about entering monastic life researched different monasteries/communities, and spoken with his pastor/spiritual director about it, would be one who would want to come for a vocation visit.

STEP ONE: The first step is to pray about it, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in your discernment. Then, meet with your Pastor or Spiritual Director and discuss the idea. It would be good to read through all the vocation materials and FAQs on our website to ensure you might fulfill the prerequisites to becoming a monk. 

STEP TWO: If you and your Pastor or Spiritual Director agree that a visit would be beneficial, then you need to contact Subiaco and speak with Br. Ambrose. You can then introduce yourself and express your interest in a visit. He will take some time to speak with you to ensure the visit would also be appropriate for our community. 

STEP THREE: You finalize a visit with us for a 2-3 day stay, typically on a weekend, but this can be done during the week as well. During this initial visit, you will be our guest. You will join us for the full life of prayer, and meals and even participate in some of our work. You will have ample time to reflect on and discern God’s path for you. The vocation team, along with the entire community, is on hand during your stay to visit with you and help you in your discernment. The initial visit is brief for your convenience and is designed to give you an introduction to monastic life and our life here at Subiaco. During this visit, Br. Ambrose will meet with you informally to discuss your vocation and discernment.

May God bless you in your discernment and we hope to hear from you.