REGINA: What would you advise a young man who thinks he may have a vocation to your Benedictine Order?
DOM PHILIP ANDERSON: This can be a source of real anguish for a young man, but it is not so hard. The thing to do is first to visit a few communities (after maybe viewing websites and such). Following these visits, in prayer, it should be possible to determine if one would like to make a second visit to one of them.
REGINA: Why a second visit?
DOM PHILIP ANDERSON: During a second visit the young man will learn a great deal more about the community. Going home, he can then pray about the possibility of asking to enter the Novitiate or just make another visit.
REGINA: This takes some time, then.
DOM PHILIP ANDERSON: God does not usually reveal whether a person is called right away, but there is a very wise process of discernment that allow one to see, step by step, whether to pursue the vocation. In our community a young man has five years or more to discern whether to make final vows! So, pray and trust in God who is the One doing the calling.
More info on Clear Creek vocations HERE.
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