Jairo Congote Begins Novitiate

(The following is the address to Novice Jairo at his entrance into the novitiate)
St. Benedict concludes the prologue to the Holy Rule with these words: "We shall persevere in fidelity to his teaching in the monastery until death so that through our patience we may be granted some part in Christ's own passion and thus in the end receive a share in his Kingdom. Amen."

These words of St. Benedict remind all of us that monastic life, like all Christian life is an entering into the paschal mystery of Jesus. Jesus dying and rising.

Jairo the Lord is calling you to participate in the suffering of Christ here in Mount Michael Abbey, so that you, with all your brothers here present might come to share in the glory of Christ's Kingdom.

Jairo to reach the glory of Christ's kingdom, you will have to endure trials. No one goes to the Father except through Jesus, who is the way to the Father. As you begin your days as a Novice, you have no idea what trials you may have to undergo. But one thing is clear, all your trials lead to continual dying. This we read in the letter to the Romans: "we are afflicted with death all day, we are judged as sheep for the slaughter." As was the case with Jesus so with each one of us, the sentence of death is inevitable.

In imitation of Jesus you are being called to enter into the experience of all trials, silently and patiently confident of passing over because of him who has loved you.

As each day passes keep the words of the apostle before you: "Eye has not seen, or ear heard what God has prepared for those who love him." - Abbot Theodore Wolff O.S.B.