Novice John’s profession presents Brother August to the Mount Michael community.

          Nov. John answered the Abbot’s inquiry into his search at Mt. Michael by saying, “I seek the mercy of GOD and fellowship in this monastic community.” Sunday, 3 October 2004, was a day of joyous celebration for the greater Mt. Michael community as Novice John Schafer made his first monastic profession.
          Upon completing one year of novitiate with the monastic community, Nov. John professed that would remain loyal to the Rule of St. Benedict, the Constitution and Statutes of the Swiss-American Congregation of Benedictine monks, and to the Abbot of Mt. Michael Abbey.
          Novice John first professed three vows to the community of Mt. Michael, which are: 1) Stability – to remain in and with the community; 2) Fidelity – to the monastic way of life as defined by the Rule, Constitution, Customary of Mt. Michael, and as explained by the Abbot; and 3) Obedience – to the direction and guidance of the Abbot.
Secondly, Nov. John made the transition from the state of Novitiate to that of a Junior monk by choosing another name, emphasizing his growth and development in the Mt. Michael community. Brother August, as he is now known, chose this because of the name’s significant meaning and importance in his own family history, as well as his great respect and identification with Saint Augustine of Hippo, one of the Doctors of the Catholic Church.
          Bro. August was born and raised on a farm north of Sioux Falls, SD. He attended college at Mt. Marty in Yankton, SD; a Benedictine college run by the nuns of the Sacred Heart Monastery. After receiving his Bachelors degree in English, he moved to Kansas City, MO where he taught for two years at St. Thomas Moore Elementary School. He then moved to San Francisco, CA where he lived for 7 years, working as a Material Controller for an electronics manufacturer and managing the Accounts Payable office of an international adult education corporation. After moving back to South Dakota, Bro. August visited New Melleray Abbey in Peosta, IA, home to the Cistercian monks; Blue Cloud Abbey, a Benedictine Abbey in Marvin, SD; and finally Mt. Michael. Bro. August spent two weeks here at Mt. Michael in February of 2003 and returned to stay in May of 2003. He now teaches Church History to Mt. Michael sophomores.
          Finally, Bro. August’s profession was concluded by the “Kiss of Peace,” wherein he was officially welcomed with a loving embrace by all of the members of the Mt. Michael community. The profession ended with the celebration of the Eucharist, and was followed thereafter by a wonderful dinner catered by the monks.
Please be sure to welcome Bro. August as the newest official member of the Mt. Michael community.