October 30, 2004 was a momentous and joyous date for Mount Michael, as Bro. Robert Faulhaber professed solemn vows to God and the monastic community, before God, Abbot Theodore Wolf, his fellow monks, and family. Bro. Robert made his formal commitment for life to remain faithful to the monastic community of Mt. Michael and steadfast in his endeavors of monastic life in Elkhorn, NE.
     The ceremony of profession was performed during a special Saturday evening Eucharistic celebration. The homily of Abbot Theodore reflected a poignant Gospel story highlighting Bro. Robert’s call to the Lord. The Abbot began by making reference to the prologue of St. Benedict’s Rule, replacing the plural pronouns with singular pronouns to emphasize the gravity of God’s call to Bro. Robert, “What, dear [brother], is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to [you]?” Likewise, the Gospel reading spoke of Zacchaeus, a tax collector.
     Being short in statue, Zacchaeus scrambled up a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus passing on His way to Jerusalem. Although he was attempting not to be seen, Jesus called to Zacchaeus, bidding him to come down from the tree and to prepare his home, so that the Lord might stay there for the evening. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus feared greatly that Jesus, the rumored messiah, would begin the overthrow of the Roman government in Jerusalem, which would, in turn, lead to his demise as a friend and employee of the Romans in the face of the Israelites. Zacchaeus, as tax collector, was also known to line his own pockets with tax money, and therefore, he begged the forgiveness of Jesus and promised to restitute four-fold to those he had taken from.
     Abbot Theodore spoke strongly to Bro. Robert, reminding him that like Zacchaeus, he must always actively respond to the call of the Lord, drawing him deeper into the monastic life. And, just like Zacchaeus’ promise to compensate the misdeeds he had committed, Bro. Robert must always look towards conversion to amend the faults of his past, as he takes up his cross daily. And as an unconditional acceptance into the community, Bro. Robert was welcomed with the Kiss of Peace.
     For three years filled with many challenges, Bro. Robert has lived faithfully with the community of Mt. Michael. Beginning his monastic voyage at the Priory of St. Gabriel in Des Moines, IA, Bro. Robert’s journey has brought to Mt. Michael an eclectic personality with amazing artistic abilities, incredible Native American cultural perspectives, and the heart of a true fighter, as he was a three time amateur state title boxer awarded by the American Boxing Federation.
     Bro. Robert’s gifts and graces were embodied in the commitment made to Mt. Michael on this day, and both Bro. Robert and the community look forward to many years of monastic life together.