The New Benedictine Community- Profession of Vows (Simple and Solemn)

Once a year the New Benedictine Community gathers together for the profession and renewal of vows and acceptance of new companions and novices into the community.

The Presider is normally a member of the Leadership Team of the Community (Priors) 

but may be lead by any professed member of the Community.

Members of the community are asked to sit a few moments alone in silence.

If people are at home they are asked to light a candle in front of the community Icon of the Holy Trinity at this time.  If they are together a candle is lit for each member of the community present and absent.   (and those who have died)                  

                                             1. We begin the liturgy together

Presider: In the Name of God; Father, Son, and Holy ​Spirit. Amen.

The entire community prays this prayer together:

God, most holy and loving, strengthen me in my commitment to follow you in the way of St. Benedict.  Through my daily prayer and work may I be inspird to live in Christ and to bring his love to the world and his peace to all hearts.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(To all who will renew their vows or become Companions of the Community)

Presider:  Friends, what do you ask of God and this community?

All candidates: I ask for the mercy of God and the grace to serve God among you.

(Carol and David) From the Companion(s):  Dear Members of the New Benedictine Community, some time ago we became an inquierer into the New Benedictine Community.  After time of prayer and reflection we would like to be admitted  as  Companions into the life of this Community.

(Brian, Rebekah, and Helen) From the  Novice(s):  Dear Members of The New Benedictine Community, during the time of novitiate we have walked with you and shared your life in the celebration of the Work of God, by the study of the Rule of Saint Benedict, in service and in fellowship.

We would like to make my simple vows in order to join this community as a full members.

(Mike, Robert, Lynne) From those renewing their Simple Vows: Dear Members of the New Benedictine Community,  We have lived among you the last year, as a full members of this community and desire to renew these vows.

(SKIP)  From Those to be Solemnly Professed: And I have lived among you in simple vows for (three years) in order to become ready for Solemn Profession.

(Helen, Brian, Rebekah, Mike, Robert, Lynne, and Vincent)

From the Novice(s), and those renewing their simple vows, and those making Solemn Profession:  I humbly ask this community to accept my vows this day, that I may dedicate myself more completely to God and God’s Reign following Christ together with all of you.

The Community: We accept you. Thanks be to God.

The Presider: Let us pray…. Look down, O Lord, upon this​ community assembled in your Name, and grant ​that these chosen may be enabled to seek your will sincerely and to carry it out with perseverance, through Christ our Lord. Amen

                               2.   We welcome our Companions into the Community

To the Companions of the New Benedictine Community (David and Carol)
Presider: As a companion of the NBC you are invited to take a closer walk with us to follow Christ and walk in the way of Benedict.  You are asked to pray for our common life together, to join us when able in the prayer and work of our community, and to pray the strength for all of us to follow the lonely road to holiness.
Do you commit yourself in the upcoming year to join with us on that journey?
Companions: We will walk the path with the help of God and your prayers.
The Community: We rejoice with you as we walk the path of solitude together.

                                          (SKIP)   3. We receive Novices into our Community. 

To those to be recieved as Novices into the Community

 Presider: N., what do you ask of us?

Novice Candidate: To try my vocation with the New Benedictine Community.

Presider: Do you make this request of your own free will?

Novice Candidate: I do. (You are free to say anything else that you feel

is important at this time.)

Presider:  As a novice you are seriously discerning a call to membership in the community.  This is for a period of a year where you will work and pray together with a fellow member of the community who will be your guide and mentor.  As a Novice You are asked to pray for our common life together, to join us regularily in weekly prayer, monthly meetings, and in the work of our community, and to pray the strength for all of us to follow the lonely road to holiness.

Do you commit yourself in the upcoming year to join with us on that journey?

Novice: I will walk the path with the help of God and your prayers.

Presider: And do you, the members of the New Benedictine Community promise to do everything in your power to support N. in his/her discernment?

Community: We will.

Presider: N., you have chosen to walk with us and we gladly welcome you.

The Community: We rejoice with you as we walk the path of solitude together.

                                             4. We make  our vows or renew vows as full                                                                                     members of the community

Presider to those renewing or making  their vows for the first time after their Novitiate  (simple or life) to Brian, Helen, Rebekah, Lynne, Robert and Michael. 

As a full member(s) of the New Benedictine Community  you will continue to be a participant in the weekly prayers and offices, and a regular participant in the monthly meetings of this community and will be active in sharing your time, talent, and treasure as part of your spiritual practice to support this community, it’s mission, and it’s ministry in the church and in the world.    You are asked to pray for our common life together,  and to pray for the strength for all of us to follow the lonely road to holiness.

Do you commit yourself in the upcoming year to join with us on that journey?

(Brian,Helen, Rebekah,Lynne, Robert and Michael)

All Answer: I will walk the path with the help of God and your prayers.

The Community: We rejoice with you as we walk the path of solitude together.

Silence

                                                  5. We sign our Profession of Vows 

 (for Simple and Permanent Vows)

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I, _________, promise of stability in a life of prayer, fidelity to the monastic way of life, and obedience to the Will of God, according to the Rule of Saint Benedict in fellowship and solidarity with my sisters and brothers in the New Benedictine Community (for a period of one year or for life); I sign this before God and all the saints, and in the presence of, our the Leadership Team who act in the name of Prior for our community , and of all those present.

In witness thereof I have written this document with my own hand and signed it here at ____________ in _____, on this _____day of the month of _____, in the year of our Lord ____.

(If all memebers are gathered together, Candidates read and sign the vow letters on the altar. or send them into the leadership team)

                6.  Those who make their vows for the first time now pray the Suscipe

Suscipe (Solemnly Professing together with arms extended.)

(Brian, Rebekah,Helen) each one separately.  

The Newly professed say : “Accept me, O Lord, as you have promised and I shall live. Disappoint me not in my hope.”(Three times with arms extended.)

Community: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

7.  For those renewing simple vows and solemn vows in this Community

Vincent, Lynn, Mike, Robert

Together:   I,  Renew my profession and I promise stability in this community, conversion through a monastic way of life, and obedience according to the Rule of our holy father Benedict. Amen.

Presider: Lord, in your providence you have called these servants of yours to be perfect as the Gospel teaches. In your mercy grant that they may persevere to the end along the way of your love on which they have set out with such joy. Amen. 

8.  Acceptance of New Prior in the Prior Counsel

(All members together) 

Michael, May the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness, Teach you to pray as you ought to pray; strengthen you in purity of faith, in holiness of life, grace you with the gift of leadership in this community, in perfectness of love; and bind you ever more and more closely to the Father through the Son. Amen.

(the new Prior will receive the Prior’s Cross from the outgoing Prior)

 

   9.  In Closing: The Lord’s Prayer and Closing Prayer

Together: Our Father…..

Presider:  Rise up, O Lord, in your Church, the spirit where with our holy father Benedict the abbot was animated, that filled with the same spirit, we may learn to love what he loved and to practice what he taught.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.  

The  Blessing  and the Peace (Michael Ruk new member of the Prior Counsel)