Special to The Message
In a brief Jan. 19 ceremony, Novice Joshua Brahm was clothed in the Benedictine habit at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He now begins a year of monastic formation, including study of the “Rule of St. Benedict” and monastic history.
Novice Joshua, 36, is a native of Ferdinand, Indiana, where he was a member of Christ the King Parish. He attended Forest Park High School in Ferdinand.
Before entering the monastery, he worked at Kimball Electronics for the past five years. He most recently served as utility, lower management/production support.
Novices take a year off from formal studies and trades. The novitiate is a time of prayer and learning intended to help a novice discern his vocation as a monk. At the end of this year, a novice may be permitted to profess temporary vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life, and stability in the community of St. Meinrad.