"Don't be afraid to talk to vocation directors. They're discerning your fit, too, and if their particular order is not the right one for you, they will gently help you to see that."
BR. BENEDICT
PURNELL, OP
TAKE A MOMENT TO
MEET BR. BENEDICT!
What's your favorite prayer?
"Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!"
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
"Warning: Nerd In Disguise." I think that applies to many of the brothers :)
What's your favorite memory from your experience of formation?
The weekend of my simple vows, it was wonderful to have my family and some of the friars all eating breakfast together and getting to know each other. It helped my family to see that we friars don't have any secrets, that we truly love each other, and that families are absolutely invited into that love.
Has anyone ever thrown a surprise party for you? (that was an actual surprise) -- what was it like?
Yes, I was 4 or 5 and super sleepy. My dad carried me into the room in his arms and when I saw everyone, I showed no excitement because the need to sleep was too strong. I think I had been passionately asking for a surprise party for weeks, but it turned out to be a surprise anyway!
TIPS FROM BR. BENEDICT:
What's a tip you have for young men discerning priesthood/religious life?
Don't be afraid to talk to vocation directors. They're discerning your fit, too, and if their particular order is not the right one for you, they will gently help you to see that. Their job is to walk you through the process and answer your questions about their way of life. They are not trying to pull in as many men as they possibly can, regardless of fit.
Any words of encouragement?
God is for you as you discern! He is not trying to trick you; he deeply wants you to end up where you can love and be loved, too!
What's something you wish you knew earlier about discernment?
God does not speak through fear. That was a revelation when it finally sunk in, and helped me be truly open to a religious vocation. Before that, I was secretly hoping God wasn't calling me to priesthood or religious life, and thus avoiding the question out of fear.
What's something you wish you knew earlier about Dominican life?
It's a great blessing to pray in common! Far from feeling onerous or restrictive, common prayer is one of the things I most look forward to every day (like, 95% of the time, because I am still human).