Monastic Vocation - Mucknell Abbey
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Monastic Vocation

Aidan and Adrian
Br Aidan (left) with Br Adrian (right).

The Alongsider programme functions much in the same way as a postulancy would for those who feel a sense of calling to the monastic life. It would be the first in a series of traditional stages of discernment lasting several years. If after several months you wish to take your commitment further, and the Abbot and community agree you may have a calling, you can request to become a novice. This lasts anywhere between 20 months and 4 years. This might then be followed by Profession in Simple Vows, and after 3 years to Solemn Vows for life.

The first step is to contact the Abbot and arrange to visit and/or stay with the community, and to join us in our work and prayer. If that visit goes well a subsequent visit will normally be arranged. If after two or three visits you still feel the attraction and the Community agrees, you will be invited to identify a period when you can be free from work and other responsibilities to come and take up life as an Alongsider. Though the notional period may be from six months to a year, the commitment will be reviewed on both sides a month at a time.

Some basic requirements that we ask are:

1. You should be between 20 and 45 years old.

2. You should be in robust physical and mental health. The community must be assured you can respond to the demands of our life and contribute in practical ways to the running of the monastery.

3. Since life in the monastery pre-supposes an attitude of obedience, you must be able to life with good-will towards authority.

4. Life in the monastery is celibate and largely spent on site.

5. Those who go on to test a vocation to the monastic life need to be free from debt (this does not include Student Loans).

For further information, questions or to make an initial enquiry please write to us at: Mucknell Abbey, Mucknell Farm Lane, Stoulton, Worcestershire, WR7 4RB or email the Abbot at abbot@mucknellabbey.org.uk