Well, the only way ahead is to test whether the call really is from God or not. See 1 John 4:1

St Benedict implies that the idea is usually persistent, not an idea readily dismissed from your mind. When you share the idea with others and they try to dissuade you, it does not discourage you. Difficulties from your family and friends are there to test the strength of the idea of vocation!

Next, you need the courage to contact a monastery and ask to stay as a guest. The community will be assessing you as soon as they know you are seeking a possible entry but you need to assess them too. Ask yourself, 'Are these brothers going to guide me God, whom I seek?'

Do I see them living the life St Benedict wants his monks to live?

What sort of life is that?

Well, seeking God is the first criteria St Benedict establishes for someone wanting to be a monk. Not being a great preacher or teacher or singer or craftsman; these can be specialised in elsewhere, in a monastery, you seek God.

In the monastery, we are in choir together seven times a day plus Mass. You have to want to praise God from morning till night if the life is going to make you happy. 

This is St Benedict's second criteria, to be keen about what he calls 'the Work of God' - frequent, daily, worship of Him. Praising God, with the brethren, using all 150 psalms every week, plus singing for Mass.

The third criteria is obedience. St Benedict believes that obedience to the Abbot is just a very useful and fast way to become holy, because Jesus followed the same path. 'I came not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me'. The monk does the same, only to the Abbot.

The fourth criteria is being willing to do those humble chores around the house, to take one's turn cheerfully - cooking, cleaning, etc. It's basically being patient and loving in all circumstances. It's learning to put aside ego and self interest day by day and becoming humble.

Of course, you should also see them bearing charitably with each other's faults and failings, as St Benedict commands in Chapter 72, which is the jewel of his teaching. Worth reading often.

If you see them trying to do that, as best they can, in the monastery you visited, ask to speak to the Novice Master.

One last thing, read up on St Benedict and monastic spirituality, before you visit. There is masses of information online.

May God guide you to Himself.

Search our website, read carefully our vocations information and feel free to ask questions and arrange a visit soon, which is a good way of experiencing monastic life at arm's length and without obligation. You can book a room in our Monastic Guest House here.