You did not choose me, but I chose you.

– John 15:16

Welcome to the Inquiry process

We are pleased that you've inquired into our life
and look forward to sharing with you in this process.
We hope that this page will help you
in your journey of discernment.

Catch the Life: What to Expect Next

Each of us Brothers came to SSJE for different reasons, but we all share a common hunger to live a life devoted to God, a life of prayer and service, community and silence. Perhaps you've known this same hunger? We look forward to getting to know you, sharing our story, and hearing where you are on your journey of discernment.

We hope that this site will help you to listen for God's call and discern the next step along the way.

Check back here often for new content. We pray for you and all who are discerning a possible call to the monastic life. "Many are called but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

A Note of Welcome from the Vocations Brother

Congratulations, you are now officially an ‘inquirer’ into monastic life! You may now find yourself asking one of many questions, like: What does it mean to be an inquirer? What can I expect on this part of my journey of discernment? What have I just done?

At this stage in the process, feelings ranging from joy and excitement to apprehension and perhaps a little trepidation are actually quite normal. Most of us brothers experienced the full gamut of emotions on our own journeys as inquirers. What you have done is heard a prompting of the Spirit to consider one of many ways God calls people into a larger and more abundant life. You have given a nod to this prospect and, by means submitting the inquirer’s form, opened a channel of communication with the brothers. This communication will allow you to get to know us a little more personally and will hopefully encourage you to ask questions of us, as well as see what other men who are fellow inquirers are asking.

As you continue to explore the site, we hope that it will inform your curiosity and ultimately inspire you to think about scheduling a visit. While there is a lot to enjoy here on this site, it only scratches the surface of our life. We look forward to inviting men who experience a deepening attraction to this life to come visit and get a taste of it for themselves. When a man comes on an inquirer’s visit he joins the brothers for individual conversations, prayer, worship, and fellowship.

And what happens if you discover that this is not where God is calling you? Then that is totally fine! We recognize that not all who explore the monastic way are called to live this life. However, we trust that God will use the time and experience of discerning this call for good, and that it will be a stepping stone in the right direction. Our founder Richard Meux Benson said: "We cannot bound into the depths of God at one spring; if we could we should be shattered, not filled. God draws us on!"

So please enjoy the site and feel free to post comments and questions. If you would rather ask questions one on one, I will be happy to answer either by e-mail or even schedule another video chat. I'm praying for you in your discernment.

Br. Jack Crowley, SSJE
Deputy Superior and Vocations Brother

More Sights and Sounds of Our Life

Video: Monk

What does it mean to be a monk, and what draws men to this life? Brothers from SSJE share thoughts on the desire for God, the ebb and flow between community and solitary prayer, and the bumpy, wild ride of monastic life.

Video: Mission

Video: Vocation

Audio: Evensong

Audio: SSJE Rule of Life

Sermons on the Religious Life

A selection of sermons on the religious life, SSJE history, and vocation from the SSJE Brothers.

The Best Is Yet to Come – Br. James Koester

Wounded with Divine Love – Br. Geoffrey Tristram

For God Alone – Br. David Vryhof

A Vital Encounter with Our Inmost Selves

This life is one of constant transformation, and no text besides the Scriptures informs our ongoing conversion more than the SSJE Rule of Life. We asked members of our community to share a passage that particularly resonates for them. Click through the images below to sample some of the community's most beloved passages in the Rule.

“Faithfulness to tradition does not mean a mere perpetuation or copying of ways from the past but a creative recovery of the past as a source of inspiration and guidance in our faithfulness to God’s future...” (Ch. 3: Our Founders and the Grace of Tradition)

“In silence we honor the mystery present in the hearts of our brothers and sisters, strangers and enemies. ...in silence we learn to let go of the curiosity, presumption, and condemnation which pretends to penetrate the mystery of their hearts.” (Ch 27: Silence)

“Our diversity and our brokenness mean that tensions and friction are inevitably woven into the fabric of everyday life. They are not to be regarded as signs of failure. Christ uses them for our conversion...” (Ch 5: The Challenges of Life in Community)

“These hearts of ours are not empty vessels but inner worlds... It is the Spirit dwelling within us who brings the revelation of Scripture into a vital encounter with our inmost selves, and brings to birth new meaning and life.” (Ch 20: Holy Scripture)

“The gift of Silence we seek to cherish is chiefly the silence of adoring love for the mystery of God which words cannot express. In silence we pass through the bounds of language to lose ourselves in wonder.” (Ch 27: Silence)

“We welcome men and women of every race and culture, rejoicing in the breadth and diversity of human experience that they bring to us. ...If we are attentive, each guest will be a word and gift of God to us.” (Ch 34: Hospitality)

“The more we discover through prayer how completely the divine presence permeates our life, the greater will be the integrity of our ministry... Men and women come to us not merely to learn to pray, but to learn to pray their lives.” (Ch 22: “Prayer and Life”)

“People are hungry for good news that life is full of meaning in Union with God. As we take turns to preach in the liturgy we remember our primary calling to be witnesses and messengers of that good news.” (Ch 19: The Word of God in Preaching)

“Our mission is inseparable from our call to live in union with God... Christ breathes his Spirit into us to be the one source of our own conversion and of our witness and mission to others; ‘As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” (Ch 1: The Call of the Society)

You did not choose me, but I chose you.

Welcome to the Inquiry process

Catch the Life: What to Expect Next

A Note of Welcome from the Vocations Brother