The process of discernment leading to monastic profession is fairly simple and straightforward (well, except for all the interior anguish and self-examination). After a number of years, including at least three in which the monk professes vows for a limited time, he may petition the abbot to make his life-time solemn profession. The abbot consults his counsel; takes it to the conventual chapter (all the solemnly professed monks with stability in the house); they vote to approve or not; and the monk moves toward a Mass in which he makes his vows for life.
September 9, 2011, was the date I would normally present my petition. However, our abbot was attending the General Chapter of abbots and abbesses in Assisi. So, I waited for him to return. When he returned in October, he was sick. He needed to visit our daughter house in Venezuela to prepare for an election in December. I presented my petition at the end of October.
More sickness. More travel. Lots of seasonal work for Christmas.
The abbot did not meet with his counsel until just after Christmas. They approved me to be presented to the conventual chapter.
So, Thursday evening, December 29, 2011, the conventual chapter met. The junior master presented me (I was not actually present -- this is a virtual presentation.) Each monk in turn responded with his impressions of me. I will not be told what anyone said. This is purely about the house discerning.
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 1, 2011, each member of the conventual chapter will secretly place either a white marble or a black marble into a closed container. It takes a simple majority to be approved for solemn profession.
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