Ad Multos Annos!

On the Transitus of St. Benedict, the day Benedictines mark our founder's death and passage ("transitus") to heaven, it is common for monks and nuns to profess vows.  That custom continues at St. Mary's Abbey on a day that ranks liturgically as a solemnity, so all lenten disciplines are on hold for the day.

On March 22, 2021, Br. Finnbar Timothy McEvoy, pictured below with Novice Master Fr. Hilary O'Leary and Abbot Richard Cronin,  professed his triennial (temporary vows) before Abbot Richard, the monks of St. Mary's Abbey, several monks from Newark Abbey, family and friends, the Delbarton Senior Class of 2021, and a select group of faculty and staff.  Other Delbarton students and faculty members watched via livestream in classrooms. 

From a document drawn up by Br. Finnbar, he professed vows of obedience, stability and conversatio morum, as described in the Rule of Benedict, chapter 58.  He was clothed with the hood to complete the habit as worn by monks of the American Cassinese Congregation, and received a personal copy of the Rule of Benedict.

Br. Finnbar comes to St. Mary's Abbey from his hometown of Lafayette, NJ.  He attended High Point High School and matriculated to the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.  He pursued a Master's degree in education at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, and taught in Florida through Notre Dame's ACE program.  He was hired to teach at Delbarton School, where his vocation became clear: God had called him here for more than teaching Math and Science.

In March 2020, as the Covid pandemic began to confine all of us, Br. Finnbar was especially limited in his movements, as he was clothed as a novice.  March 22, 2021 is the culmination of Br Finnbar's initial stage of formation.  But this was no day of rest: He no sooner was able to rest after the festive day of his first profession, when he had to step into the classroom to resume teaching Physics. 

Also, junior monk Br. William McMillan, renewed his vows on Sunday, March 21. Br. William made his first profession three years ago, and renewed his vows in the presence of Abbot Richard, Fr. Hilary, and Prior Edward Seton. The monks of St. Mary's Abbey are grateful to God for sending us good vocations to the monastic life!