Vocations
Discerning a call to Olivetan Benedictine monastic life at Mother of the Redeemer Monastery in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana.
A Community of Prayer and Work
Men who sense a call to monastic life are welcomed into a community that follows the Olivetan Benedictine tradition. Life here is shaped by prayer, work, and shared life with the brothers, moving through stages of formation from postulancy to profession.
The community currently includes monks, novices, and a postulant. Br. Laurent and Br. Jude entered formation in recent years, and Brandon Leblanc has joined as a postulant.
Discerning a vocation to monastic life is a deeply personal journey that unfolds over time through prayer, reflection, and honest conversation. At Mother of the Redeemer Monastery, men who feel drawn to the Olivetan Benedictine way of life are invited to explore that stirring at their own pace, guided by the prior and the community. The rhythm of the monastery—marked by the Liturgy of the Hours, silent contemplation, and the steady work of daily living—offers a space where a call can be tested and clarified. Those considering this path are encouraged to spend time in prayer and to reach out for a conversation about what monastic life truly entails.
The stages of formation at the monastery follow the ancient Benedictine pattern, beginning with a period of postulancy during which a man lives among the brothers and begins to absorb the rhythms of the community. From there, he may be invited into the novitiate, where deeper study of the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Scriptures, and the monastic tradition takes place alongside continued participation in community life. Eventually, a novice may profess temporary vows, followed by solemn profession for those who discern a lifelong commitment. Each step is marked by careful discernment, communal prayer, and the gentle guidance of those who have walked this path before.
Life at the monastery is rooted in the Benedictine motto of prayer and work, a balance that gives shape to every day. The brothers gather for the Divine Office and the Eucharist, while also tending to the practical needs of the community through manual labor, hospitality, and service. This rhythm is not simply a schedule but a way of being that slowly transforms the heart, teaching patience, humility, and attentiveness to God’s presence in all things. For those who are called, this life offers a profound stability and a deep sense of belonging within a family of faith committed to seeking God together.
Stages of Formation
Postulancy
An initial period of living alongside the community. Brandon Leblanc has recently begun this stage as the monastery's postulant.
Novitiate
Br. Jude entered the novitiate, a time of deeper formation in prayer, Scripture, and the Rule of St. Benedict.
Profession
Br. Laurent made Simple Profession, committing himself further to the community's monastic way of life.
Living the Rule Together
Formation at Mother of the Redeemer unfolds within the daily rhythm of the monastic community—shared prayer, work, and the ordinary life of the brothers. Those discerning a vocation are drawn into this rhythm alongside monks such as Fr. James, Fr. Bernie Lebeidz, Br. Gregory, Br. Laurent, and Br. Jude.
The community remains connected to the wider Olivetan Congregation, whose Abbot General resides at Monte Oliveto Maggiore near Siena, Italy.