Vocation in the Order of the Holy Cross

Entrance into the Order is a gradual process that begins by contacting one of the vocation ministers listedbelow to begin a process of discernment to explore your vocation.

During this time of discernment visits to the OHC community nearest to you is encouraged so that you can begin to observe our life and develop relationships with the brethren stationed there.

When you and your vocation minister mutually agree that you are ready to move further in your vocational journey a two-week aspirant visit at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, New York is required. During those two weeks you will live in the enclosure at the Monastery participating in the life and work of the community. During this visit you would also have a standard series of psychological tests. Following that visit, if both you and the community think you should move forward, you would be invited to make a formal application for admission to our novitiate.

Upon admission to the novitiate as a postulant (your first six months) you are introduced to the Order's life and ministry. The purpose of the postulancy is for the candidate to demonstrate through his life and work in the community that he has a vocation to the monastic life as it is lived in OHC.

At the end of the first six months, if the postulant chooses to continue and the community consents, he is admitted as a novice and receives the monastic habit. The novice spends his first year praying, studying and working in the formation community. It is during this time that the basic foundation of the monastic life is laid.

In the second year of his novitiate, the novice may be stationed at any monastery of the Order, participating in the work and ministry of that house.

After completing the novitiate, the novice with the consent of the community makes his annual profession, renewing his vow each year until he feels ready to make a life commitment.

Perhaps God is inviting you - or someone you know - to explore more deeply the possibility of a monastic vocation. If so, write to one of our vocation directors for more information.