September 5, 2025

New Benedictine novice welcomed at Saint Meinrad Archabbey

Novice Keegan Porter, O.S.B.In a brief ceremony on Aug. 5 at the entrance of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Keegan Porter was clothed as a Benedictine novice in the monastic community, beginning a year of formation including the study of The Rule of St. Benedict and monastic history.

Novice Keegan, 35, is a native of San Diego where he was a member of St. Thérèse of Carmel Parish.

In 2014, he earned a bachelor’s degree in social work at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Before joining the monastery, Novice Keegan worked in a variety of positions in the field of senior living and care home facilities.

As a novice, he will take a year off from formal studies and trades. The novitiate at Saint Meinrad is a time of prayer and learning intended to help the novice and the monastic community discern his possible vocation as a monk.

At the end of the novitiate year, a novice may be permitted to profess temporary vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life and stability in the community at Saint Meinrad. †

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