Brian Pearson Becomes Novice

O Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor for our sake, that we might be made rich through your poverty: Guide and sanctify, we pray, Brian Pearson, whom you call to follow you under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, that by his prayer and service he may enrich your Church, and by his life and worship may glorify your Name; for you reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

With these words, St. Philip’s sent parishioner Brian Pearson off to follow his calling as he entered the Episcopal monastic community of Society of St. John the Evangelist as a postulant in March 2012. Brian was part of the confirmation class of 2011 at St. Philip’s. He served as a Lay Liturgical Minister and as a SPY leader, and he was active in Bible Study and Adult Formation activities.

On September 2 of this year he was made a novice and was clothed in his habit. The novitiate is a one-year commitment taken twice (so two years before “initial profession” — which is a three-year commitment with vows). A man is free to leave after one year or two in the novitiate.

Brian describes the event: “The little ceremony was beautiful and surprisingly emotional for me. The monks all gather around, ask you to make a commitment for a year, then give you the robes. Then the tricky part of putting the robes on in front of everyone in the church, then hugs all round and a hymn. It feels quite natural to be wearing the robes in church, but I’m still a little hesitant wandering around town.”

Brian adds that he is enjoying his first fall in New England (Cambridge, Massachusetts), and looking forward to snow, “although that might change quickly after a day or two of clearing snow off the paths around the monastery.”

We continue our prayers for Brian during this time of discovery and growth for him.

Anyone who is interested in exploring a vocation in monastic or ordained ministry should begin by having a conversation with our Rector, the Rev. Canon John E. Kitagawa.