Is God calling you to the monastic life? Are you discerning a religious vocation and wondering if you might be called to be a monk?

Bro. Austin Simon, O.S.B., who grew up in Acadiana’s Port Barre and initially set out to be a priest himself, instead found his home as a monk at Saint Joseph Abbey. Since professing his solemn vows on July 10, 2017, he’s had many roles within the Abbey, but he’s most excited about his new assignment as the monastery’s Vocation Director.

“I’m truly excited to have the opportunity to serve my community in this new role,” he said. “I was humbled and surprised at receiving the appointment. But I am also confident in knowing that I will continue to receive God’s grace and my confreres’ prayerful support as I walk with men discerning God’s call to life as a Benedictine monk at Saint Joseph Abbey.”

As Vocation Director, Bro. Austin will assist men in their journeys to discover God’s call in their lives and help them determine whether they may be called to life in this particular monastery with its particular rhythm of prayer and work.

“As the Lord calls all to holiness, I firmly believe he will continue to inspire men to live out their vocation as Benedictine monks of Saint Joseph Abbey,” he said.

As part of this assignment, Bro. Austin is also responsible for two seminarians, Zach Jolly and Ignacio Gamundi, who are scholastics for Saint Joseph Abbey.

“It doesn’t seem that long ago I was discerning my own vocation,” Bro. Austin said, adding he knew at an early age there was something special about religious life. “(When I was) in 11th grade I visited Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College on a Come & See retreat designed to introduce young men to seminary life. It was at this retreat I was first introduced to the monks of Saint Joseph Abbey. I eventually decided that diocesan priesthood wasn’t for me, but I knew I wanted to be a part of the monastic community.

“I entered the Seminary College as a Scholastic for the Abbey in 2013, and two-and-a-half years later, on Jan. 25, 2016, I entered the monastery. I believe the monastic vocation is truly a gift. We have the daily privilege to intensely and unrestrictedly live a life devoted to seeking the will of God.”

Bro. Austin has hit the ground running and is already organizing a series of Monastic Discernment Retreats similar to the Seminary’s Come and See weekends. The first of these retreats is scheduled for Dec. 16-20 and will be open to men ages 18-45. (More information will be available soon.)

“The advice I would give to someone discerning a vocation is to develop a relationship with Christ,” he said. “If we desire to know what He wills for us, it is important to know how to listen for the sound of His voice. In order to cultivate the ability to hear Christ’s promptings, one has to learn to hear His voice as He speaks through Sacred Scripture, through personal prayer, and through spiritual direction.

“Lastly,” he added, “the best advice I can give is to come and see, schedule a visit to stay a day or two to experience the life.”

Do you want to learn more? Call Bro. Austin at (985)867-2281 or email him at vocations@sjasc.edu.

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ABOUT BRO. AUSTIN: Bro. Austin previously served as secretary for Abbot Justin Brown, O.S.B. In addition to his assignment as Vocation Director, he also is manager of MonkSoap (since 2017), assistant Guestmaster (since 2017), and Intentionarius (since March 2023). When he was appointed Vocation Director by new Abbot Gregory Boquet, O.S.B., he was also appointed Sacristan of the Abbey Church.

In addition, Bro. Austin participates in the weekly rotation as mass server, vigils reader, table server, table reader, and Hebdomidarian (Leader at monastic offices).

He finds time for his hobbies, as well. He enjoys tending to his growing collection of tropical houseplants, which mostly includes Philodendrons and a wide variety of Epipremnum; attempting (and failing, he said) to master the art of wheel thrown pottery; and taking river hikes with his confreres.