This article appeared in St. Bernard Abbey’s website.
Br. Patrick Egan, O.S.B., made his profession of solemn vows on Monday, June 5,2006, before Abbot Cletus Meagher, O.S.B., and in the presence of the St. Bernard Abbey monastic community and their guests. The ceremony was celebrated at 4:00 pm in the Abbey Church and marked the beginning of the annual monastic retreat.
Fr. Thomas O’Connor, O.S.B., the Prior of the monastery, presented Br.Patrick to the Abbot and the community expressed their affirmation of his profession. In his homily, Abbot Cletus spoke of the vowed life and the rich monastic tradition that is the heritage of those who live the Benedictine vocation.
Following the ancient custom, Br. Patrick read his vows before the Abbot and then signed the document on the altar with Fr. Joel Martin and Fr. Marcus Voss as his official witnesses. After the singing of the prayer of profession, he was clothed in the monastic cuculla, a robe given to monks who have solemnly professed their final monastic vows.
Principal concelebrates for the Mass were monks observing jubilees in the monastery, Prior Thomas O’Connor, 50years a priest, and Fr. Edward Markley, 40 years a priest. The Master of Ceremonies was Br. Leo Borelli, assisted by Br. Brenda Seipel, Br.Michael Gregersen and Br.Peter Le. Fr. Joel Martin, Br.Bede Marcy and Br. David Bryant led the congregational singing. Dr. Betty Louise Lumby, Professor of Music and University Organist of the University of Montevallo, was the organist.
Br. Patrick is a native of Florence, AL, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Egan, Jr. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Alabama, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. For thirty years he had a variety of military assignments serving in the United States and overseas including a tour of duty in Operation Desert Storm. In 2001 he retired from the army with the rank of colonel.
In September 2001, Br. Patrick entered the formation program of St.Bernard Abbey. In the spring of2003, he made his profession of his first monastic vows. Later that same year, he enrolled at St. Vincent Archabbey to pursue studies required of candidates for the priesthood. He plans to complete these studies by the spring of 2008.
After the liturgical celebration, the congregation was invited to join Br. Patrick and the monastic community for a festive dinner in the St.Bernard Dining Hall.
