Saint John's Abbey is happy to announce that on September 11th two young men joined our monastic ranks: David Allen and Félix Martin Mencias.

David Allen is a native of Rosemount, Minnesota. He is the son of Tom and Shannon Allen, the brother of Patty and Megan, and the proud uncle of Lily, Tyson, and Grace. David graduated from Saint John’s University in 2009 with a BA in theology. Upon graduation he served a year in the Saint John's Benedictine Volunteer Corps in Chile. David was in the abbey formation program from 2011 until 2015 and returns now to continue his discernment with the community after four years in the health care ministry and managing a small business. We are happy to have him back at the abbey. He brings a good spirit and energy to our community. Welcome, David.

David Allen and Félix Martin Mencias

Félix Martin Mencias is a native of Veracruz, Mexico. He is the son of Arcadio and Carmen Mencias and the brother of Jorge, Clara, and Raul. After high school, Félix earned a degree in philosophy and taught in various schools, including the Ibero-American University in Mexico City. He also spent several years discerning with a Discalced Carmelite Community in Mexico before considering Benedictine monasticism. He brings with him an affable personality and an enthusiasm we will all appreciate. Welcome, Félix.
We welcome both of these men into our community and ask you to pray for them as they continue in their monastic formation. Please continue to pray for vocations to the monastic manner of life. These vocations allow us to continue our ministry and service in our schools and parishes.