Br. Jacob Berns, 29 of Perham, Minnesota will make final vows as a monk of Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN on the Feast of Saint Benedict, July 11, 2021 in the abbey church of Saint John the Baptist at 10 am. Br. Jacob is the son of Ron and Trish Berns and the brother of Justin, Joe and Tanya.  Growing up Jacob was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church. After graduating from Perham High School, he attended Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN, graduating with a BA in Music and Theology in 2014. Following college studies Br. Jacob applied to and was accepted by the Benedictine Volunteer Corps which is sponsored by Saint John’s Abbey. He was stationed for a year at Sant’Anselmo Abbey in Rome, Italy, working primarily in hospitality and housekeeping. Immediately following his work in Rome Jacob applied for admission to Saint John’s Abbey and made his first profession on July, 11, 2018. As a junior monk Br. Jacob began graduate studies in the School of Theology at Saint John’s University. He was granted his master’s degree in Liturgical Music in the spring of 2021. 

In addition to being a monk of Saint John’s abbey with all its responsibilities, Br. Jacob is also employed in the abbey business office and serves as one of the organists for abbey liturgies.