First Vows of Br. Felix Martin Mencias Babian, OSB and Br. David Michael Allen, OSB

Abbot John Klassen with the Benedictine community of Saint John’s Abbey accepted with great joy the first vows of Br. Felix Martin Mencias Babian, OSB and Br. David Michael Allen, OSB on September 14th, 2020.

Br. Felix is 40 years old and is from La Perla, Veracruz, Mexico. His undergraduate degree is in Philosophy and has 7 semesters of graduate studies in Theology and Philosophy and Social Sciences. He has worked as a preparatory school and undergraduate instructor. Br. Felix is presently studying in Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary and hopes to complete a master’s degree in either Monastic Studies, Sacred Scripture, Psychology or Philosophy and work as an instructor serving both the Saint John’s community as well as the local Latino Community. His hopes and dreams in the short term include, to live intensely the three years of formation as a junior monk and in the long term to be a happy monk of Saint John’s Abbey and to live his religious life fully.

Br. David is 33 years old and comes from Rosemount, MN. He graduated from Saint John’s University in 2009 with a BA in Theology and Environmental Studies. Following graduation, Br. David served in Santiago Chile as a Benedictine Volunteer Corps member. He was employed for three years by the Benedictine Health System in Duluth, MN as a Senior Spiritual Care Consultant. Presently, Br. David is studying for his Master’s in Divinity at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary which he hopes will be followed by ordination to the priesthood. Br. David’s hope is to live within a community which seeks Christ and cares for one another and the world with joy and love. He sees himself as a pastoral, creative, and generous leader. He is very happy to be a monk of Saint John’s Abbey.