Saint John's Hosts the Benedictine Junior Summer Institute
For the past 27 years, a yearly summer gathering of monks in temporary vows has been held at an American Benedictine monastery. This gathering has gone by several names but is now formally known as the Benedictine Junior Summer Institute (JSI).
Saint John’s Abbey had the distinct pleasure of hosting this summer’s JST. A total of 21 junior monks from thirteen monasteries, including three from Saint John’s, came together from July 15th through the 24th to enjoy meeting one another, studying, worshipping, singing, and relishing the perfect mid-70s weather of central Minnesota.
The junior monks prayed and dined with the monks of Saint John’s Abbey and were housed on the formation floor of the monastery. Every morning, they attended a seminar on such topics as synodality, Eucharist Revival and Benedictine life. Afternoon classes included Praying in a Modern Space and How a Pipe Organ Works. Bonfires, a Twins game, swimming, canoeing, and picnics were also enjoyed.
