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I met a young man at Kossa Plaza where the Kossa Dancers practice and perform. His name is Stephen Vincent and his plans and dreams for the future captured my attention when we talked.
Some fellows I have met wanted to be engineers, electricians, carpenters, teachers, doctors, veterinarians, nurses or any one of a score of other occupations or professions. None of those jobs interest Stephen. He is the first 25 year-old I have interviewed who aspires to be a monk.
When Stephen was a small child, his father was sent to Germany as a member of the United States Air Force. While living there, they visited a Benedictine monastery in a nearby town. He watched the robed monks come and go, stirring his curiosity about their occupations and their relationship with the Catholic Church. Between the ages of four or five (when they moved there) and 10 or 11 (when they left), he learned to speak German. That ability enabled him to help his mother by translating for her when she shopped for the family.
Before they left Germany, Stephen developed an interest in the old Roman ruins — especially the ones illustrating the history of the Christian church. In the city of Trier, there was a domed cathedral and the Abbey Church where the remains of St. Matthew were entombed. They visited an arena, partly underground, where Roman rulers executed Christians. A book he read about ancient Rome led to several other points of interest including the Black Gate, an old stone gate black with age. It impressed the young boy and inspired him to read more about Christian history.
That interest followed him when his father was transferred to England. He visited an ancient cathedral there and observed monks of the area. I assume while he was growing up in North Carolina after they returned to America, he sheltered his desire. I believe he took part in activities such as serving as an acolyte and helping the priests of his parish. That fed his desire to learn about vocations in the Catholic Church.
The move to Sulphur in 2003 gave his family the opportunity to observe the Kossa Dancers in a performance at Kossa Plaza. Ever since that time, Stephen, his brother Jacob and sister Ciara, have been a part of the group. Jacob has served faithfully as wardrobe chief, a very important position. Ciara has learned to perform the dances gracefully. Through my eyes, with her hair in braids, she appears to be a lovely Indian maiden.
After graduation from Sulphur High School, Stephen enrolled in a seminary in Covington near New Orleans which is run by the Order of St. Benedict. He felt that the Franciscan Order might be closer to his plan of service so he came home and plans to apply to the St. John the Baptist Friary in Ohio. If accepted, he will be sent to a Franciscan Seminary to complete his studies.
When I asked if not having a wife and children in your life would be a big sacrifice, Stephen answered that it definitely would be. He explained that when one dedicates his life to God’s work, many sacrifices must be offered but the joy of service is a stronger motivation. His answer fortifies my belief that if Stephen Vincent realizes his dream, he will be one of the most devoted monks in the history of the order. My prayer will be that God rewards his efforts with success.
Thanks for reading.
I met a young man at Kossa Plaza where the Kossa Dancers practice and perform. His name is Stephen Vincent and his plans and dreams for the future captured my attention when we talked.
Some fellows I have met wanted to be engineers, electricians, carpenters, teachers, doctors, veterinarians, nurses or any one of a score of other occupations or professions. None of those jobs interest Stephen. He is the first 25 year-old I have interviewed who aspires to be a monk.
When Stephen was a small child, his father was sent to Germany as a member of the United States Air Force. While living there, they visited a Benedictine monastery in a nearby town. He watched the robed monks come and go, stirring his curiosity about their occupations and their relationship with the Catholic Church. Between the ages of four or five (when they moved there) and 10 or 11 (when they left), he learned to speak German. That ability enabled him to help his mother by translating for her when she shopped for the family.
Before they left Germany, Stephen developed an interest in the old Roman ruins — especially the ones illustrating the history of the Christian church. In the city of Trier, there was a domed cathedral and the Abbey Church where the remains of St. Matthew were entombed. They visited an arena, partly underground, where Roman rulers executed Christians. A book he read about ancient Rome led to several other points of interest including the Black Gate, an old stone gate black with age. It impressed the young boy and inspired him to read more about Christian history.
That interest followed him when his father was transferred to England. He visited an ancient cathedral there and observed monks of the area. I assume while he was growing up in North Carolina after they returned to America, he sheltered his desire. I believe he took part in activities such as serving as an acolyte and helping the priests of his parish. That fed his desire to learn about vocations in the Catholic Church.
The move to Sulphur in 2003 gave his family the opportunity to observe the Kossa Dancers in a performance at Kossa Plaza. Ever since that time, Stephen, his brother Jacob and sister Ciara, have been a part of the group. Jacob has served faithfully as wardrobe chief, a very important position. Ciara has learned to perform the dances gracefully. Through my eyes, with her hair in braids, she appears to be a lovely Indian maiden.
After graduation from Sulphur High School, Stephen enrolled in a seminary in Covington near New Orleans which is run by the Order of St. Benedict. He felt that the Franciscan Order might be closer to his plan of service so he came home and plans to apply to the St. John the Baptist Friary in Ohio. If accepted, he will be sent to a Franciscan Seminary to complete his studies.
When I asked if not having a wife and children in your life would be a big sacrifice, Stephen answered that it definitely would be. He explained that when one dedicates his life to God’s work, many sacrifices must be offered but the joy of service is a stronger motivation. His answer fortifies my belief that if Stephen Vincent realizes his dream, he will be one of the most devoted monks in the history of the order. My prayer will be that God rewards his efforts with success.
Thanks for reading.
