Vocations

Rev. Frater Jeffrey is a member of the Norbertine Community at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA. He is a newly ordained deacon on his way to becoming a Catholic priest. His vocation story and his personal journey are very different from what you might expect. Rev. Frater Jeffrey Himes grew up in Downingtown, Pa (Chester County).  Upon graduating from high school, he became involved in the music industry. Frater Jeff was a talented guitarist and played in a heavy metal band. His journey from heavy metal guitarist and music industry promoter to a newly ordained Catholic deacon with the Norbertines [...]

Today, we at Daylesford Abbey celebrating the Vocation of St. Norbert on his Feastday.  St. Norbert of Xanten, a priest who lived 900 years ago, was called to a life of peace, reconciliation and harmony.  He was an instrumental figure in the Church and his legacy is alive in the Norbertine Order (or the Order of Canons Regular of Premontre).  Daylesford Abbey is a Norbertine Community established over fifty years ago. Our priests and brothers continue the vision of St. Norbert by living a life in common prayer and in service to the Church. St. Norbert, also known as Norbert [...]

As Catholics around the world gather to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, we take a moment to reflect on the significance of this important event in the life of Jesus Christ and the significance for His Church. For the Norbertines at Daylesford Abbey, today’s feast has a special significance.  We at Daylesford Abbey, a Norbertine Community, have a unique perspective given connection between the Ascension, the Norbertine order, and the call to our Catholic vocation. The Feast of the Ascensions The Feast of the Ascension marks the moment when Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, ascended into heaven, completing His [...]

As a Catholic, you may have heard of Vocation Sunday, a day that is celebrated annually in the Church to raise awareness and encourage discernment of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Vocation Sunday typically falls on the fourth Sunday of Easter, which is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, when the Gospel reading focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The Norbertines, a Catholic religious order founded by St. Norbert of Xanten in the 12th century, have a rich history of promoting and fostering vocations to the priesthood. This order, also known as the Premonstratensians, has a special [...]

What exactly is a vocation? “The definition of the word vocation is “a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.” The word vocation originated in Middle English from Old French, or from Latin vocatio, from vocare ‘to call’. A call? From whom? By cell phone? From a friend, a parishioner a priest, a divine call from God? God often calls people to a religious vocation but sometimes we do not hear God’s voice or call. If we do hear an inkling of a religious vocation, our response might be “Who Me?” or “I am certainly not worthy.” Or [...]

Curious about a Roman Catholic religious vocation? A vocation is a divine call from God. God does not contact us directly by phone or email, but often in prayer, in reflection, in quiet discernment.There are a variety of means for us to begin to hear God’s call. Reading a spiritual book or a blog post, visiting a website of a spiritual organization, or even visiting a Facebook page.Yes, religious organizations today use Facebook, and even Twitter and Instagram to share the message about their organization, their members, and their work.There are also local means, in our parishes through the readings at Mass and [...]