Vocation story of Fr. Edward Seton Fittin, OSB, a Benedictine Monk

Like Samuel in the darkness of night, like Elijah on Mt. Horeb, I had no dramatic encounter with God in wind, earthquake or fire. Rather God calls in the sheer silence of life. “What are you doing here?” God asks over and over again. God calls your name over and over again. All we can do is respond: “Here I am! Speak, for your servant is listening.” My students and others I meet often ask “Why did you become a monk?” My reply is the same: “I don’t know; it was God’s idea!” Because it was God’s idea, He brings it to fruition. It wasn’t because of some event or series of events. God reveals Himself to us over time, gradually, often in silent and subtle ways.