Monastic Life
In an audience with Pope Pius XI, he expressed his desires and asked prayers for his future vocation. In September, 1935, at the age of 23, John Richard joined the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Scourmont, near Chimay, Belgium. He received a new name, Francis, with St. Francis of Assisi as his chosen patron. After his novitiate formation, Francis made his first vows and was sent to the Gregorian University in Rome to obtain a degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He then did further theological studies at the University of Louvain in Belgium. He made solemn vows in 1940 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1941. Soon thereafter, he was appointed novice master at Scourmont. At this time, the abbot of Scourmont was planning to start a Cistercian monastery in India, which corresponded well with the wishes of Fr. Francis. Somewhat later, the abbot’s interests began to turn toward Africa. Nonetheless, Fr. Francis was given permission to undertake a foundation by himself in India.
Read more about this topic: Francis Acharya
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