“The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether he shows eagerness for the work of God, for obedience and for trials. The novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God (Rule of Benedict 58:7-8).”
Novice Adam Burkhart becomes Brother Maximilian
If there’s anyone that shows eagerness for the work of God, it’s Novice Adam—now Bro. Maximilian—Burkhart. While I can’t vouch for how clearly he’s been told the hardships and difficulties that will lead him to God, it seems safe to say that it would take an awful lot to shake his resolve. In the two years I’ve known him, his energy and eagerness have made it very apparent that he enjoys monastic life. On the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, 2009, he got to further his vocation by professing simple vows—bringing him one step closer to full commitment as a Benedictine monk of Conception Abbey. No doubt the expression on his face was the consummation of the excitement and anticipation which brought him to that day.
Bro. Maximilian is the oldest of four children born to Bruce and Debbie Burkhart. A son of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and graduate of Bishop Miege High School, he had his first exposure to Conception Abbey after his dad ran into Conception’s own Father Regis (now deceased) at a doctor's office. That encounter led Bruce to bring his family up to visit Conception. Eventually, he suggested that Adam (now Bro. Maximilian) should attend one of the seminary's Encounter With God's Call vocation weekends. Upon doing so, Bro. Maximilian became more inclined to monastic life than the seminary and after graduating from high school and spending a year at Longview Community College, he joined Conception Abbey as a postulant. A year later, on August 14, 2008, he entered the novitiate and, of course, has now just made first vows.
Br. Maximilian’s profession took place the day after the feast of his new patron—St. Maximilian Kolbe. He will surely be a fitting model and example for the new brother. Just as his patron, Bro. Maximilian has a strong Marian devotion. When he was baptized, his parents took him over to the statue of Mary and prayed the consecration prayer to her out of the Mother’s Book of Prayers. Being consecrated to the blessed mother, Bro. Maximilian says she’s played a very big role in his life, “Without her, I don’t know where I’d be. She’s been with me in the good times and the bad times.” Not surprisingly, he views his Marian devotion as an important part of his spirituality. “Just as St. Maximilian Kolbe says, ‘We must win souls for the Immaculata so that she may bring them to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.’ Marian spirituality is how I’ve become wrapped in her mantle. You might say that Mary is my monastic mother.” In Abbot Gregory’s admonition, he urged the young monk to bring St. Maximilian’s “same spirit of brotherly love, generous service, and heartfelt prayer” to the community.
For a religious community, receiving a new member is a sign of joy and vitality and a vivid reminder of God’s grace and mercy working among them. The day was all the more joyous, then, because Bro. Maximilian’s profession was preceded by four postulants entering the novitiate the day before. With this steady stream of young vocations, Conception Abbey is a clear example that there is still a great need for monasticism in the Church and our modern world. We give thanks to God the Father for his many blessings and pray that he send his Holy Spirit to inspire other young people by the examples of these men who have given their lives to God.