Benedictine Volunteer Corps chooses 2022-23 cohort
The Benedictine Volunteer Corps selected 21 graduating SJU students to participate in their global volunteer service program next year. Students volunteer in countries like Tanzania, Guatemala and Puerto Rico and help communities in work, prayer and common life.
For many, the Benedictine Volunteer Corps (BVC) encompasses the essence of what it means to be an SJU graduate.
Every year the BVC sends a group of students all over the globe to assist other monasteries with work, prayer and daily life.
The BVC recently selected their 2022-23 chapter. In total, 21 students were selected. Since its inception the BVC has sent 280 students to monasteries all over the world. Those selected are hoping to grow throughout their time with the BVC.
“I hope to learn more about myself,” said Parker Zak, senior and member of the 2022-23 chapter. “I hope to disconnect from the world I live in now and learn more about what I want to do with my life and who I want to be.”
The BVC was founded by Br. Paul Richards in 2003 after he noticed a lack of students doing volunteer work and noted that monasteries around the world can always use help. Since then, the BVC has provided a new and rewarding experience for its members. Br. Paul was contacted for comments but is unable to respond, as he is currently in Guatemala with the BVC Cohort of 21-22.
Students who are selected often share similar values and reasons for taking on the challenge that working with the BVC offers.
“[The BVC] is looking for people who want something bigger than themselves people who are selfless caring and genuine,” said Joseph Meier, who is currently in the BVC and has been in Tanzania for the last three months.
The Benedictine lifestyle offers spiritual growth and a place to relax and disconnect from the busy and hectic world.
“A lot of people do not know exactly what is going to happen straight out of college, so for me I just wanted a year to unwind, help people and find myself,” Meier said.
BVC members often reiterated the points of personal growth and creating time to find themselves that the program offers.
“We are all pretty comfortable at this college,” said Joseph Strangler, a member of the 2022-23 chapter. “Experiencing some discomfort and something new is a great way to grow as a person, especially in faith too.”
Service is an essential aspect of the BVC.
“Being able to wake up and take action in my own life is cool. The service component will help me lead a fulfilling life,” Strangler said.
Each student’s experience with the BVC is different. They experience different parts of the world, different work and different impacts on their lives. Each assignment lasts for a year at a monastery in the worldwide Benedictine confederation.
The BVC mission statement reads:, “The BVC provides a unique encounter with the Catholic monastic tradition, the multitude of needs expressed in religious communities around the world and the challenge to commit one’s talents to meeting these needs.”
The BVC might seem like it asks a lot from its members, but they proclaim the profound impact the experiences it provided has had on their lives.
“Br. Paul always talks about how, with all of his recruits. 20 to 30 years later he will come back and ask them about their experience, and they all talk about how it was life-changing,” Strangler said.