BELMONT — Former Merchant Marine Robert Raber is trading time on the seas for a life of exploring the wonders of God in a deep life of prayer. The 34-year-old Raber made his solemn profession July 11 at Mary Help of Christians Basilica, taking the name Brother James and vowing to spend the rest of his life as a Benedictine monk at Belmont Abbey.
Brother James grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and Orlando, Fla. He attended Maine Maritime Academy, then moved to Charleston, S.C., where he worked as a ship’s navigator.
“After a bit of soul searching, I got involved in a young Catholic group and they set me straight,” Brother James jokes. “I learned the great joy of other people who love God.”
Brother James hiked the “Camino de Santiago,” the famous pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. The experience helped him discern his entrance into religious life.
“That is why I have the name James,” he explains. “From there I heard the answer (from the Lord) to come follow Him. I had no idea what that looked like. I knew I didn’t know my faith well. I looked for a Catholic college, and Belmont Abbey College is the closest Catholic college to Charleston.”
Brother James thought Belmont Abbey College could help him learn more about his Catholic faith. As he browsed through the college’s website for information, he noticed that there was a Benedictine monastery attached to the college.
“I ended up calling the abbot instead of the admissions counselor,” he says. “I talked to Abbot Placid (Solari) for over an hour on the phone. I had learned a little about St. Benedict and the Rule before calling, and one of the things that really struck me was hospitality.”
Brother James remembers ending that phone call telling Abbot Placid, “I have read elsewhere that each person is to be treated as the person of Christ who presents Himself as the guest. I have never had anyone do that for me, and you have managed to do that, even over the phone. And if your monks are anything like you, I would like to discern with you.”
However, at that time he was in Los Angeles, Ca. getting ready to set sail on the Pacific Ocean as he was serving with the U.S. Merchant Marine. After he returned from his assignment he made his first visit to Belmont Abbey, spending two weeks there.
That initial phone call and his first visit were the seeds that have grown into a desire to serve God by living a life of prayer at Belmont Abbey – brought to fruition as he made his solemn monastic profession on July 11, the feast of St. Benedict.
In the rite of profession during the standing-room-only Mass at Mary Help of Christians Basilica, Brother James was called to come before Abbot Placid, the monks of Belmont Abbey and the clergy, religious and laity. After indicating his desire to live in the monastic community, Brother James was accepted by his brother monks.
Afterwards, Abbot Placid delivered his homily, speaking directly to Brother James, his spiritual son.
Abbot Placid quoted part of Psalm 107:23-31, read in the liturgy at Mass, remarking upon how it aptly described Brother James’ life as a Merchant Marine and his call to religious life.
“You did find here the haven you desired,” Abbot Placid told him. “We, your brothers, in our office of discernment have recognized in you what we judged to be an authentic action of the Holy Spirit and have brought you to this day. May it then be your love for Jesus which will allow Him to fulfill in you that which He Himself has commanded.
“So, Brother James, you have indeed found the haven that you desired. It is time to make it your firm and lasting anchorage. I invite you to come, obedient to the Lord’s invitation, and profess the vow solemnly binding your commitment to monastic life in our community so that you may continue until death in your pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling in Christ Jesus.”
Brother James then prostrated himself on the stone floor of the basilica as everyone else knelt and chanted the Litany of the Saints.
When he arose, he pledged his obedience to the Benedictine order and to his abbot, promising to live his life faithful to the Rule of St. Benedict and the teachings of the Church.
After Mass, Brother James greeted guests in front of the abbey basilica, receiving hugs and congratulations from those who had gathered to witness his solemn profession.
“I knew, with the name of the abbey being Mary Help of Christians, that is what helped set my heart here in North Carolina, because of my strong love and devotion for Mary, especially through the rosary,” he says.
“I know the help she has given me,” he adds, “so I think that the best way I can honor her was to discern life at a monastery dedicated to her helping us.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
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