On Being a Lay Cistercian

Receiving a medal from the monks after making my Lay Cistercian Life Promises, May 2012.

“Are you a monk?”

I get asked that question a lot, especially when I’m at the monastery where I work and pray and lead retreats. Perhaps it’s because of my greying hair and scruffy beard. Whatever the reason, I always see it as a compliment, but of course, I’m not a monk. So I say, “No, I’m not; I’m what is called a Lay Cistercian.”

“What’s that?” is the inevitable follow-up question.

“I’m a layperson, like a...