What is the BVC?

The Benedictine Volunteer Corps of Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota exists to provide a year of volunteer service for graduates of Saint John’s University (Minnesota) at a monastery of the worldwide Benedictine confederation and to support the work, prayer, and life of Benedictine monasteries around the world. Grounded in Benedictine values and spirituality, 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 has sent over 315 men to 26 Benedictine monasteries around the world.

A message from abbot john

We believe that wherever there are Benedictine monasteries and whatever their work is - because this work is done in the context of prayer and community living – the work of God is being done. On this foundation and because of our desire to be of service to our brother monasteries around the world and to provide a rich service opportunity for the graduates of our university, we have established The Saint John’s Abbey Benedictine Volunteer Corps.

                                                Abbot John Klassen, OSB
The Monks of Saint John’s Abbey
Collegeville, Minnesota, USA