Brother Augustine makes first profession at Subiaco Abbey

Michael DeFoore, 32, took monastic vows Feb 2, can make perpetual vows in three years

Published: February 7, 2023

By Arkansas Catholic Staff

Courtesy Subiaco Abbey

Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, accepted Michael DeFoore's first profession and assigned him a new monastic name, Brother Augustine of Canterbury, Feb. 2 at Subiaco Abbey.

Courtesy Subiaco Abbey

Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, accepted Michael DeFoore's first profession and assigned him a new monastic name, Brother Augustine of Canterbury, Feb. 2 at Subiaco Abbey.

Michael DeFoore, a novice at Subiaco Abbey, took his first profession Feb. 2 before Subiaco Academy students, monks and visitors.

He presented a written and signed petition to Abbot Elijah Owens, OSB, who then accepted his public profession of monastic vows for three years. The abbot then assigned him a new monastic name, Brother Augustine of Canterbury. After three years, he will be eligible to make his final, perpetual vows.

DeFoore, 32, was born in Fort Smith and was raised in Van Buren. After graduating high school in 2009, he studied criminal justice and art at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith for several years, and then worked in private business. In addition, he ran his own business making props for television shows and movies and historical reproductions of medieval arms and armor.

He was raised in the Church of the Nazarene but felt called to the Church after a radical reversion experience. He was confirmed in the Church in 2018. At St. Michael Church in Van Buren, he was an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, RCIA team member, usher and visited the homebound and nursing homes.

“I had no interest in becoming a monk, but multiple people started asking me if I’d ever considered being a monk at Subiaco Abbey. I finally had to ask myself if maybe God was trying to tell me something. Looking back, I can see God’s hand leading me to this point in my life. I’m very glad to have found this community.”

He became a candidate Sept. 6, 2021, and was invested as a novice Feb. 1, 2022.

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