Romuald Duchene has been all over the world. Logistics was his specialty in the military, and he continued in that vein when he took a job with the railroad in North Dakota. He had even been to Saint Vincent Archabbey, spending three years in discernment. He left to take some additional time to discern, and when he was invited to a classmate’s ordination near the abbey, he came back. A conversation with Archabbot Martin led to two more years in discernment before he professed solemn vows as a Benedictine monk in 2023. Now he’s a Roman Catholic priest, and in the summer of 2025 he departed for doctoral studies in Rome. When he returns he will teach at Saint Vincent Seminary, imparting his wisdom to future priests. Full circle.

For more information on vocations, visit the Archabbey Vocation website, or to arrange a visit fill out this form. The next “Come and See” weekend for men considering a call to monastic life and priesthood is May 23-25, 2025. There will be another “Come and See” July 9, 10 and 11.