Fr. Adrian Burke, OSB

Monk-Senior

Title: Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader
Professed Date: August 6, 1993

Education History:

• BS - Indiana University Kelly School of Business
• MA - Saint Meinrad School of Theology
• MDiv - Saint Meinrad Seminary
• STL - Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas

Prior Work/Life Experience:  After I graduated from IU in 1986, I worked for one year as a management trainee for Block's Department Stores in Indianapolis, then for three years as a Group Merchandise Manager for Montgomery Ward (Retail Division) before entering the seminary to study for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis (2 years). 

Other Interests: I enjoy being outdoors hiking, biking and camping. I enjoy reading and going to movies occasionally with a friend or two. My retreat work is the most life-giving work I do, and I also find fulfillment mentoring young people in their journey (I volunteer each summer at a Catholic service retreat at St. Robert Parish in Ada, MI).

What Attracted Me to Monastic Life: I felt drawn to simple living, in community, and the opportunity to develop a regimen of deep prayer and reflection. The essential elements of prayer, work, intellectual development and recreation are present in the monastic way of life as a rhythm of community prayer, private prayer/meditation, individual study/reading, and a meaningful work assignment, with some time for recreation and fun thrown in for good measure - I find it to be an ideal religious life style well suited to my personality and aspirations. Once I was exposed to this way of realizing my baptismal calling, I felt monastic life was what God was calling me to, rather than to parish priesthood.