Monks Profess Solemn Vows At St. Meinrad

Three men professed solemn vows as Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in a ceremony on Aug. 15  in the Archabbey Church.

They include Benedictine Brother Peduru Fonseka, Benedictine Brother James Jensen  and Benedictine Brother William Sprauer. In professing solemn vows of obedience, fidelity to the monastic way of life and stability in the community at Saint Meinrad, they become full and permanent members of the Benedictine community.

Brother Peduru, 33, is a native of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka, and attended St. Joseph’s College in Colombo.

In 2008, he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He then worked as a structural engineer at Barter & Associates Inc. in Mobile, until joining the monastery in 2011. 

He is in his third year of studies toward ordination to the priesthood at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology and assists with the Benedictine Oblate program. He also gives retreats and guided tours at Saint Meinrad.

Brother James, 33, is a native of Iowa City, Iowa, where he was a member of St. Mary’s Parish and attended Regina Catholic Education Center.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa and a master’s in accounting science from Northern Illinois University. He passed the Certified Public Accountant exam and worked in corporate finance before coming to Saint Meinrad.

In 2015, he earned a Master of Arts in Catholic philosophical studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. He works as an administrative assistant for Saint Meinrad’s “One Bread, One Cup” program and works in the Development Office.

Brother William, 32, is from Piqua, Ohio, and attended Piqua High School. He became Catholic in 2008 and was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Centerville, Ohio.

He is a 2006 graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and has more than five years of professional software development experience. He earned a Master of Arts in Catholic philosophical studies from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in May. 

He works in the Office of Monastery Vocations, gives retreats and will begin studying theology at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.