Brother Peter Damian Professes His Solemn Vows

Tuesday, January 1, 2013 - 1:00pm
Category: Monastery News

Brother Peter Damian Spera professed solemn vows on Jan. 1, 2013, the solemn feast of 'Mary the Mother of God', becoming a fully professed monk of this Cistercian/Trappist community at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. 

Brother Peter Damian's parents Joyce and Lou Spera and other family members, together with many of his friends, joined his monastic brothers for this joyous occasion. 

This blessed day is the culmination of a 20-year journey of discernment. His first exposure to the Cistercian order was a stint at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Mass. He also explored monastic life, visiting Cistercian monasteries in Vina, California, and Taiwan. He entered Conyers in the late 1990s, but left soon after making temporary vows. He returned after a conversion experience that facilitated a deeper yearning for the contemplative life of prayer. The community is blessed with this newly professed brother.

 Brother Peter Damian has served the community in various assignments including cooking and tending to those in the infirmary. His previous stint in retail management has garnered skills that have been useful in his present job in managing the monastery gift store. The gift store is part of the new visitors center complex at the monastery and boasts a wide selection of gift items. The expanded store allows for a greater variety of merchandise and Peter has been instrumental in the unique addition to the gift store of the Fair Trade section which carries items made by people in developing countries. Sale of the items supports the artisans and their families, as well as community projects like schools and health clinics. They offer great gift ideas for all occasions. Brother peter's smiling face welcomes the many visitors browsing through the store. 

Read news article on Br Peter's Profession