Meet the
Worldwide Novices
September, 2022

Hello, Readers, feline and human! I'm Br. Ricky, Novice Master and Mewsletter Editor. Glad you're here. 

I just couldn't wait until the next Mewsletter to share this exciting news.

We have our first group of Worldwide Novices!


These felines are putting their best paw forward to join the Feline Cloister. 

Welcome New Novices!

Angelo, Emma “Puss”, Emily, Joey, Mia, Mr. Pippin Marmalade,
Shadow, and Xochi.
Who are the Worldwide Novices?
The Worldwide Novices hail from around the United States and from as far away as Sicily.

Assisted by their human, if needed of course, each feline completed an application found on the website, St. Benedict's Toolbox. 
Leonardo of Montepulciano, Italy, absorbed in completing his novice application.
Zoom Call With Br. Ricky, Novice Master
When an application arrives via the internet I arrange a Zoom call with the prospective novice. I learn about their joys and challenges, and a bit about the kind of feline each is . Most important for me is knowing why each wants to join the Feline Cloister.
Prospective novice Charlotte of Millburn, New Jersey, on a Zoom call with Br. Ricky
The Zoom Call is a teaching moment, too. I mew important practices from The Rule of St. Benedict that meet each novice's life situation.

Novices learn right away how helpful the Rule is to them as felines. Remember, the Rule is helpful for humans, too.
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What Does a Novice Promise?
Partnering with their human, Cloister Novices vow to...

  • Study The Rule of St. Benedict and its relevance for daily life
  • Live by the three Benedictine Vows
  • Be respectful of other felines and humans in their household
  • Get daily rest and exercise
  • Sign up and read the Mewsletter, the quarterly publication
from the Feline Cloister
Cloister Porter Sr. Nikki, OSB-F resting on her bed after the noon meal as prescribed by Benedict in the Rule (RB 48.5)

Novices also agree to support the mission of the Feline Cloister.


Through non-judgmental observation and the sharing of feline Benedictine wisdom, members of the Feline Cloister strive to teach humans about The Rule of St. Benedict and how this Rule can help them find peace and joy in daily life. Members also promise to follow The Rule of St. Benedict to the very best of their feline abilities.
Meet the Novices
You are invited to read my summary of the Zoom call with each new novice.  You may even discover a bit of yourself in one of these furry felines. You’ll also learn about some fine points of The Rule of St. Benedict.
Felines - You Too Can Become a Novice!
Help You and Your Human Learn More
About the Benedictine Way of Life
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Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my email. I hope that you will visit the Worldwide Novice page. You'll learn about each novice and important teachings in the Rule that can guide you, too.

To visit the page, put your paw here.

The Feline Cloister also has Resident Novices. To meet them click here.

Amma Jane and I will be working on the next issue of the Mewsletter. We plan a quarterly publication.