Brother John Monzyk, C.P., joins his fellow Passionists every day in communal prayer at Sacred Heart Monastery in Louisville, Kentucky. Prayer also finds its way into many quiet moments throughout his day.
“I think prayer for me is what we do,” says Brother John. “We meet at 11:00 a.m. and have morning prayer and then we have Mass at 11:15 a.m. If Mass does not go for an hour, I stay and pray. In the afternoon, we have prayer at 4:45 p.m. Sometimes, after lunch, I like to get my cola and chocolate, and that is a time when I have some quiet time. For me, that is a refreshing time.”
Finding God in Science and Creation
Brother John spent much of his life immersed in science as both a student and a teacher, yet he has always found room for God. He sees God’s presence in the sunset outside the monastery and in the dog who accompanies the cook each day.
from the solar panels is transferred to the batteries, where it is stored until used.
“I am a scientist by training. I realize God is a part of everything,” Brother John explains. “There had to be a God to do this. At 75, I realize I am still here, and I am still a part of all this wonder and a part of this thing called life. And this might be the only place in this whole universe where life is happening, and that brings me wonderment.”
A Quiet Faith
Growing up, Brother John’s parents rarely spoke about religion or their Catholic faith, but their example left a lasting impression.
“Our religion ran quiet and deep. I remember being downtown in our hometown with my mother. Earlier that day, she lost her watch while making the beds and found it after saying a little prayer to St. Anthony,” shares Brother John. “She said, ‘Before we go home, I want to stop in church and say a little prayer of thank you to St. Anthony.’”
Prayer Changes the Person Who Prays
For Brother John, the power of prayer lies less in changing circumstances than in changing the heart.
“I often think of the power of prayer and what prayer has the power to change,” explains Brother John. “As a scientist, I wonder, ‘Does God move things that would not be moved by forces of nature? Am I looking for something outside of me to move or looking at something inside of me to move?’ I think it is the latter. Prayer makes us more appreciative.”
He recalls a time when he narrowly avoided hitting a deer while driving. After swerving, his car fishtailed but never crashed.
“It really spooked me,” he says. “Why did I not have a wreck? I had the sense that somebody there helped me out. God and my guardian angel got some thanks for that incident.”
A Spirit of Thanksgiving
While many people approach prayer as a time of asking, Brother John’s prayer life is centered on gratitude.
“The big thing about prayer is not always getting your way. My stance in prayer is basically thanksgiving.”
Br. John Monzyk, CP
“The big thing about prayer is not always getting your way. My stance in prayer is basically thanksgiving,” he explains. “The Eucharist means a lot to me. As a high school student, I decided to go to Mass daily, and I have been pretty good about that.”
The Passionist Brother’s Vocation
Brother John believes the prayer life of Passionist Brothers reflects the active ministries they embraced throughout their lives.
“The Brothers have been more active in their lives, so I think our prayer life tends to be more practical,” shares Brother John.
“Brother Ray (Sanchez) worked at Cook County Jail. He has had some real experience at leading people in their spiritual life. I have been a teacher of science and math, and my spiritual life with students has been a little different. Brother Kurt (Wernert) ran Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights, California.”
“I am a scientist by training. I realize God is a part of everything. There had to be a God to do this.”
Br. John Monzyk, CP
Always in God’s Presence
Whether his prayer is formal or informal, Brother John begins the same way.
“When I want to spend some quiet time, I begin by remembering I am in God’s presence. That was the call to quiet during student life. And I remember I am in God’s presence wherever I am.”
