Brother Jacob Berns, 29 of Perham, will make final vows as a monk of St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minn., on the Feast of Saint Benedict, July 11, 2021 in the abbey church of St. John the Baptist at 10 a.m. Br. Jacob is the son of Ron and Trish Berns and the brother of Justin, Joe and Tanya.
Growing up, Jacob was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church. After graduating from Perham High School, he attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, graduating with a B.A. in music and theology in 2014. Following college studies, Br. Jacob was accepted by the Benedictine Volunteer Corps. He was stationed for a year at Sant’Anselmo Abbey in Rome, Italy, working primarily in hospitality and housekeeping.
Immediately following his work in Rome, Jacob applied for admission to St. John’s Abbey and made his first profession on July, 11, 2018. As a junior monk, Br. Jacob began graduate studies in the School of Theology at St. John’s University. He was granted his master’s degree in liturgical music in spring 2021.
In addition to being a monk of St. John’s abbey, Br. Jacob is also employed in the abbey business office and serves as one of the organists for abbey liturgies.
