Mepkin Abbey welcomed Fr. Francis Dankoski as a postulant on Sept.15. Fr. Francis comes to us from the Diocese of Steubenville. Bishop Felipe Estevez is a good friend of Fr. Francis. After he retired as the bishop of St. Augustine in Florida, Bishop Estevez came to Iive at Mepkin for several months in order that he might have an extended time of prayer.

Fr. Francis’ visits evolved into several months with us as an observer. Having given himself an extended time for prayerful discernment, Fr. Francis initiated a formal request to enter and has now come and joined our community as a postulant.

Please join us in praying for Fr. Francis as he continues his journey of ongoing discernment and formation in the Cistercian charism.