It is fun to know that when a monk is ordained, he becomes part of this two-fold life within the Monastery where he lives as a monk first and is allowed to minister as a priest for the needs of the community.”

Dom Benedict Sagaya Valan Maria, O.S.B.

PORTSMOUTH — Originally from the Bay of Bengal region of India and trained as a software engineer, he discerned a call to religious life with the intention of returning to India as a missionary priest. 

That path took Dom Benedict Sagaya Valan Maria, O.S.B. to Portsmouth Abbey, however, where he first joined the Monastery as a long-term guest before entering as a postulant. 

And earlier this month, Benedict was ordained to the sacred priesthood in the Church of St. Gregory the Great on the Abbey campus.

His ordination was celebrated by Most Rev. Elias R. Lorenzo, O.S.B., auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, in the presence of the monks, students, faculty, staff and community members.

Benedict completed his novitiate at St. Louis Abbey in Missouri, where the larger monastic community offered a rich environment for formation. During his time there, he developed a deep interest in creating mosaics and rosaries.

Asked why he chose Portsmouth, Benedict said, “Strangely, God chose this for me. I simply said ‘yes.’”

Benedict became a permanent member of the Monastery when he made his solemn profession in November 2021. Benedict was ordained to the sacred order of deacons in May 2024 by Bishop Richard G. Henning, now Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston.

“I am still processing the beauty of it,” Benedict said of his ordination, which took place on May 2. “The whole weekend was overwhelmingly beautiful; I do not have words for it yet.” Several of Benedict’s family members traveled from India to celebrate on multiple occasions.

Monastic life at Portsmouth Abbey Monastery follows The Rule of St. Benedict, which emphasizes a balanced life of prayer, work and contemplation. In addition to five daily prayer gatherings beginning at 5:45 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m., the Monks celebrate daily and Sunday Holy Mass for the School community.

“It is fun to know that when a monk is ordained, he becomes part of this two-fold life within the Monastery where he lives as a monk first and is allowed to minister as a priest for the needs of the community,” Benedict explained.

As he is still in formation, Benedict’s daily work will consist of joining the community at daily prayer times, completing his studies, helping with chores and maintaining the Monastery’s website, in addition to teaching Theology and fine arts courses at the School.