The Monks

Brother Alban Salinas

Brother Alban could be described as a bit of an all-American type, with a dash of Peruvian, with his wide-ranging interests in sports, games, and social activities. Yet at the same time, he has a deeply monastic side to him that loves to pray and read in his cell.

During his public moments, he can be found overseeing many Student Council events, coaching the ultimate Frisbee and tennis teams, bicycling, or getting his fix of foosball against the seniors, backgammon against the novices, or washers (a St. Louis specialty) against whoever will face him. In fact, if you name a game, he will play it. Indeed, he wanted to ensure that this introduction of him included an open challenge for anyone to try to beat him at washers. Such statements are a commonplace in this highly competitive brother's jolly banter with his brothers in the monastery or the high school. Brother Alban truly is an older brother and guide for many students in the school, a role for which he is perfectly suited after graduating from it and then returning a year later in 1999 as a young vocation. He has kept much of his youthful vigor by staying around the school, while adding to it the wisdom of several years already as a monk. He has participated in Monkamp ever since his 7th grade year, first as a monklet for three years and afterwards as a counselor. While he was in the school he was a server and from that has developed a great love for the ceremonies of the Church.

The private Brother Alban is a bit different, a bit more serious, and it hints at a deep and hidden passion for holiness. Every once in a while it shows forth in a comment revealing his study of the Latin text of the Rule of Saint Benedict or his several readings of the Imitation of Christ or some wise decision he makes. He studied classics and philosophy at St. Louis University at a reduced class load while a monk. He continues his interest in classics by reading the primary source histories of Greece and Rome, especially in their original languages. His original call was to the priesthood, but he found its full expression in the monastic life after a year at the seminary. Having completed his degree with cum laude distinction, he has started to teach theology in the junior school.

Br. Alban chose his patron and name while reading the account of St. Alban Roe by Fr. Timothy Horner in Ampleforth and Its Origins, deciding immediately that they were meant for each other. St. Alban fit perfectly being a monk of St. Laurence’s Abbey (having started out in a seminary), very competitive, devoted to his Catholicism and even cracking jokes on the way to his martyrdom. Br. Alban has since been entirely devoted to his patron, and St. Alban has no doubt been looking out for Br. Alban.