The Monks

Brother Linus Dolce

Br. Linus is a monk of intense concentration. This skill was likely developed over the years he spent acquiring a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, but it is now applied chiefly towards the monastic goal of union with God and its related goal of purity of heart. His focus and its end are first evident in his love for the quietude of his cell, where he spends most of his free time reading and praying. Yet it is just as evident in the way he approaches any number of activities, be they working out hard, working extra hours preparing for classes, or learning Latin by translating Aquinas. Another example that Br. Linus lives primarily in the world of thought is his very few possessions.

Yet as well-trained and given to concentration as Br. Linus is, he's also quite engaged in the community life of the abbey. The many "Linus stories" give ample evidence of this fact. Of first note is his sense of humor, as he takes well constant teasing about his great dislike of carrots and his peculiar daily lunch of only a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Even Fr. Prior gets into such teasing, when in true Fr. Prior form he notes that Br. Linus's purgatory will be to eat a mound of carrots. He also showed himself to be a wonderful actor in the "Linus who stole Christmas" video, playing the lead grinch role with great puckishness. Br. Linus is also a really good sport in taking frequently to the ultimate frisbee field with his brothers, when he is better disposed to other sports, such as rock climbing, running, bicycling, swimming, and hiking. In graduate school he was a die-hard cross-country runner with the Princeton Hash House Harriers. As for playfulness, Br. Linus likes to scare people and to be scared. Finally, a new-found Br. Linus characteristic was uncovered in the research for this introduction: Mrs. Igoe, a regular donator of confectional perfections, noted with amusement that he must really like his chocolate, because he writes very detailed thank you letters for such sweets.

Well, we tease the ones we love, and we can only hope that through putting up with us Br. Linus's purgative mountain of carrots will be offset by some chocolate and PBJs.