“We had been discussing for some while, as I recall, the false attractions and ephemeral riches of this present life and comparing them with the joys of eternal glory. As a result, we were inflamed with divine love and we promised, determined and vowed to abandon the fleeting shadows of this world at the earliest opportunity, and lay hold of the eternal by taking the monastic habit.” (St Bruno)

There are several stages: the postulancy (3 to 12 months), the novitiate (2 years) and temporary profession (5 years), before a monk makes a final commitment by solemn vows. It takes time to grow to maturity, to arrive at the unshackled liberty to give oneself, to love as we are loved.
This comes about little by little, learning to listen to the Spirit, to let his light and love penetrate our hearts, and reconcile us with God, with ourselves and with our neighbours.

“Dead to sin and consecrated to God by baptism, the monk by religious profession is still more totally dedicated to the Father and set free from the world; he will be able henceforth to strive more directly towards perfect love. The firm and stable pact which binds him to the Lord makes him share in the mystery of the indissoluble union of Christ and the Church; before the world he bears witness to that new life won for us by Christ's Redemption.” (Statutes 10.1)
“By penance we take part in Christ's work of Redemption. He saved the human race, burdened and enslaved by sin, by his prayer to the Father, above all, and by his immolation. In striving to share in this deepest aspect of Redemption and despite our abstention from visible activity, we carry out an apostolate in an outstanding way.” (Statutes 34.4)

“I stand as a beggar before the mercy of God, praying that he will heal all the infirmities of my soul and fulfil all my desires with his bounty.” (St Bruno)