At the ceremony, New Norcia’s three postulants - Brian Horlock, John McClean and Greg Scott - became novice monks and were presented with their habits.

Abbot John said in his homily that the three new monks had endured personal and practical difficulties with grace.

“All three of our postulants have been adequately tested during their time of knocking at the door of our community; all three have kept knocking; they have shown themselves to be patient, and have endured difficulties graciously.

“So, it is with confidence and great joy that we encourage them to take the next step of their monastic journey, to begin the novitiate.”

The three monks will remain as novitiates for a year before they take their simple vows.

During this time it is expected that they will be trained and tested in their commitment to the Rule of St Benedict.

The Benedictine community also announced Fr David Barry as prior and Abbot Bernard Rooney as dean of New Norcia.