By Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSB, St. Peter’s Abbey

Br. Denys (Robert) Janiga professed temporary vows July 10, 2021 at Sts. Peter and Paul Abbey Church at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster, SK. He has completed his novitiate year and is looking forward to further studies in theology at St. John’s Abbey this fall.

Janiga came to St. Peter’s Abbey from Brighton, ON, near Toronto. He was born in 1971, the youngest of four children, with one sister and two brothers. His father had a stroke in 2017 and died in December. His mother lives in Brighton, ON.

Janiga received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Trent University in 1997, a Master degree in Environmental Studies from York University in 2001, and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Ryerson University in 2008.

Two major foci to his work career are human relations and policy analysis. He worked for an Ontario union for about four years, mostly in dispute resolution. He also worked with the Ontario government to analyze social assistance policies. Before coming to the abbey in 2018, he worked as a Library clerk in Brighton.

He has experience working with vulnerable people. Janiga has used his training at the abbey caring especially for Fr. Paul Paproski, OSB, and Br. Pierre Rouillard, OSB, this year.

Br. Denys Janiga started his novitiate in 2018 with Edmundo Cruz. He then took off half a year to explore a vocation to the priesthood in northern Canada before returning to the abbey in 2020 to resume his training as a Benedictine monk.

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