Genesee Abbey has a new novice, Brother Placid Larkin. He comes from the rural New York farming village of Earlville and holds degrees in Agricultural Mechanics and in Music Education. He has extensive experience in farming, general maintenance and performed as a professional musician. In 2005 he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

He began a novitiate a few years ago, but after prayer and reflection he decided he should leave. After time and further reflection, he decided to reapply. St. Benedict says in his rule a candidate may be received back up to three times, so on January 7, 2019 he began a six month postulancy which was completed on July 6th.   The next day Br. Placid was clothed in the white habit of a novice. . .putting off the old man, putting on the new (cf  Ephesians 4:22-24).