 In 1963 he entered the Trappists at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, where he served in the guesthouse for 15 years, as well as teaching scripture, liturgy and patristics to the younger member of the abbey.He served as subprior, prior and dean of the junior professed monks, not yet in final vows.During this time, Meninger came across a work by an English hermit of the 14th century, called the "Cloud of Unknowing".