Milan Doleček

Friar Milan comes from Hlohovec in South Moravia, a village nestled in the heart of the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, where faith is a natural part of life. From childhood onward, he was surrounded by a spiritual atmosphere—his family, grandparents, and the entire community guided him toward a natural relationship with God. His grandfather also had a significant influence on his choice of high school—Milan trained to become a chef and waiter. He soon realized, however, that this did not fulfill him. From a very young age, he had been drawn to art and nature. He invented his own board games, painted, and taught himself about nature and the visual arts.

After high school, he enlisted in the military, where he experienced the harsh side of life for the first time—the tragic loss of a close friend. This event sparked deeper questions within him about the meaning of existence. Upon returning home, he knew he no longer wanted to pursue a career in cooking. He tried various jobs, but a dual desire—for art and for a spiritual life—grew ever stronger within him.

He therefore decided to fulfill his dream and enrolled at UMPRUM in Uherské Hradiště, majoring in sculpture. There he discovered not only the beauty of working with stone but also a community of like-minded people who were also seeking the spiritual dimension of life. It was also there that he first began to take the power of prayer and his inner voice more seriously. It was precisely that inner voice that often guided him in the right direction. After school, he told himself he’d had enough of studying, but it was then that God prepared the next step for him—an offer to work for a well-known sculptor. And his first commission? A statue of Christ. It was, in fact, a very profound inner experience.

The year he spent creating and searching at the same time led him further—all the way to Scotland, where he helped restore historic buildings in Edinburgh. It was a period that was both beautiful and challenging. His employers weren’t ideal, but prayer gave him strength. And it was during this time that he began to seriously consider religious life. He invited his fiancée to join him in Scotland, but it turned out that their paths were already diverging significantly. He sought answers and strength for this important decision—perhaps a pilgrimage to holy sites would help? Or perhaps a stay in a monastery?

Fate eventually led him to Vranov near Brno, where he already knew Father Pavel Havlát—his confessor. A brief stay with the Minims and a spiritual retreat then definitively showed him the way. He ended his engagement and set out on a journey that made him a friar. He entered the Order of Minims of St. Francis of Paola at the end of 2005. He spent his novitiate in Massa Lubrense, Italy, and took his perpetual vows in France—in the ancient city of Tours.

Today he lives and works once again in Vranov u Brna—a place that has become his spiritual home. He is part of the local Minim community, where he fulfills his religious vows through daily prayer, love, and service to others. His daily rhythm is determined primarily by communal liturgy, meditation, work in the monastery, and time devoted to individuals seeking encouragement, advice, or quiet acceptance.

Friar Milan also actively participates in the operation of the Spiritual Center—he helps organize programs, welcome guests, and provide them with spiritual guidance. He is known for his natural warmth, calm demeanor, and gentle sense of humor, which brings relief even to those who arrive in Vranov u Brna with a heavy heart. He also teaches religion, and in his interactions with young people, he finds not only a sense of purpose in service but also a sense of renewal and joy in sharing the faith.

In addition, he continues to create—in his small studio, he crafts wooden sculptures, paintings, and art objects that are not merely aesthetic expressions but also prayers embodied in matter. Each piece carries within it silence, inner focus, and the imprint of the artist’s faith. His work draws on tradition and nature; it is simple, powerful, and authentic—just like he is. Sometimes he creates for liturgical purposes, other times for the sheer joy of it, and often as a gift to those in need.

He perceives the spiritual center in Vranov u Brna as a place of blessing—not only for himself, but for everyone who visits. Surrounded by forests, silence, and history, this place speaks to people without unnecessary words. And it is precisely in this space—which is at once a monastery, a place of pilgrimage, and a spiritual retreat—that Milan has found not only his home but also his calling: to be here, to serve, to create, and to let himself be guided.

His life experience?
“To keep learning, examine my mistakes, forgive, ask for forgiveness, and listen to God. When a person opens themselves up to Him, miracles happen.”

And what message does he have for young people?
“Don’t be afraid to take the first step. Don’t be afraid to seek and ask questions. And above all—don’t be afraid to make a decision.”

Friar Milan’s life shows that the path to God need not be straightforward or free of questions. Sometimes it takes a long search, asking uncomfortable questions, and having the courage to listen—not only to others but also to the quiet voice within the heart. And it is precisely there, in the silence, that a person can discover the direction that will give their life a deeper meaning. The monastery in Vranov near Brno is a place where one can pause, reflect, pray, and catch one’s breath.
Come—not only to admire the beauty of the place, but also to listen in silence. And please—pray with us. For the priests, the friars, and for those who are still searching for their place in the world.