9781422277621

On October 9, 1843, Johann was admitted as a novice to the Augustinian monastery of Saint Thomas in Brno. He took a new name: Gregor. The Monastery at Brno The monastery at Brno was the intellectual center of Moravia. The people spoke Czech, but most of the friars were German-speakers. Mendel had little knowledge of Czech but was “willing,” as Professor Franz wrote, “to devote himself to the mastery of the language during the years of theological study.” Most of the friars taught either at the University of Brno or at the high school. Visiting professors lodged at the monastery. The abbot of the monastery, Cyril Franz Napp (1782–1868), was professor of eastern languages at the university. Aurelius Thaler (1796–1843) spent many years at the monastery, while a botanist

The Augustinian monastery of Saint Thomas in Brno. Mendel was admitted as a friar to the Order of Saint Augustine in 1843. Members of the order took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

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