September’s oblate formation class was titled “Upon This Tradition and Spirituality of Leadership.” The title sounded daunting; the course consisted of storytelling. Three sisters and the prioress shared the stories of:
Benedict and Scholastica
the two sisters and one oblate who came to America from Germany, and established a priory in Pennsylvania
how the work moved them to Minnesota, and the growth there
the founding of St. Paul’s Monastery
the effects of Vatican II
the sisters’ own personal stories of coming to and living as a Benedictine (these were the most memorable stories)
I suppose I am in a “funny” place right now in the oblate formation process, as I have completed my first class, Orientation to Oblate Formation, and yet we do not have our official enrollment until a ceremony in October. Continue reading Oblate Orientation→
These values are also articulated in The Oblate’s Prayer.
O God, help us to become people of prayer and peace. Though scattered far and wide, help us to be together in the spirit of your love. Give us hearts wide enough to embrace each other as well as those whose lives we touch. Enable us to listen and to learn from each other and those around us each day. May we be models in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities of wise stewardship, dignified human labor, sacred leisure, and reverence for all living things. Above all, O God, may our presence among others be a constant witness of justice, compassion, and hope to all. Amen.
R.B. – The Rule of S. Benedict
The Oblate’s Prayer – Adapted from the Alliance for International Monasticism Prayer by Sue Walkoviak, OblSB, St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN
Last week I completed my oblate intake interview. Sister Mary Lou interviewed me one on one, reviewing my application and asking follow up questions. I had the goal to be as complete and thoughtful as possible in writing my application, in part so I wouldn’t be tasked with writing a second draft. The sister appreciated my thoroughness. Continue reading Oblate Intake Interview→
Question 3: Who will accompany you? On whom will you rely to accompany you on this journey (besides the Oblate Director and Director of Initial Formation)? What outside resources will help you journey to final oblation?Continue reading Initial Oblate Application Part 3→
Question 2: How will you get there? This question asks further questions. How will you invest yourself in the Formation Program? How can you use the resources available in the community around you to assist in your formation? Will there be retreats, days of prayer, and spiritual direction available to you and will participate in some of them? What tools (such as keeping a log or journal) can you use to grow in a contemplative stance toward your life and work/ministry?Continue reading Initial Oblate Application Part 2→
Question 1: What are you looking for? These are the first words spoken by Jesus in the Johannine gospel addressed to the disciples who begin to follow him. This question is addressed to each candidate before beginning the year-long formation for Oblates. What are your hopes, goals and desires as you embark on this adventure? How do you hope to grow in Christian discipleship? Why does this seem to be the right time for you to consider becoming an Oblate?Continue reading Initial Oblate Application Part 1→
I have begun the initial application process of becoming an Oblate of St. Benedict. One of the questions I investigated before starting this process was how the Benedictine tradition aligned with my own Wesleyan-Methodist tradition. I found several important parallels and one major difference between the two traditions. Continue reading Benedictine and Wesleyan Traditions→
Thoughts on Personal and Corporate Spiritual Formation
September’s oblate formation class was titled “Upon This Tradition and Spirituality of Leadership.” The title sounded daunting; the course consisted of storytelling. Three sisters and the prioress shared the stories of:
