Benedictine Oblate #2

[mylo]

It’s not a little white guide but my Monastery has a Martyrology - perhaps that may be closer to what you’re looking for?

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

It’s not a little white guide but my Monastery has a Martyrology - perhaps that may be closer to what you’re looking for?

That would work, I think.

Like the Guide, as I keep it with whichever volume of the LotH that I am currently using.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

BTW, as some of you know, I have been in pretty much continuous correspondence with 2 families of religious, particularly over the last 2-3 months. This weekend and the weekend after that will result in the culmination of all this back and forth correspondence. Both familes have been very patient and very kind. It’s been an interesting journey for me. Prayers appreciated. After these weekends, I won’t have to bug you about this anymore.

 

[mylo]

Prayers, Lou. I thought the Monastery had a link to buy the Martyrology online but I’m not finding it. You could email Fr. Hugh (he’s the Oblate Director) and ask him about it. IIRC when I bought it, it was $20 with shipping. His email is on this page: idahomonks.org/hugh.htm

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Prayers, Lou. I thought the Monastery had a link to buy the Martyrology online but I’m not finding it. You could email Fr. Hugh (he’s the Oblate Director) and ask him about it. IIRC when I bought it, it was $20 with shipping. His email is on this page: idahomonks.org/hugh.htm

Thank you!

 

[iloveangels]

… New branches of the Franciscan family are still Franciscan either way. They have all the rights of mendicant friars, but all of the obligations as well. They have a Rule, etc. which OD does not have.

This is interesting because the structures do differ between the 3 Franciscan Orders and the Franciscan Congregations etc. The commonality is that they have similar focus points, although they live them differently. They belong to the Franciscan Family but not to the same canonical structure. Congregations and societies are more focused on DOING; the Orders are much older and much more focused on BEING.

…The lukewarm are for the most part, good people. They live the faith, except the attending Mass/confession part. …

Not so sure, think there’s a lot of drifting going on and bad catechesis so people get involved unwittingly in things that are harmful to them. Parishes really need to be pro-active to keep things going on so that everyday Catholics have a reason to come down there on weeknights, and know more about how to live their faith on an everyday basis. That’s where the Church is losing them.

Remember, communities evolve as their members evolve. The Franciscan family has always been very orthodox. We have a reputation for obedience and orthodoxy. However, because of size, you can’t help picking up a dissenter or a problem child along the way. If you’re really lucky, you’ll pick up a loose cannon who can’t keep his mouth shut. There is not much you can do with them after they make final profession. They have to practically sign a pact with the devil himself for the fraternity to dismiss them. Even then, dismissal can only be done with the approval of the Vatican. It is the same for the Secular Franciscans as well, because they make a public profession and the Church accepts it as a binding commitment until death.

My point is that I’m glad that they are orthodox, but I have never given that too much consideration when I go to a fraternity of friars or secular Franciscans. I know that at any time a loose cannon can walk in. On the other hand, I don’t pay much attention when I have to live with a loose cannon either, because at some point he’ll be history. The first rule to be a good Franciscan: hang up your feelings, preferences and opinions at the door when you walk in and do as the Church tells you to do. It’s in the first paragraph of St. Francis Testament and in the admonitions as well. I just word it in modern English rather than elegant Italian as he did.

This was the hardest thing for me to learn, and I’m still working on part of it. What I joined was the Order for the laity founded by St. Francis, which still exists no matter what else happens. I am obedient but I don’t volunteer for the more aggressive modern activity schemes that deviate from the tradition of the Order. The nuttier stuff that happens doesn’t ever get very far, since it’s in its nature not to endure, as opposed to the original charism which does, and the Church which does.

Once you make final profession into an order, you cease to be part of the parish. You are incardinated into the order. The parish can be nutty, that’s not the Franciscan’s problem. We don’t involve ourselves in those things. Franciscans were not put on earth to save the Church. We were put here to: obey, pray, practice detachment, live in fraternity with all people and convert Catholics back to Christianity. The rest, is not our concern. Every religious family has its charism and mission. Our mission is very simple. It’s to live a live of penance among the poor. We help where we can and when we can those who want our help. Don’t worry about the parish unless the parish asks for your help. Look around you and focus on the poor and on converting the hearts of Catholics through your presence and your good example.

*From Bonaventure’s Life of St. Francis: *
"“One day when Francis went out to meditate in the fields he was passing by the church of San Damiano which was threatening to collapse because of extreme age. Inspired by the Spirit, he went inside to pray.

Kneeling before an image of the Crucified, he was filled with great fervor and consolation as he prayed. While his tear-filled eyes were gazing at the Lord’s cross, he heard with his bodily ears a voice coming from the cross, telling him three times: ‘Francis, go and repair my house which, as you see, is falling into ruin.’

Trembling with fear, Francis was amazed at the sound of this astonishing voice, since he was alone in the church; and as he received in his heart the power of the divine words, he fell into a state of ecstasy. Returning finally to his senses, he prepared to put his whole heart into obeying the command he had received. He began zealously to repair the church materially, although the principle intention of the words referred to that Church which Christ purchased with his own blood, as the Holy Spirit afterward made him realize…”"

The rest . . . I have no idea. God has a plan.

“Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart
and give me true faith,
certain hope and perfect charity,
sense and knowledge,
that I may carry out, Lord,
Your holy and true command.”

Yes, I know. I am told that it would only take some minor (no pun intended ) paperwork.

Haha
I will take your advice under consideration.
To be clear, I formally left the order…

Luigi, check the Constitutions. Formally leaving the order requires the paperwork and a deliberation in the Order farther on up the line; otherwise you’re just inactive. It’s a process to leave. You can’t just decide to stop going and call that leaving.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Luigi, check the Constitutions. Formally leaving the order requires the paperwork and a deliberation in the Order farther on up the line; otherwise you’re just inactive. It’s a process to leave. You can’t just decide to stop going and call that leaving.

Thanks

One meeting “out of the way”. Next meeting this Sunday. Again, prayers deeply appreciated.

I am beginning to think that, in the end, the meeting schedule that fits my ridiculously busy work schedule best (praise God that I have a job in this economy) may be the one that I am “forced” to choose. (Haven’t had a proper vacation in over 11 years. Again: not complaining).

 

[jwinch2]

vultus.stblogs.org/2013/01/our-oblates-one-year-later.html

One year ago today, on the the feast of Saints Maurus and Placid, I received three men and four women into the year of noviceship that has prepared them to become Oblates of our monastery. I also received two other men and one other woman in February. Investiture in the black Benedictine scapular and the imposition of a new name, placing the novice under the protection of a particular saint, marked the beginning of the noviceship. Following the lesson from Ecclesiasticus 2:1-21, I addressed them in these words, which I am happy to share again with the readers of Vultus Christi, one year later:

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

vultus.stblogs.org/2013/01/our-oblates-one-year-later.html

Scapular?

On my way to read your link.

EDIT: what a truly beautiful meditation. Thank you!

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I should know this, but

Are the Cistercians/Trappists considered part of the Benedictine family? I know, or think I know , that they follow the Rule of St. Benedict in a way that the Carthusians (for example) do not.

Do the Cistercians/Trappists allow non Catholics to be Oblates?

Thanks!

 

[jwinch2]

I should know this, but

Are the Cistercians/Trappists considered part of the Benedictine family? I know, or think I know , that they follow the Rule of St. Benedict in a way that the Carthusians (for example) do not.

Do the Cistercians/Trappists allow non Catholics to be Oblates?

Thanks!

Yes, they are part of the Benedictine Family. In fact, several Cistercians presented at the recent Conference of World Abbots in the OSB. They were a reform of the OSB, and the Trappists are a reform of the Cistercians. If you go to the OSB international website, they have links to the O. Cist. as well as the OCSO. My understanding is that the Cistercians, both of the Common Observance and the Strict Observance, are far more centrally organized than the OSB. They still have some autonomy at individual monasteries, but they do have a central structure in the form of an Abbot-General as well who has much more authority than you would find in the Abbot-Primate of the OSB.

I am unsure of the non-Catholic Oblate situation for the O. Cist. however and I am also not sure that the OCSO have Oblates at all, let alone non-Catholic ones. There are Lay Cistercians in some places, but what canonical status they have, or how they are organized is not something I have looked into. The O. Cist. sometimes have oblates, and sometimes do not from what I can tell. For example, the O. Cist. Monks at Our Lady of Dallas Monastery in Texas do not have Oblates while the O. Cist Nuns of Valley of Our Lady Monstery in Wisconsin do have Oblates. There are far less of the O. Cist. communites around then there are the OSCO. In fact, I think there are only a couple of O. Cist. monasteries in the USA, while there are a good many OCSO ones.

What’s nice in my view is that, because they are one family with slightly different traditions, those in the OSB can embrace the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux who started the O. Cist,. as well as Thomas Merton from the OCSO and the Cistercians of both branches can embrace Benedictines such as Anselm of Canterbury and all will find them pretty much complimentary. In addition, all of them can embrace the early Monastics such as St. John Cassian and the Desert Fathers. Within the Benedictine family, you find a spiritual tradition which is almost as old as the Church herself but which continues develop and find voice in contemporary times. Regarding the three branches, they really are complementary Traditions from everything I have seen and read.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Thanks Jason

 

[jwinch2]

Thanks Jason

No problem.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Taking Jason’s advice and ordering the Rule Commentary. I had better like it at the price

Do you guys know of any California monasteries that accept “semi-long distance” Oblates, just out of curiosity?

 

[jwinch2]

Taking Jason’s advice and ordering the Rule Commentary. I had better like it at the price

I’ll be floored if you don’t. Its a great book. Didn’t I scan you a sample last Fall sometime and send it to you so that you could see what the commentary was like? If you liked that, you will like the whole book.

This is the book we are referring to by the way, in case anyone is curious. amazon.com/Commentary-Benedictine-Oblates-Rule-Benedict/dp/1606082663/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361822588&sr=8-1&keywords=simon+rule+of+st+benedict+commentary+for+oblates

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I’ll be floored if you don’t. Its a great book. Didn’t I scan you a sample last Fall sometime and send it to you so that you could see what the commentary was like? If you liked that, you will like the whole book.

This is the book we are referring to by the way, in case anyone is curious. amazon.com/Commentary-Benedictine-Oblates-Rule-Benedict/dp/1606082663/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361822588&sr=8-1&keywords=simon+rule+of+st+benedict+commentary+for+oblates

I was pulling your leg, a bit.

 

[jwinch2]

I was pulling your leg, a bit.

Mad bad. I didn’t catch the smiley face. Oh well, perhaps the info will be helpful to others who might be reading the thread.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Taking Jason’s advice and ordering the Rule Commentary. I had better like it at the price

Do you guys know of any California monasteries that accept “semi-long distance” Oblates, just out of curiosity?

I don’t know what exactly you have in mind for “semi-long distance.” St. Andrew’s Abbey has Oblate meetings in Antelope Valley, Apple Valley, Bakersfield, Camarillo, Fontana, Los Angeles, Orange County, Pasadena, Riverside, San Diego, San Fernando, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, and at the monastery.

But I’m confused. Didn’t you make your oblation in San Luis Obispo? Or were you looking into it but didn’t actually end up there?

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I don’t know what exactly you have in mind for “semi-long distance.” St. Andrew’s Abbey has Oblate meetings in Antelope Valley, Apple Valley, Bakersfield, Camarillo, Fontana, Los Angeles, Orange County, Pasadena, Riverside, San Diego, San Fernando, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, and at the monastery.

But I’m confused. Didn’t you make your oblation in San Luis Obispo? Or were you looking into it but didn’t actually end up there?

I am just curious.

Please see PM.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Still looking for a Benedictine ring that isn’t a fortune. Anyone find one?