October Oblate Meeting

Sorry it has taken so long for me to get the October posting up.
The remained of this month finds me in the Holy Land so I wanted to get something online before I fly out today.
At the past meeting we discussed the Prologue to the Rule; the discussion went well. Many of the oblates brought some wonderful insights and questions. Some of the main discussions involved: obedience, fear of the Lord, and the role of Saint Benedict as father.

The November meeting will be at 4:00PM as usual in the Monastic Chapter Room and we will be looking at chapter 1 - the kinds of monks.  Please remember to bring at least one question and one insight for the meeting to aide discussion.  Also consider how each of the "kinds of monks" listed might be applied to life outside of the monastery and how they might even be applied to the individual at different stages of their spiritual life.

I have some updating to do here on the blog, but as I said I wanted to at least get the plan for our next meeting up here and let you know what happened at the beginning of October.

Items of note: Fr. Marcus and myself head for Holy Land & Turkey October 18-Nov 2; Br. Jacob was home this past weekend working with Br. Benedict for the "Come and See" weekend for prospective candidates - two very promising candidates this weekend; SBP celebrated parents weekend with parent conferences, poetry outloud, and dinner and a show in the Gym.

Look forward to seeing all of you in November.

Oblates of Saint Bernard Abbey

Today we had our monthly meeting of the Oblates of Saint Benedict.  There were about ten or so who were able to make it for the 4:00PM Conference.  One of the things I was asked to do is see if I could keep in more regular contact with the Oblates through this blog and maybe even a Facebook page.  Since this is already up and running ... I'll start here.

Firstly we welcomed a prospective candidate for the oblates, Mrs. Zelda Bigot, who lives just down the road here in Cullman.

We recapped last month's discussion on the role of the Abbot and how this applies to the Oblates of Saint Benedict who are not living in the monastic enclosure.  Our first conclusion concerned the role of a father or mother of the family.  The spiritual guidance of the family usually comes from the parents or even the grandparents.  This a wonderful opportunity to put what is said about the Abbot into practice.  The father or mother, must always remember what they are and what they are called, aware that more will be expected of one to whom more has been entrusted.  They must realize what a difficult and demanding burden they have undertaken: directing souls and serving a variety of temperaments, coaxing, reproving, and encouraging the4m as appropriate. (RB 2:30ff)  Yes, the words of Saint Benedict certainly apply to any head of the house.  Which lead us to our second conclusion.  Throughout the Rule of Saint Benedict, whenever there is mention of a superior (Abbot, Prior, Dean, Cellarer, etc.) the words of admonishment or the descriptions given for these individuals is nothing more than what is expected of any member of the monastic family.  Because of their position of authority they are simply reminded more emphatically to live up to the common standards of the house, recognizing that they have been set apart as an example.  Pride lurks in the wings, an ever present temptation and so Saint Benedict doesn't call them to something higher, rather he calls them to the common observance all the more diligently.

Following our discussion of last week's reflection, we moved on to new business.  We discussed ideas for the coming year.  The decision was made to do some common reading of the Rule.  "We are called to live by it, so maybe we should discuss it more closely this year."  After some discussion of how best to do this in the time provided we realized that there is no way to cover the whole Rule in a single year.  So in true Benedictine fashion we accepted that and will set out to do it anyway, taking as long as is necessary.  RB 1980 here we come!


The assignment for the next meeting (October 3, 2010) is this:
1. Read the Prologue of the Rule of Saint Benedict (in whichever translation you have).

2. For the next meeting, bring at least one question AND one insight*.

Insight = in your reading there will usually be something that peeks your interest, resonates with your life, or maybe brings an epiphany. That's the thing. For those who were at the meeting today .... it your version of the priest's "homilometer" ... your "lecti-ometer".

An finally a very brief synopsis of my reflection during the Holy Hour for Vocations:
Reading from RB Chapter 3 - Summoning the Brothers for Council.
Think Trinity ... in the beginning God created us in His image and likeness.  And in Genesis 2 He says, "It is not good for man to be alone."  God's inner life is a relationship of communion among the three persons.  When we are cooperating with Grace, we reflect that same divine communion in our families, our Church, our monastic community.  Is it any surprise that Saint Benedict would then call us to live in such a way that communion is at our core?  Seek the council of others, because when we try to act alone we get into trouble. Seek communion, even if there is disagreement, the work must be done together, in council, that the Holy Spirit might work in us.

Ok ... so now the challenge for the year.  Make sure I remember to keep updating this.  Even if it is just a short link to something great.  Thank you all for your prayers and patience.

Your servant in Christ, Fr. Bede, OSB

Post Script --- Br. Matthew Mattingly will be our retreat director (Sept 24-26).  Join us for this wonderful opportunity to rest and be renewed.  And don't forget Benefactor's Day on the 27th of September!