February Super Post

I can't compete with the Super Bowl, but I thought that this posting was worthy of being called a SUPER POST.  Basically it has to cover everything from December - February.

So to recap:

We have been going chapter by chapter through the Rule of Saint Benedict.  It has been a good exercise for us all.  For me it has been an opportunity to discuss how the monks live out these chapters from the Rule and how we apply the teachings of St. Benedict to our situation.  For the Oblates it has been a chance to ask new questions about the monastery and to find new ways to apply the Rule to their state in life.

Back at our December meeting we covered Chapter 2 - The Qualities of the Abbot.  There were a number of good questions and points that came up during our discussion.  There was a rather lengthy discussion of how discipline works in the monastery and what role the Abbot plays in the discipline of the house.  There was also much discussion of how this chapter applies to someone who is not in the monastery and is not directly under the authority of the Abbot.

We discussed how Saint Benedict's discussion of the Abbot, also applies to the entire community.  In other words, everything we say about the character of the Abbot we can also say about the character of the monk.  And while the monk does not have the role of Father to the community, each does have the job of exercising appropriately the authority delegated to them in their area of work or responsibility.

So this also applies to the Oblate.  What is said about the character of the Abbot applies to us in our daily life.  In areas where we are given responsibility we must use that responsibility to build up the Body of Christ.  The prime example we discussed was within the Family.  This connection helped us to see the monastery as a Family in Christ.

In January we looked at Chapter 3: Summoning the Brothers for Counsel.  Here too we continued our discussion of the Benedictine community as a family in Christ.  We related the consultation with the brethren and family decision making.  We discussed the benefits of consultation with those who have a vested interest in the final decision and determined that by giving all a part in the decision (even if the ultimate decision rests with the superior) the community would be more ready/willing to accept the final decision.  The key was real discussion and not merely a token consultation before doing something pre-planned.

It was also noted that this consultation is actually an aid to the formation of new members of a family/community.  By being part of the process they learn how decisions are made and can better integrate themselves into the family.  New members learn that it is not a dictatorship but rather a collaboration and therefore a reflection of the divine reality of the Trinity - communion in action.

And now we are up-to-date with February.  This Sunday's meeting was on Chapter 4: The Tools for Good Works.

In our discussion there was a general consensus that this chapter was particularly helpful to us in living the Christian life and specifically the life of a Benedictine Oblate.  There was much discussion about how the Rule provides here a nice summary of the challenge of the Christian Vocation.  A life lived in imitation of Christ.

We certainly acknowledged the challenge of living up to this calling.  Which is why Saint Benedict follows this chapter with a very specific plan of action.  We also recognized that the Gospel and consequently Saint Benedict's Rule are a call to live in right (genuine) relationship with God and with one another - not to mention our inner selves.

The March meeting will be at 4:00PM as usual in the Monastic Chapter Room and we will be looking at Chapter 5 - On Obedience.  Please remember to bring at least one question and one insight for the meeting to aide discussion.


Also the March meeting with coincide with the Priestly Ordination of our Deacon Br. Jacob Amos.  Br. Jacob has been completing his studies at Saint Vincent Archabbey Seminary in Latrobe, PA.  Please join us for this celebration if you are able.  The ordination will be on Saturday (March 5th) at 11:00 AM and his Mass of Thanksgiving will be on Sunday (March 6th) at 11:30 AM in the Abbey Church.

This blog is going to take some discipline and practice.  Thank you for your encouragement.

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!