Notes to Oblates of Mount Angel Abbey

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
December 13, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The O Antiphons, Part I

Last week, I spoke about the Advent cry “Come, Lord Jesus,” that resounds fiercely in our hearts during this Advent season, and indeed, throughout the year. The O antiphons of these last days of the Advent season (December 17-23) echo this cry in a slightly different timbre. These are sung during Vespers before the Magnificat and each antiphon gives us an image of an Old Testament reference to Christ. Before each title is the expression “O”. It is a cry, a longing of the heart for a deep desire to be fulfilled. After each title of Christ is the desperate cry “come”. The verses in the popular Advent hymn, “O come, O come Emmanuel” allude to these 7 images. I will touch upon a few of them here.

December 17. O Wisdom of God, Come. The prophet Isaiah tells us that the spirit of wisdom will rest upon the Messiah. Like Solomon, who in his wisdom, governed all things well, we pray that our Lord would come and guide “creation with power and love”. We read that God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Is 55:8-9), so we ask for the Lord to come “and teach us the path of knowledge”. How necessary is this wisdom of God in our own age, where people are led by lies and half truths, and up end up in the darkness of error. Come Lord with your saving truth.

December 19. O Root of Jesse, Come. This phrase alludes to the book of Isaiah that reads, “a shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse” (11: 1). If we have ever seen a tree stump before, we know how dead and lifeless it can be, but from this very stump, God will raise up a savior for us. The Davidic line was indeed a stump, with no one on the throne, but through Christ’s coming as a little baby, a shoot begins to sprout. How lovely is this image! How much hope this can give us! There is no hopeless situation, not even in a death. Therefore, no matter the barrenness of our circumstances, let us know that when Christ comes, he will bring new life.

December 20. O Key of David, Come. In the Book of Revelation we read, “these are the words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.” (Revelation 3:7). Christ, as the key of David, opens the gates of the Kingdom, and sets “free the prisoners of darkness”. Because we have sinned, we are slaves of the devil. The devil keeps us in prison, but by Christ’s coming He opens the prison doors. Of our own accord we are helpless to set ourselves free, so we cry, “O Key of David, Come.”

On Sunday, we will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of monastic profession for Abbot Jeremy, Father Nathan and Brother Claude. Please considering offering some prayers for their spiritual bouquet. For example, you can pray the rosary, do a holy hour, pray one of the hours of the divine office or offer some other prayer for them. Please let me know if you can do this and what prayer you can offer by tomorrow night.

Also, please consider filling out an oblate survey for Fr. Ryan Jones, a doctoral student at Nashota House Theological Seminary. It will take about 10 minutes. Thank you ahead of time.

You can now view my Oblate Sunday talk on The Thoughts of Gluttony and Lust online. If you are too busy to view the video, you can also access the notes.

Prayer request. Please pray for our Jubilarians. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Happy Feast of St. Lucy! I heard from a visiting priest from Northern Italy that she is their Santa Claus and gives gifts to children today.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration.

Please pray for Br. Matthew who was instituted as acolyte this week.

Oblate Calendar

December
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada.

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
December 6, 2024

Dear Oblates,

An Advent People

Saint Augustine famously coined the term, “we are an Easter people and alleluia is our song.” Although I am not arguing with this declaration, I think we can also say, “we are an Advent people and maranatha [Come, Lord Jesus] with our song.” I think this because, unfortunately, in many areas of our life, we do not experience the glory and new life wrought by our Lord’s resurrection. Indeed, we seem to be waiting for the Lord to act decisively in our life and bring about a change. We can sympathize with the Israelites, who thousands of years ago, longed for the coming of the Messiah and longed for a savior. They knew what it was like to walk in darkness and be in bondage, and their cry was, “Come, O Lord.” We too experience, at least in some areas of our life, that darkness and that bondage. We also know that our efforts will fall/have fallen short of bringing about a remedy. As a result, we cry out maranatha, “Come Lord Jesus”.

Come, Lord Jesus into this area of sin in which I am trapped and can find no way out. Come, Lord Jesus into this relationship that is beset with anger, bitterness and resentment. Come, Lord Jesus into this impossible situation in my workplace or my family. Come, Lord Jesus and alleviate at least a fathom of this unbearable cross. The cry for help can go on and on. I believe that each one of us has one or several areas of our life where we need a profound advent of the Lord. Consequently, we pray and wait and wait and wait. Yes, indeed, we are truly an Advent people and maranatha is our song. May we wait patiently and with hope.

It is not too late to start an Advent lectio calendar. For each day, simply do your lectio divina and write down a word or phrase that strikes you. In this way, you can listen with the ear of our heart to what God is saying to you during this Advent. Here is a copy of my personal lectio calendar.

I am hoping to start a group consisting of oblate spiritual directors. If you are a spiritual director and are interested in being a part of this support/discussion group, please let me know.

Prayer request. Please pray for our seminarians who are taking finals today and next week. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Fr. Jeff decorating the tree in Annunciation.

Cold morning overlooking the valley.

Oblate Calendar

December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada.

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
November 30, 2024

Dear Oblates,

Advent Saints, Week 1

Tomorrow we begin a new liturgical year with the season of Advent. As Benedictines, the liturgical year ought to be nourishment for our spiritual life and a source of deepening our walk with Christ. The Christological mystery that we celebrate during the Advent season has a twofold character. During this season, we are preparing both for Christ’s coming in the flesh (Incarnation) and for his second coming in glory (Parousia). The season is marked by a quasi-penitential character and expectant delight.

A way for us to enter more fully into this season of Advent is to journey with the saints, whose feast day resides during this season. As I say, it is nearly impossible to keep an Advent spirit because our culture starts to celebrate Christmas right after Thanksgiving. However, let us do the little we can to keep the season of Advent focused on Christ’s twofold coming. The following paragraphs are reflections on how the saints during this week can help us make the season of Advent more substantial.

December 3 – Saint Francis Xavier. He was born in Spain in the 16th century and was one of the original founders of the Jesuit order along with Saint Ignatius. Saint Francis left his homeland and proclaimed the Gospel in India, China and Japan. Through his efforts, he brought 30,000 souls to Christ. This feast of Saint Francis Xavier reminds us that Christ was the first missionary. He was the one who was sent by God the Father to leave his heavenly homeland and to become a foreigner in a strange land. Christ left behind all that was familiar to him to proclaim the good news to a people in need. He had to undergo much sacrifice and endure many trials like every missionary. Our Lord did this because it was the Father’s will and he loved us.

December 4 – Saint John Damascene. Saint John lived in Damascus around the year 700. He is a doctor of the church and was known for his defense of sacred images. The use of sacred images in prayer is both licit and laudatory because of the mystery of the Lord’s incarnation. We read in Colossians that Christ “is the image of the invisible God” (1:15). While some Christians wanted to prohibit the use of icons due to the Old Testament prohibition against graven images (Ex 20:4), Saint John knew that because the eternal Word of God became man, God now has a face, and we can paint his image and venerate it. Today, let us gaze intently upon an icon or image of Christ, and say a prayer of thanksgiving for his incarnation.

December 6 – Saint Nicholas. We really don’t know much about Saint Nicholas, a.k.a. Santa Clause, except that he was bishop of Myra, attended the First Council of Nicea and showed compassion toward the poor. Legend has it that he tossed three bags of gold coins into the home of a man who was on the verge of selling his daughters. St. Nicholas is a reminder for us to practice the virtue of generosity. Oftentimes, the Advent season can be marked with a selfish attitude. What do I want? Saint Nicholas reminds us that life is not about us but about serving Christ in others, especially in the poor.

Another way of keeping the Advent spirit is by keeping an Advent lectio calendar. For each day, simply do your lectio divina and write down a word or phrase that strikes you. In this way, you can listen with the ear of our heart to what God is saying to you during this Advent.

Our next Oblate Sunday is December 8, 2024, and I will be giving the second of four conferences on John Cassian’s Eight Evil Thoughts. You can view the first conference, which was a General Introduction, online. This second conference will address the thoughts of gluttony and lust. The Oblate Sunday begins with Mass at the Abbey at 9am. It is followed by a potluck brunch after Mass in the guesthouse dining room, where you can visit with other Oblates. The conference starts at 11am in the Westminster Room, and the day is concluded with Noon Prayer in the Abbey Church. It is a free event for oblates. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

The Hispanic Oblates are putting on their annual Posada on Sunday, December 15^th. It begins with Vespers in the Abbey Church and is followed by a meal in the Damien Center. To register for the event, please click here. Please sign up by today.

Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “Monastic Life: Tragedy or Comedy?” can be accessed here.

Prayer request. Please pray for Fr. Andrew on his namesday. Please also pray for all those who are near death. A number of people have asked me to pray for this intention. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada.

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
November 22, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world”
– Gospel for Sunday

This Sunday, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. At the Abbey it is known as an OS (Order of Subprior) feast, so I’ll be the main celebrant for Mass. We also have OP (Order of Prior) and OA (Order of Abbot) feast days. The next OA feast is Thanksgiving Mass at 9am.

In establishing the feast of Christ the King, Pope Pius XI wanted us to place our hope not in secular kings and governments, but in the true King, Christ the Lord. It would be an error to believe that we can establish the Kingdom of God through political maneuvering or social activity. No, while we are on earth, the prince of the world, that is the devil, holds sway. Christ came to establish a spiritual kingdom through his Church. He does not reign through fear and terror as world leaders of old did, but as Revelation states, he is a King who loves us and has freed us by his blood. He was a king who did not live for himself, but rather was a king who gave his life for the people on Mount Calvary, and because of that, we can truly say that he is the true King of the mountain.

However, his “Kingdom does not belong to this world”. Saint Therese tells us that Christ is the king of hearts and his kingdom resides within each one of us. Christ did not come into this world to reign over nations, but as Pope Pius XI wrote, “He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to him alone.”

How is Christ’s reign visible in our life?

Our next Oblate Sunday is December 8, 2024, and I will be giving the second of four conferences on John Cassian’s Eight Evil Thoughts. You can view the first conference, which was a General Introduction, online. This second conference will address the thoughts of gluttony and lust. The Oblate Sunday begins with Mass at the Abbey at 9am. It is followed by a potluck brunch after Mass in the guesthouse dining room, where you can visit with other Oblates. The conference starts at 11am in the Westminster Room, and the day is concluded with Noon Prayer in the Abbey Church. It is a free event for oblates. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

Prayer request. Please pray for the eternal rest of oblate Lillian “Ita” Davidson. She died earlier this week. Please pray for our alumnus, Fr. Chi-Nan Vo (picture below), who was ordained to the priesthood last weekend. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Happy Feast of St. Cecilia!

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Fr. Chi-Nan Vo

Oblate Calendar

December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada. To register for the event, please click here. Please sign up by November 30^th.

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
November 15, 2024

Dear Oblates,

On Dryness in Prayer

As you know, I was out most of last week due to an illness, and my experience of prayer during that time was quite dry and difficult. Perhaps, it was due to the lack of sleep or the bodily exhaustion, but whatever the case, whenever I was praying my brain was like a foggy morning hovering over in the valley. I would finish my prayer–silent prayer, the rosary or lectio divina–and wonder what just happened. Then I would ask myself how fruitful that prayer actually was. This experience of dryness or difficulty during prayer does not merely have to take place when one is sick but can happen in our regular prayer routine.

What I found quite helpful was reading what Saint Francis de Sales writes concerning this. He writes, “it is then a great mistake . . . to imagine that a tasteless, emotionless, cold service is less acceptable to God; since our actions are like the rose which is more pleasing when it is fresh, but has a more powerful scent when it is dry. So although those works which we perform with a kindled heart are more agreeable to us, who consider only our own gratification, yet, if they are performed amidst drought and barrenness, they are more costly and fragment unto God.” In short, Saint Francis is telling us that even dry or difficult prayer can be quite pleasing to God. I think this can be applied not only to prayer but to the good works that we do as well. Sometimes, we have to do something but don’t really feel like doing it. The activity is not pleasing to us. That is okay. Not everyone likes changing diapers, but if we still do it, no matter how unpleasant it may be for us, we can think of it as offering a dry rose to God. That is something beautiful in His eyes. Therefore, during your day or week, think about those dry and difficult moments and offer it up to God as a sacrifice of love. He welcomes with delight the love you show him whether it is pleasant to you or not.

The videos for Br. Ambrose’s September Oblate retreat can now be viewed here. His talks were entitled, “Luminous Darkness, Encountering Christ in the Uncomfortable Scriptures.” Talk titles are as follows:

“First Things” First: Rules for Reading the Bible.
The Wars that are Waged through Jesus”: Joshua 10 and Origen of Alexandria.
“Destroy Them in Anger . . . Destroy Not”: Psalms 57-59 and Gregory of Nyssa.
“Not Every Adultery Must be Condemned”: 2 Samual 11 and Ambrose of Milan.

The Hispanic Oblate are putting on their annual Posada on Sunday, December 15^th. It begins with Vespers in the Abbey Church and is followed by a meal in the Damien Center. To register for the event, please click here. Please sign up by November 30^th.

Prayer request. Please pray for the seven new oblates and the five new novices. Please pray for Abbot Jeremy and Abbot Peter McCarthy as they go on retreat next week. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Four new novices. Annie, Angela, Gabriela and Matthew.

Late novice addition. Seminarian Victor Amador.

Seven new oblates with Abbot Jeremy. Barbara “Therese”, Joanne “Teresa [of Calcutta]”, Bethany “Teresa Benedicta”, Travis “Peter”, Laura “Mary”, Allen “Thomas” and Michael “Ephrem”.

Oblate Calendar

December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada. To register for the event, please click here. Please sign up by November 30^th.

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
November 1, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.”
– Matthew 5:8

God is everywhere and in every situation and circumstance of life, but due to the consequences of sin, we fail to see the God who is always present to us. The saints, whom we celebrate today, were able to see God with the eyes of faith in their daily lives. We, who are trying to make our way to heaven, are less faithful. We don’t see the hand of God in our daily life, and there are several reasons for this.

One reason is because we are too busy and do not make the time to place ourselves in the presence of God. Saint Francis de Sales always recommended to begin prayer with this practice. The second reason is that we simply prefer the glamour of sin to the cross of Christ. It is easier to sin, more enjoyable to do it, and it makes us feel happy, at least momentarily. As a result, we blind ourselves from the loving gaze of the Father and intentionally place shades over our eyes. We do not have that purity of heart that Jesus speaks about. Lastly, we do not see God because our experience of life is so painful, and we say to God, “Lord do you not care?” “Where were you when my loved one died? Where were you when I got into a major accident? Where were you when I was stonewalled by my spouse?” Those are all legitimate questions, so in such circumstances, we need to dig down deeper in faith. “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.” God is present everywhere. Yes, even in the heavy crosses we carry. Oftentimes, we have a narrow vision and a limited perspective. The saints, however, had a broad vision, in which they were able to see the providential hand of God guiding every circumstance of life. Hence, they would have been able to pray the preface of the Mass with all honesty “It is truly right and just, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord Holy Father almighty and eternal God.”

We can be confident knowing that all things work for the good of those who love God (Rm 8:28), and that we can give thanks to the Lord because he is good, for his mercy endures forever (Ps 136:2). The saints, all the saints, are witnesses that we can see God in all the circumstances of our life. They themselves lived through extremely difficult times of great distress and came out victorious. May we open wide our eyes of faith today that we may see Christ everywhere, in everyone and in every circumstance.

Last week I gave a homily on the anniversary of Br. Gregory’s death. Some of you mentioned how much you appreciated, and my guess is that about 300 of the oblates benefited from his hospitality in the guesthouse. If you would like to listen to the homily, please click here. It starts at the 21:25 minute mark.

Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “Novels Are Not Just for Literature Professors… (Or: What Is Br. Ambrose Reading Now?)” is now available on the oblate articles page.

Our next Oblate Sunday is November 10, 2024, and I will be giving the first of four conferences on John Cassian’s Eight Evil Thoughts. This first conference will be a general introduction, and I will address the following:

What is a thought? What other words can help us with this understanding?
The similarities and differences between the eight evil thoughts and the seven deadly sins.
The relationship between the evil thoughts.
Understanding our principal vice.
Cultivating the opposing virtue as a way to overcome the evil thoughts.
The concept of anti-rhetikos, that is, talking back to the evil thought using Sacred Scripture.
Other general remedies to overcoming the evil thoughts.

The Oblate Sunday begins with Mass at the Abbey at 9am. It is followed by a potluck brunch after Mass in the guesthouse dining room, where you can visit with other oblates. The conference starts at 11am in the Westminster Room, and the day is concluded with Noon Prayer in the Abbey Church. It is a free event for oblates. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

Prayer requests. Please pray for the eternal rest for all the holy souls in purgatory. Also, please pray for Abbot Peter McCarthy, O.C.S.O., who is with us for a 3-week retreat. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

A Blessed Feast of All Saints,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

From Seminary Benefit Gathering.

From Seminary Benefit Gathering.

Sanctuary during Foundation Day. 142 years and still flourishing.

Oblate Calendar

November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
October 25, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God”
– Psalm 19:1

As you know, I flew out last week to North Dakota to visit the oblates. I won’t write about that experience here but rather say a little bit about my trip back.

Two days ago, I flew back to Portland from North Dakota via Minneapolis. Oftentimes, flying is not the most pleasant experience for me, waiting in long lines, cramped seats, loud and obnoxious passengers and two pieces of pretzel for lunch. However, the flight from Minneapolis to Portland was quite different and grace-filled. It was a sunny afternoon day when the plane took off in Minneapolis, and as we ascended to the skies, I looked out my window and saw a majestic scene, brilliant fall colors of sunny yellow, glowing orange and fiery red. Different hues of greens and a multitude of placid lakes decorated the landscape. As the flight continued, I looked out my window once more and saw another remarkable sight, fluffy clouds in dazzling white reflecting the sun’s brilliance and an open blue sky that stretch as far as the eye could see. After dozing in and out of consciousness for some time, we began our descent as the sun was beginning its descent. I looked out my window again, and I saw Mt. Adams in all her glory, snowcapped, floating on the clouds and shimmering in the evening light. In the distance was mount Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier joining the lovely procession. As the downward climb continued, I gazed upon the rugged desert landscape along the Columbia River, which slowly gave way to a blanket of fir trees and lush green foliage.

I saw in all this beauty a sign of God’s love and was truly grateful to see what billions of people have never seen. The words of the psalm rang loud and clear, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God.” God is alive! He is good and loves us immensely!

May we open our eyes today to the marvelous love of God through his numerous signs and give thanks to Him with all our hearts.

Our next Oblate Sunday is November 10, 2024, and I will be giving the first of four conferences on John Cassian’s Eight Evil Thoughts. This first conference will be a general introduction, and I will address the following:

What is a thought? What other words can help us with this understanding?
The similarities and differences between the eight evil thoughts and the seven deadly sins.
The relationship between the evil thoughts.
Understanding our principal vice.
Cultivating the opposing virtue as a way to overcome the evil thoughts.
The concept of antirrhetikos, that is, talking back to the evil thought using Sacred Scripture.
Other general remedies to overcoming the evil thoughts.

The Oblate Sunday begins with Mass at the Abbey at 9am. It is followed by a potluck brunch after Mass in the guesthouse dining room, where you can visit with other Oblates. The conference starts at 11am in the Westminster Room, and the day is concluded with Noon Prayer in the Abbey Church. It is a free event for oblates. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

Prayer requests. Please pray for the eternal of Br. Gregory Benavidez, whose anniversary Mass we will celebrate tomorrow. Please also pray for the success of the Seminary Benefit Gathering, which is tomorrow. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Seminarians presented as candidates for Holy Orders.

Men on discernment retreat last weekend. I am happy to say four of them are students or alumni of Chesterton Academy, where I am chaplain.

Oblate Calendar

November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
October 17, 2024

Dear Oblates,

Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant
– Mark 10:43

I will be leaving tomorrow for North Dakota to visit some oblates, so this note is early. It is a reflection on the gospel for this Sunday.

How eager we are to claim our rights as friends of the powerful king and Lord. Like James and John, we desire the positive benefits of the name Christian. Like them, we want to share in the glory of the Lord. While this may eventually happen, Jesus tells the apostles and us that the only way to enter into that glory is through the cup of suffering. That must have been quite the blow to the ambitious brothers. It is a blow to us as well. Unfortunately, no matter how much we try to deny it, the cross is our way to glory, our way to salvation, our way to God. As Jesus exhorts the apostles to share in his cup of suffering, so also he calls us to carry our cross daily and follow him.

What does this suffering entail? It means that if we wish to share in Christ’s glory, we must be a servant, for “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.” A servant who does what is asked of him and does it with love. It means that we are slaves, continuously denying our own will and looking to the interests of the other; dying to ourselves, so that we can love our neighbor. This cup of suffering is made of humility. Only the humble person is willing to take the lowest place. This is also the way of Christ. As Saint Paul tells us in the letter to the Hebrews, “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who has similarly been tested in every way” (4:15). Isaiah writes that the Messiah would give his life as an offering for sin and that through his suffering he would justify many (53:10-11). Our Lord, being truly human, understands fully the trial that comes with being a body, and because of this, he has great compassion on us here on earth. Not only does he sympathize with our weaknesses, but if we approach him and ask him for his help, we shall receive mercy and grace for timely help. Yes, the daily rigamarole is a heavy burden, and it seems that extra pieces of wood are laid upon our shoulders. But the Lord can do for us what Simon did for him, that is, he can help us carry our crosses, making our burden light.

Questions for reflection. Am I more interested in the benefits of being a Christian rather than truly being a Christian? What can I do to humbly serve those in need?

The Saint Anselm Online Deanery will begin their fall study on October 24, 2024. They will use the book Pray. Think. Act.: Make Better Decisions with the Desert Fathers by J. Augustine Wetta. If you are interested, please contact Mark Richards at mark.richards.ml@gmail.com.

Prayer request. Please pray for me and the oblates in North Dakota. Please pray also for the men who will be with us on the monastic discernment retreat this weekend. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Decembe
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
October 11, 2024

Dear Oblates,

Go, sell what you have . . . then come, follow me.
– Mk 10:21

This note is a little sneak peak into my Sunday homily.

One day when Saint Anthony walked into a church, he heard the words, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Mt 19:21). With that he sold his possessions, placed his sister in a convent and went into the desert to be with God alone. Soon he drew many admirers and followers, and in the Egyptian desert, there arose a great army of monks. From those monks, Saint Benedict would follow about 200 years later, and the monks here today are witnesses of this monastic tradition.

But it all began with the words of our Lord spoken to the rich young man. He wanted to be saved; he wanted to inherit eternal life. And how did Jesus answer his question? He told the rich young man to keep the commandments. When the young man said that he was already keeping these, Jesus said, “you are lacking one thing.” By saying this Jesus was pointing to the fact that the keeping of the commandments is not enough for salvation. There is more expected of us. What is that more? Jesus continues, “go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; Then come, follow me.” Our Lord is telling us to let go of our possessions, and even more importantly, our desire to possess. Only by being free from the disordered desires of our hearts will we be free to follow Christ more fully.

Saint Benedict knew this well, and it seems that his chapter on the Tools of Good Works, chapter 4, is an expansion of the gospel passage we heard today. In the first paragraph Saint Benedict essentially quotes the commandments given by Our Lord to the rich young man. However, like our Lord, St. Benedict does not end there. He goes on to spell out what it looks like to follow Christ. As Christ renounced himself, so we must renounce ourselves. As Christ, went to help the troubled, so we should reach out to those in need. As Christ spoke the truth with heart and tongue, so we should speak honestly. Indeed, as we read through the Tools of Good Works, let us think about Christ, the carpenter, as the one who used these tools in his daily living and let us follow in his example.

The Saint Anselm Online Deanery will begin their fall study on October 24, 2024. They will use the book Pray. Think. Act.: Make Better Decisions with the Desert Fathers by J. Augustine Wetta. If you are interested, please contact Mark Richards at mark.richards.ml@gmail.com.

Prayer request. Please pray for Abbot Jeremy and the Fellowship Retreat going on this weekend. Please also pray for the successful dismantling of the monastery water tower (pictures below). Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
10 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
12? – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Decembe
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
October 5, 2024

Dear Oblates,

On The 8 Evil Thoughts

If you have been following the calendar at the end of these weekly Note to Oblates, you will have seen that starting in November, I will be giving a series of four Oblate Sunday conferences on the 8 evil thoughts. These will be taken mostly from John Cassian’s Institutes, which is explicitly mentioned in chapter 73 of the Holy Rule (vs 5). Given that this book is recommended by St. Benedict, it behooves us to familiarize ourselves with this classic text. Indeed, new monks study this text and other works of the Fathers in their Monastic Sources class.

Pope Gregory, being familiar with the 8 evil thoughts, reduced it to 7, and it from this list that we have now what is commonly known as the 7 deadly sins. The understanding of one’s thoughts was important for the early monastics and St. Benedict. These early monks sought to live a life devoted to God; however, they still had to deal with their thoughts, and these could be at times a source of great disturbance. Why did these thoughts arise, what were the varying degrees of the thoughts and how were they to be remedied? In his Institutes, John Cassian gives answers to these questions. While this was originally written for monks, all Christians can benefit immensely from his deep acuity into human nature.

The 8 evil thoughts are the following: gluttony, lust, avarice, anger, acedia, sadness, vainglory and pride. However, John Cassian begins each chapter with the words, “The spirit of . . .”, so we can speak not only of gluttony, but also “the spirit of gluttony.” The monastic tradition teaches us that the one who fasts daily can be more of a glutton than the one who never fasts. Why? Because the one who fasts can actually be thinking of and desiring food more often than the one who does not fast.

In general, the remedy to these evil thoughts are the sacred scriptures. When the devil plants a thought into our minds, we must quickly run to of a verse of sacred scripture. St. Benedict alludes to this in the Holy Rule when he writes, “As soon as wrongful thoughts come into your heart, dash them against Christ” (4:50). Christ is the Word of God made flesh, and by quickly turning to him, we can transform those evil thoughts into thoughts of Christ. Of course, there is much more to say about this subject, but I just wanted to give you a brief introduction. The first one in the series will be on November 10 and it will be a general introduction to the 8 evil thoughts. To register for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Pre-run photo. Click here for video of beginning of race.

Post-run photo. 1st place – Br. Joseph; 2nd place – Br. Ambrose; 3rd place – Fr. Michael.

Oblate Calendar

November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 28, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The Holy Archangels

Tomorrow we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Holy Archangels and all the angels; it is Mount Angel’s patronal feast. If you are like me, you probably do not think too much about the holy angels with the exception of an occasional Saint Michael prayer or prayer to your guardian angel. However, those spiritual beings are very important for our spiritual and temporal well-being. The letter to the Hebrews writes concerning the angels, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent to serve, for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (1:14). The angels and the archangels have been assigned by God to minister to our weak humanity and help us get to heaven. This should make us rejoice. We do not have to do this on our own!

I will not write about all the archangels in this note but only about Saint Raphael. Perhaps, he is the most forgotten of the three archangels, but for this week in the Office of Readings, we have been going through the book of Tobit, in which he plays a paramount role. In the book of Tobit, Saint Raphael is intimately involved in Tobias’ journey to obtain money from a relative and to find a wife. Along the way, they catch a fish and save its heart, liver and gall, which he will use to cast out a demon and restore sight to his father Tobit.

This story reminds us how involved and concerned the holy angels are for us. We may not be on an earthly journey from one city to another, but all of us are on that heavenly journey to our true homeland. As St. Raphael accompanied Tobias, so he accompanies us on our spiritual journey to the Father. He leads and guides the way, and he shows what is good for us. He can lead us to our vocation if we are discerning it, or he can help us deepen our vocation and strengthen our commitment to living it out well. Through the grace of God, he helps heal our wounds and those of others, for his name means, “God heals,” or “God is medicine.” Lastly, through his power, he can chain up the demons who may be pestering us, for he can bind them “hand and foot” (8:3). Like a friend or travelling companion, the holy angels accompanying us through this earthly pilgrimage. Let us remember their presence this day and invoke their intercession, for their mission is our salvation.

As a way to celebrate this patronal feast, some monks will be running in a 5K race. We will begin at 2:15pm at the brewery on Sunday. You are welcome to come and cheer us on.

Prayer requests. Please pray for all the monks and all the oblates as we celebrate our patronal feast day tomorrow. Please pray in particular for Father Michael and Brother Gabriel whose namesday it is. All oblates can obtain a plenary indulgence of this day with the usual conditions. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

New Oblates. Sean “Cassian”, Tricia “Mary”, Cecilia “Marie” and Donald “Maurus.

Nine new novices.

Oblate Calendar

September
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 20, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The 4 Kinds of Monks, A Summary

Over the last several notes, I commented on Saint Benedict’s description of the four kinds of monks. One way to tie these different types of monks together is to see them in light of his brief description of the cenobite (SIN-noh-bite). The cenobite, he says, “belong to a monastery, where they serve under a rule and an Abbot” (2). This brief description can be related to the three vows monks make and the three promises oblates make, namely, stability (belonging to a monastery), fidelity (to the rule) and obedience (to authority). The other types of monks can be contrasted with the cenobite in that they do not live according to these vows.

The anchorite or hermit has no Abbot and hence is not able to practice obedience. He has been trained through the “test of living in the monastery for a long time” (3). He is now able to “grapple single handed with vices” (5). Likewise, the sarabaite (sar-ah-BAYE-ite) has no vow of obedience because he simply follows his own desires, his “law is whatever he likes to do” (8). Also, the sarabaite cannot practice fidelity to the monastic life because he has “no rule to try them” (6). Without a rule, he makes no growth in self-knowledge or the spiritual life. The gyrovague (JAI-roh-vayg), another detestable kind of monk, are the wandering lost souls. They “spend their entire lives drifting from region to region” (10). This external movement of their bodies is a clear window into their restless hearts. This constant wandering strongly contradicts the monastic vow of stability, without which the monk cannot bear the hard-won fruit of the virtues.

I hope these reflections have been beneficial for you in learning how you can live your own promises more faithfully. As Benedictines, we are cenobites, but there is always the temptation to be something other than who we truly are. We are tempted to be like a hermit and live alone even though we are not ready for this. We are tempted to be like the sarabaite and follow our own desires and whims rather than adhere to a rule of life. Lastly, we are tempted to follow the way of the gyrovague and go from one spiritual practice to another, rather than finding our stability in God and the ancient monastic practices.

Questions for reflection. Which one of the three kinds of monks am I tempted to be like? How can my understanding of the Benedictine promises help me to live the cenobitic life more faithfully?

Prayer request. Please pray for the retreatants who are on the oblate retreat this weekend, especially for the four novices who will be making final oblation. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Fr. Charles and Br. Gabriel holding ferrets at the Oktoberfest.

Oblate Calendar

September
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 13, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“Gyrovagues . . . are slaves to their own wills and gross appetites.”
Holy Rule 1:11

Saint Benedict reduces to a few versus several pages from the Rule of the Master about gyrovagues. In that rule, the gyrovague is described as the monk who goes from monastery to monastery taking advantage of the hospitality of other monks, especially in regard to food. When the extravagant dishes are no longer being served, then it is time for the gyrovague to depart. This puts Saint Benedict’s words on the gyrovague into fuller relief. He says they are first of all “slaves”. The one who never settles down; the one who goes from one pleasure to another has become a slave to his own will. He is no longer free to do the will of God and the words of our Lord ring true to his life, “everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (Jn 8:34). Because the gyrovague has failed to renounce themselves, they are no longer able to renounce satan. At every turn, they have succumb to their own will and lived according to their own opinion. St. Benedict’s second step of humility comes to mind here, “The second step of humility is that a man loves not his own will nor takes pleasure in the satisfaction of his desires” (7:31).

The gyrovague is also a slave to his gross appetites. An appetite is an attraction towards an end and is a natural faculty of the soul, however, it can become disordered and turned “gross” when it acts out of due proportion to its end. The appetite that is not moderate–whether it be food, activity or even thoughts–can quickly become an occasion of idolatry and bind one in chains from behind. Yes, God created the world for our use, health and enjoyment, but we must be careful not to be so enamored by creation that we fail we acknowledge the Creator of the gifts.

Questions for reflection. Where do I feel enslaved in my life? What is the root of it? How can I become more open to Christ setting me free?

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 2025. To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/. The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Prayer request. Please pray for Abbot Jeremy and all the other Abbots who are participating in the World Congress of Abbots during these days. Please also pray for the success of the Oktoberfest, which is going on this weekend. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

September
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 7, 2024

Dear Oblates,

Ephphatha! – that is, “Be opened.”

I wonder if these words were for the blind and mute man something of a refrain that echoed throughout his life after being healed by Jesus. Indeed, his ears and mouth were open, and perhaps, never closed again. But I would believe that in other areas of his life, he would have recalled these marvelous words of Jesus and his experience of profound healing. Be opened.

Perhaps, when he didn’t want to hear what somebody else was saying, these words of Jesus came back to him, be opened. Perhaps when he was in a situation in which he was afraid to speak the saving word of truth, he would have recalled these words of the Lord, be opened. Perhaps when he was tempted to harden his heart against someone who wronged him, he heard these words of our Lord echo within his own heart, be opened. Perhaps when he wanted to close his eyes to an inconvenient reality, he heard these words of our Lord echoing within his conscience, be opened.

Where in our life are we closed off from God and others? Where are we not allowing Christ’s life and the grace of God to flow into our lives? In these experiences, let us follow the example of the mute and deaf man. The gospel tells us that Jesus took him away by himself, and it was in that intimate union with Christ that the blind man heard Christ spoke and was healed of his lifelong infirmity. That is how God operates on us as well. When we go away to be alone with him, to spend quiet time in prayer and adoration, the divine physician can heal us of all our spiritual, and sometimes even physical infirmities. God opens us up to allow the flow of grace to be poured abundantly in our lives and to allow the light of Christ to shine in the darkness of our souls.

Prayer request. Please pray for the eternal rest of oblate Alice “Michael” Hahn, who passed away a few weeks ago. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

As novices, Br. Brandon Contreras and Br. Sherif Kamal approach the altar during the liturgy for their Simple Vows with the monastic community of Mount Angel Abbey.

Abbot Jeremy with Br Anthony of Egypt and Br Joseph

Following the liturgy for Simple Vows, now Br. Anthony of Egypt (left) and Br. Joseph Contreras (right) stand with Abbot Jeremy Driscoll.

Br. Isaiah Vargas approaches the altar during the liturgy for his Solemn Profession as a member of the monastic community of Mount Angel Abbey.

Br Isaiah Solemn Vows lying prostrate before the altar

During the liturgy, the monk professing Solemn Vows prostrates himself before the altar, signifying that he is leaving behind one life and assuming another.

Oblate Calendar

September
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 31, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The Gyrovague

Saint The gyrovague (JAI-roh-vayg) is the fourth and last type of monk St. Benedict writes about. He describes them tactfully as monks who “spend their entire lives drifting from region to region” (1:10). These are the wandering monks, who have no direction in their lives and simply go around in circles and get nowhere. It is interesting that St. Benedict uses the word drifting here as he does in the prologue. In the prologue we read that we have drifted from God through the sloth of disobedience (vs 2). The gyrovague is a prime example of this. Having no stability, he goes from one fancy to another. Hence, the gyrovague is not rooted nor is he grounded in anything. He does not know of the fruit borne by years of patient and loving service. He does not know of the faith required to persevere in one’s commitment despite carrying an arduous cross. He does not know of the joy of what it means to seek God with all of one’s heart, soul, mind and strength.

Although we are not gyrovagues, we can learn something from them. How can we fall into a gyrovague spirituality? I would say that there are two temptations to the cenobite presented by the gyrovague. The first is that we can be tempted to go from one spiritual practice to another. One year we may decide to pray the rosary regularly. The next year we decide to pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy. The following year we decide to pray the prayers of Saint Bridgit. While these pious exercises are not bad in themselves, we can ask ourselves, in what spiritual practice do I find stability? For the Benedictine, this is the praying of the liturgy. This is the work to which nothing is to be preferred (43:3).

A second way we can succumb to the gyrovague spirit is through the use of technology and entertainment. I am thinking that we can easily be a gyrovague when we are surfing the web. We go from one video to another. We wander from one website or article to another. We are seeking something to satisfy us and fill us, yet we are never fully satisfied. Like the gyrovague, our wandering eyes and bodies are a reflection of our restless hearts. Let’s put off this gyrovague mentality and allow our hearts to rest in God alone.

Questions for reflection. How does my (spiritual) life resemble that of a gyrovague? What is the source of that wandering spirit? What can I do to be more rooted in God?

Abbot Peter will be giving the next Oblate Sunday on September 8. The talk title is, “Humility: Putting the Peeled Onion Back Together.” To register for in person click here; for remote option click here.

You can now read Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “Lovers of the Place.”

Prayer request. Please pray for Brs. Zack, Townsen and Alex, who will begin their novitiate on Monday. Pray for Br. Sherif and Br. Brandon, who will make simple vows on Tuesday. Lastly, please pray for Br. Isaiah, who will make solemn vows on Wednesday. It’s a different type of holy triduum. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, Chancellor, installs the Very Reverend Jeff Eirvin, S.T.L., as president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary.

Very Reverend Jeff Eirvin speaks at the Mass of the Holy Spirit at Mount Angel Abbey after his installation as president-rector.

Professor Katie Jo LaRiviere, PhD, presents the Inaugural Address for the opening of the Seminary year on August 26, 2024.

Oblate Calendar

September
3 – Simple Vows at 7 pm
4 – Solemn Vows at 7 pm
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility, Part II. To register for in person click here; for remote option click here.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 24, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The Sarabaite, Part 2

Saint Benedict describes the sarabaites (sar-ah-BAYE-ites) with a very precise phrase, that is, they have “no experience to guide them” (vs 6). You don’t have to know much about monasteries to know that monks value tradition, history and the wisdom of the elders. As in the sapiential books of the Bible, the elders of the monastery pass on the wisdom they have gained to the newer monks. As Benedictines, we do not have to reinvent the wheel of spirituality every few months or few years. There is already a way paved out before us. We have these spelled out in the monastic writings Saint Benedict mentions in chapter 73 of the Holy Rule, and in the living example of the venerable elders (nonus) and in particular the Abbot. These elders have imbibed the monastic spirit over decades, and are in some sense, a living rule. For the this reason, Saint Benedict writes that in the eighth step of humility the monk does only what is endorsed, “the example set by his superiors” (7:55). While oblates do not have this type of living example among them, they can learn from the wisdom of the monastic tradition and the example (good example, of course) set by the monks.

With the novices in particular, I am hoping to share this monastic wisdom through the novice classes. These classes have all been pre-recorded and can be accessed here. People sometimes ask me what I expect from them as oblates, that is, what are the obligations of being an oblate. I usually respond by saying do your lectio, pray the liturgy and live the rule. You can say that is what Benedictines have to offer the world. It is nothing too sophisticated, but if you take it to heart, it works. The experience that is offered to us is very old, indeed, centuries old.

Questions for reflection. What is my attitude towards the tradition of the Church? Who is a venerable elder whom I seek to imitate? When was the last time I read a traditional piece of monastic literature?

Abbot Peter will be giving the next Oblate Sunday on September 8th. The talk title is, “Humility, Part II: Putting the Peeled Onion Back Together”. To register for in person click here; for remote option click here.

You can now read Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “Lovers of the Place.”

Prayer request. Please pray for our students, faculty and staff as we begin the new school year on Monday. During Mass on Monday, Fr. Jeff Eirvin will be installed as the new president-rector. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Very Reverend Jeff Eirvin, S.T.L., President-Rector Mount Angel Seminary

Fr. Jeff Eirvin

Oblate Calendar

September
3 – Simple Vows at 7 pm
4 – Solemn Vows at 7 pm
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility, Part II. To register for in person click here; for remote option click here.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012)
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
April
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat: Fr. Charles
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 17, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The Sarabaites

The sarabaites (sar-ah-BAYE-ites) are the third kind of monks Saint Benedict mentions, and like the anchorite, we Benedictines can learn something from them. The word sarabaite comes from the Coptic word which means, “man of communion,” but the sarabaite clearly does not live this out. Rather, he is a man of division for he transgresses the monastic vow of fidelity to the monastic life (conversatio).

The sarabaite cannot practice fidelity to the monastic life because he has no rule to guide him. He is a rule unto himself, “anything they believe and trust, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden” (2:9). You can say he is a premature anchorite, who has not, “come through the test of living in a monastery for a long time” (2:3). Hence, the sarabaite will never grow spiritually because he is never challenged to go beyond “whatever strikes their fancy” (8). This shows us how important it is to have a rule as a guid. And I see a threefold tier of rules for Benedictine oblates. The 1^st tier is the sacred scriptures, which is the surest guide to the Kingdom of heaven. The second tier is the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, and so the oblate should regularly read through the rule as a way of deepening his conversion. The third tier is a personal spiritual rule. Each individual oblate can have a unique rule inspired by the Gospel and the Holy Rule. Indeed, each Benedictine monastery has its own customary, which is something like a rule within the Holy Rule.

Having a rule is useful for growth in the spiritual life. It helps us grow in obedience, discipline and self knowledge. It helps keep us accountable and gives us a clear goal that we are aiming for. It teaches us perseverance, humility and self-renunciation. Even if we cannot keep the rule perfectly, it is for us a shining star that guides us to Christ, and we can always go back to it when we have strayed.

A rule can be seen as a burden, but if it is thought as a way of life rather than a list of demands, I believe there is a freeing quality about it. A person who simply wants to be a spontaneous, free spirit may bask in the glory of their freedom for a while but where is the stability, rootedness and direction.

Thought for reflection. If someone asks me what my spiritual rule is, how would I respond?

The retreat masters for the Oblate Retreats in 2025 are as follows:
Feb 7-9: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012).
May 23-25: Fr. Charles
Sept 19-21: Br. Thomas
Nov 7-9: Abbot Peter
Please contact the guesthouse at retreat@mtangel.edu to make a reservation.

Prayer request. Please pray for Br. Isaiah, who is on retreat in preparationn for his solemn profession (September 4). Please pray also for the new seminarians who will arrive next Wednesday. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Fr. Christian Melendez giving a conference at the Hispanic Oblate Study Days.

Oblate Janine Schutt giving some monks a hilltop birding tour. Click here to see the list of birds we saw (27 species).

Oblate Calendar

September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
5 – Ash Wednesday
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Apr
20 – Easter Sunday
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles
Jun
15 – Oblate Picnic
Jul
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
Aug
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
Sep
19-21 – Oblate Retreat. Br. Thomas
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
Oct
Nov
7-9 – Oblate Retreat. Abbot Peter
Dec
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 9, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“I am the bread that came down from heaven”
– from the Gospel for the 19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here is a sneak peek to my Sunday homily for those who will be at the Abbey.

When we hear these words of Jesus, perhaps we simply think of it in this way. Jesus is the Son of God, and He came down from heaven and gives us himself in the Eucharist. That is a very correct way to interpret this verse; however, there is a another interpretation that can help us shed a fuller meaning into this verse.

Dr. Brad Pitre in Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist explains how a Jewish listener might have interpreted Jesus words. He writes that the Jewish people were awaiting the Messiah and that this Messiah would be the new Moses, who would inaugurate a new exodus and give the people a new manna to eat. Some of us might be familiar with the teaching that says Christ is the new Moses, who inaugurates the new exodus, but a new manna? Didn’t that disappear with the entry into the promised land? The answer is both yes and no.

In rabbinic literature such as the Talmud, we read that the heavenly manna was kept in heaven, and even when it ceased to exist on earth, it continued to exist in heaven. This manna was thought to come down once more from heaven when the Messiah came. Midrash Rabbah reads, “as the first redeemer caused manna to descend . . . so will the latter redeemer cause manna to descend” (90). Therefore, as the Jewish people heard these words, they would have likely made the connection that Jesus was proclaiming himself as the Messiah, for he was bringing down heavenly bread.

However, there is a huge caveat. While Christ is the Messiah, the manna he came to bring is not something external to him as it was for Moses, but it was his very self. As we read Jesus saying a few verses later, “the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” He brings a new manna that is looks like bread but is truly his flesh. Let us not forget that along with the manna, God gave the Israelites flesh to eat in the form of quails. The manna and quail are merely signs pointing to a greater reality and find their true fulfillment in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the daily bread that sustains us on our journey to the true promised land.

Abbot Peter will be giving the next Oblate Sunday on August 11^th. The talk title is, “Vainglory: The Vice That Draws all Things to Itself”. To register for in person, click here; remote option, click here.

The retreat masters for the Oblate Retreats in 2025 are as follows:
Feb 7-9: Br. Cyril – Oblate Saints: St. Henry, St. Frances of Rome, Servant of God Dorothy Day and Nadeem Feroze (d. 2012).
May 23-25: Fr. Charles
Sept 19-21: Br. Thomas
Nov 7-9: Abbot Peter
To register email retreat@mtangel.edu. The September and November retreats for 2024 are already full.

Prayer request. Please pray for the success of the Hispanic Oblate Study Days, which is happening next week. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility. “Vainglory: The Vice That Draws all Things to Itself”.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 2, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The kinds of monks: the anchorite and hermit
– Chapter 1

The anchorites or the hermits are the second kind of monks Saint Benedict writes about. They are spoken of in a positive manner, and while we may not be anchorites, we can learn something about our calling through the description Saint Benedict gives to them. There are three points of note.

First, one can only become a hermit after living in community for a long time. Some people want to be a hermit because they cannot stand living with other people. What Saint Benedict says is that if you cannot live with others, you definitely cannot live alone. It is through life in community that we are tested in virtue. How can we say that we are patient if we have no one to irritate us. Indeed, it is through those with whom we live that virtue is cultivated. I tell people that I thought I was holy, and then I entered the monastery. It was in the monastery that I grew in self-knowledge and was enlightened of my weaknesses and shortcomings. That was a wonderful grace, for it helped me to grow in humility and dependence on God.

Second, Saint Benedict says that anchorites are self-reliant and do not need the support of another. Conversely to the first point, the community is not a source of trial but a source of support. Anyone who has lived alone knows the challenge of not having the assistance of another. In the spiritual life, we need others to encourage us–for the sleepy like to make excuses (ch 22). We need others to keep us accountable– one or two seniors must surely be deputed to make the rounds (ch 48). We need the emotional support and love of the elders–lest we be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow when disciplined (ch 27). As we read in Ecclesiastes, “Woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up” (4:10). The hermitical life is not for the faint of heart.

Lastly, the anchorite or hermit gives us a model of being single-hearted and single-minded for the Lord. What they live literally, we hope to live spiritually. Anchorites are literally separated from the world and are alone with God. We hope to be spiritually detached from worldly allurements and live for God alone. In addition, I would say that we all need moments of being a hermit, that is, time to be alone with God. In the life of our Lord, he often withdraws from the crowds to be alone with God. For busy folks, the best times for this are usually early in the morning or late at night. When is your hermit time?

Abbot Peter will be giving the next Oblate Sunday on August 11th. The talk title is entitled, “Vainglory: The Vice That Draws all Things to Itself”. To register for in person, click here; remote option, click here.

Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “Icons of humility” can now be accessed on the oblate webpage.

All nine of the 2024 Oblate Study Days videos with Christin McIntyre–Marian Mental Health and Spiritual Warfare–are posted on the oblate video web page. They are also in YouTube in the oblate playlist.

Prayer request. Please pray for the seminarians who are here for the 3-week Intensive Spirituality Program. It is done prior to the beginning their theological studies. I will be giving a conference to them this afternoon on Our Lady and the priesthood. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

P.S. – Pictures below from the Oblations this past Sunday. Please pray for our 16 new Hispanic Oblates.

Abbot Jeremy receives the oblation of new Hispanic oblates of Mount Angel Abbey. Br. Ignatius (right) is the director of the Hispanic oblate program

Abbot Jeremy, with Br. Ignatius (far left) and Fr. John Paul (far right), with the new oblates and their families

Oblate Calendar

August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility. “Vainglory: The Vice That Draws all Things to Itself”.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 27, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“Cenobites . . . belong to a monastery, where they serve under a rule and an Abbot.”
-Holy Rule 1:2

Benedictines are cenobites, that is, they live the monastic life in community rather than alone, and the brief description Saint Benedict gives concerning the cenobites points to the three vows monks make and the promises oblates implicitly make. Therefore, let us go through each point carefully.

Cenobites belong to a monastery, and this is related to the promise of stability. Oblates do not simply live the Benedictine spirituality, but they are connected to the spiritual tradition and history of a particular monastery. This implies that an oblate should get to know the monastery, its liturgy and even the monks. We, both monks and oblates, are one family in Christ. There is a range of frequency with which oblates can visit the monastery. Some come every day, others only once every few years. However, the important thing is that an oblate’s heart is with the monastery and regards the monastery as their spiritual home. For example, a monk may need to leave the monastery often, or he may be assigned at another location. Although he may seem to not be keeping stability, if his heart is with the monastery, we can say that the monk is practicing stability of the heart. So too, the oblate who is in a similar circumstance can put this into practice.

Cenobites serve under a rule and this is related to the promise of fidelity/conversion. The rule for us is a gauge of how faithful we are to the promises we made. It sets the standard and expectation for us, and although we may not keep it perfectly, it gives us a worthy goal to strive after, and can be a source of continual conversion. We have rules everywhere we go from the workplace, to school, to church and even in our homes. These rules provide order and guidance for its members, but do we have a rule for our spiritual life? For the oblate, the Holy Rule lays out the game plan for one’s spiritual life, and I recommend that oblates create a personal rule of life inspired by the Holy Rule. Indeed, each individual monastery has their own customary, which manifests their interpretation of Benedict’s Rule.

Lastly, cenobites serve under an Abbot and this is related to the promise of obedience. While most oblates do not have a personal relationship with the Abbot, and much less receive indirect orders from the Abbot, the oblate should see himself/herself as a spiritual son or daughter of the Abbot. The Abbot is the father of the community of monks and oblates. One way to practically live this out is simply to follow what is going on at the Abbey and read and reflect on the material that is sent out to oblates. Also, in recent years Abbot Jeremy has been promoting the 7 rich ways. These are monastic ways that can be lived out by the average person, and therefore, they have a particular significance for oblates. Maybe you can reflect on one of these rich ways every week and see how you can better incorporate this into your life.

All nine of the 2024 Oblate Study Days videos with Christin McIntyre–Marian Mental Health and Spiritual Warfare–are posted on the oblate video web page. They are also in YouTube in the oblate playlist.

We will have an Oblate Day of Prayer here at the Abbey from 9-5 pm on Tuesday, August 13. Please reply to this email if you are interested in attending. Rooms are available in the guesthouse if necessary. If you have a prayer request you would like us to pray for, please click here.

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 2025. To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/ . The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Prayer requests. Please pray for Bishop Kevin Vann, bishop of Orange County who made his final oblation yesterday. Please pray also for the 16 Hispanic oblate novices who will make their final oblation tomorrow. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Bishop Vann of the Diocese of Orange with Abbot Jeremy

Bishop Vann and Abbot Jeremy

Guy Mintus at the piano for the children's concert at the Abbey Bach Festival 2024

From the children’s concert

Children gathered onstage at the Abbey Bach Festival 2024

From the children’s concert

Oblate Calendar

July
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 19, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“The Kinds of Monks”

After two years of weekly Oblate notes, I finally finished the Prologue. I hope that the next chapter will not take as long. In fact, I plan on going through the rest of the Rule much more quickly, but we’ll see how that pans out. Chapter 1 of the Holy Rule is entitled, “The Kinds of monks“. While oblates are not monks, I believe that they can still learn something from the meaning of the word monk. It comes from the Greek word monos, meaning alone. Originally, the term “monk” was used to described those who lived alone although they may have still lived in the cities. As time progressed, monks were those who went out into the desert to be alone with God. Later, monks lived in communities, yet they were still thought of as monks. They were monks (one) in the sense that they lived a life of oneness, unity and communion.

The monk is one with God, one with himself and one with others. He is one with God through prayer, especially through the praying of the liturgy of the hours and the reading of the sacred Scriptures. The monk is one with himself through living a life of discipline. His heart is not divided but pure. He is single minded, and his thoughts are set on the things above. Lastly, he is one with others through charity by which he grows in communion with is fellow man. Therefore, a monastic community though many are one body in Christ.

Although oblates are not monks per se, they can still live the monastic spirit. Oblates sanctify the world by taking that monastic spirit out into the world and transforming it rather than being conformed to it. They do this by living a fully integrated life centered on God, which then radiates into their personal lives and into their communal lives. Hence, oblates can truly be one in their relationships.

Questions for reflection. Am I living a life of unity with God, myself and others? What ways may I be living a divided life?

For those interested, Oblates can receive Abbey Bach Festival tickets at a discounted rate.

We will have an Oblate Day of Prayer here at the Abbey from 9-5 pm on Tuesday, August 13. Please reply to this email if you are interested in attending. Rooms are available in the guesthouse if necessary. If you have a prayer request you would like us to pray for, please click here.

Prayer requests. Please pray for the National Eucharistic Congress and the retreatants on the Eucharistic Miracles retreat this weekend. Please pray also for the success of the Abbey Bach festival starting next Wednesday. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

P.S. – Some pictures from the St. Benedict Festival below. To view full album, click here.

This statue of St. Benedict is decorated and ready for the procession at the end of the St Benedict Festival 2024

This statue of St. Benedict is decorated and ready for the procession at the end of the festival

Abbot Jeremy, signing books at the Saint Benedict Festival 2024

A display about the history of the Divine Office at Mount Angel Abbey, in the Abbey Experience booth at the Saint Benedict Festival 2024.

Novice Br. Sherif with postulant Br. Zach and Br Townsen at the Saint Benedict Festival 2024

Novice Br. Sherif (left) is with postulant Brs. Zach and Townsen at the Saint Benedict Festival 2024

Oblate Calendar

July
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 13, 2024

Dear Oblates,

St. Henry, Patron of Benedictine Oblates

On July 13—just two days after the feast of Saint Benedict—the Church commemorates Saint Henry (or “Heinrich”) II, the heavenly patron of all Benedictine Oblates. Born in 973, he became Duke of Bavaria in 995, King of Germany in 1002, and ultimately Holy Roman Emperor in 1004. Despite his involvement in imperial politics, however, Henry was deeply religious. As a child, he was tutored by Wolfgang, the bishop of Regensburg, who would himself go on to become a saint (his feast is celebrated on October 31). At the age of 26, he married Cunigunde (or “Kunigunde”) of Luxembourg, but the couple remained celibate on account of their intense love for Christ. Shortly after Henry’s death in 1024, Cunigunde founded and entered the Benedictine monastery of Kaufungen Abbey. She, too, is venerated as a saint (her feast is celebrated on March 3).

During his reign as Holy Roman Emperor, Henry was especially solicitous for Benedictine monasticism. He donated vast sums of money and large swaths of land to existing monasteries and, along with his wife, founded new ones. Legend has it that he once ordered the Abbot of Saint-Vanne in Verdun to receive him as a monk. The clever abbot accepted Henry’s vow of obedience, but immediately ordered him to resume his administration of the Empire. Citing this legend, some honor Saint Henry as “the first Benedictine Oblate.” Alongside Saint Frances of Rome—who formally founded the Institute of Oblates in the fifteenth century—Henry was declared the patron saint of Benedictine Oblates by Pope Saint Pius X.

Saint Henry’s tomb might serve as an icon for Benedictine oblates today. The top slab depicts Henry, bearing the signs of his secular rule, lying beside Cunigunde, his faithful wife. Below, a relief carved on Henry’s side of the tomb depicts him stripped of all but his crown, lying ill in bed. Saint Benedict, miraculously, stands at his side, reaching over to relieve him of his “stone sickness” (“Steinleiden”). Henry’s vocation was evidently not that of a monk, but he could never have borne the burden of his secular duties—nor maintained the purity of his marriage—without the aid of Saint Benedict and his stable, obedient, and balanced spirituality. Whatever burdens we might bear, Saint Henry reminds us of the power we all possess as spiritual sons and daughters of Saint Benedict.

For those interested, Oblates can receive Abbey Bach Festival tickets at a discounted rate.

We will have an Oblate Day of Prayer here at the Abbey from 9-5 pm on Tuesday, August 13. Please reply to this email if you are interested in attending. Rooms are available in the guesthouse if necessary. If you have a prayer request you would like us to pray for, please click here.

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 2025. To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/ . The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Prayer Requests. Please pray the success of the Saint Benedict Festival today. There are over 1,000 registered guests. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

P.S. – Reflection above written by Br. Ambrose.

St Henry’s tomb

Classical Iconography Institute graduates display their icons in church

Abbot Jeremy with Classical Iconography Institute graduates

Oblate Calendar

July
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 11, 2024

Dear Oblates,

I just wanted to send you a quick feast day greetings. May your celebration of our patronal feast be filled with love and joy and may your imitation of St. Benedict lead you closer to Christ. Below is part of the reading (from Vigils) for today’s feast written by Guerric of Igny.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

“Through his faith and gentleness the Lord sanctified him. These words were written of Moses, but they may today be applied not unfittingly, I think, to blessed Benedict. For since he was filled with the Spirit of all the saints, it is reasonable to believe that he had not a little of Moses’ spirit. If the Lord took some of the spirit of Moses and put it upon the whole group of elders who assisted him and were chosen to share his ministry, how much more must he have put that spirit on a man who more truly and more spiritually carried out every ministry in its fullness? Moses led those who came forth from Egypt; Benedict was leader of those who forsook the world. Moses was a legislator: so was Benedict. Moses was minister only of the letter that kills; Benedict was minister of the spirit that gives life. Moses wrote much that is difficult to understand and inapplicable today or impossible to put into practice; Benedict is the author of a very sound rule of life that is clearly written and remarkable for its discretion. Finally, the leader of the children of Israel did not bring into the promised rest those he had led out of Egypt. Our leader, as the standard bearer of an army of monks, has gone before us by the straight way, the way stretching east, into the kingdom of heaven. It is therefore not unreasonable to think that he equaled in merit one whom he actually surpassed in ministry. Nor does it seem unfitting to apply to him what scripture says of Moses: Though his faith and gentleness the Lord sanctified him, especially since Benedict, who lived what he taught, teaches us those two virtues in particular.”

Oblates receive complimentary tickets to the Saint Benedict Festival and can get additional tickets at 50% off.

For those interested, Oblates can receive Abbey Bach Festival tickets at a discounted rate.

We will have an Oblate Day of Prayer here at the Abbey from 9-5 pm on Tuesday, August 13. Please reply to this email if you are interested in attending. Rooms are available in the guesthouse if necessary. If you have a prayer request you would like us to pray for, please click here.

The videos for the oblate novice conferences have all been finished and can now be accessed here. There are conferences by monks on the Holy Rule, Lectio Divina, the life of St. Benedict and the Liturgy. You will need to ask permission to access the videos.

Oblate Calendar

July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 6, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“Never departing from His guidance, but persevering in His teaching in the monastery until death, we may by patience share in the sufferings of Christ, that we may deserve to be partakers of His kingdom.”
– Prologue 50

One of the monks showed me a note to oblates written by Abbot Damian Jentges (Abbot from 1950-1974) when he was Oblate Director in 1946. I share his reflection on this last verse of the Prologue of the Holy Rule now with you.

“Many make the mistake of abandoning whatever they have undertaken, as soon as hardships or obstacles make their appearance. Nothing can be more harmful. Once having made a certain that the goal is good and worth the effort, errors in forsaking his resolutions, just because difficulties arise. We can find no goal of greater value than perfection and union with God, they mean, eternal happiness. No sacrifice, then, can be too great for that.

How many have departed from God‘s ways just because his religion asked for a certain restraint! How many Christians, as soon as the extra prayers, etc., became routine, have abandoned the resolution to make a greater effort in their spiritual life, to live their Christian life more perfectly so as to gain a closer union with God!

A similar temptation can, and will confront those, in order to devote more attention to their spiritual life, happy come oblates. The evil one was strive to draw them away from their resolutions; will, in fact, make it a special point to do so. He will strive to make the spiritual life seem difficult , yes, or try to convince them that it is impossible to lead a good life out in the world.

This is all fallacy. The list of saints includes every rank and status of life. Whoever wishes follow Christ must take up the cross, and from this Christ made no exception, be priest, or layman, religious or one out in the world. Those who easily become discouraged in this struggle would do well to read and meditate upon Saint Benedict words which he selected to conclude the introduction of his rule.

Merrily not to depart from God’s guidance is not enough, however; we must persevere, and until death. This means that we must struggle up the steep path that leads to perfection. But this should not frighten one who has no intentions. He must look to go, to the end of all his endeavor, namely, union with our Lord Jesus Christ. The struggles are but the prelude and the price of our entry into the kingdom of God . “Indeed of God, and joint errors with Christ; but if we suffer with him, so that we may be glorified with him“ (Romans 8:17).”

Oblates receive complimentary tickets to the Saint Benedict Festival and can get additional tickets at 50% off.

For those interested, Oblates can receive Abbey Bach Festival tickets at a discounted rate.

We will have an Oblate Day of Prayer here at the Abbey from 9-5pm on Tuesday, August 13. Please reply to this email if you are interested in attending. Rooms are available in the guesthouse if necessary. If you have a prayer request you would like us to pray for, please click here.

The videos for the oblate novice conferences have all been finished and can now be accessed here. There are conferences by monks on the Holy Rule, Lectio Divina, the life of St. Benedict and the Liturgy. You will need to ask permission to access the videos.

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 2025. To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/ . The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Prayer Requests. Please pray for the 27 seminarians, who will begin their propaedeutic stage of formation tomorrow. Please pray also for the success of the iconography retreat which starts next Monday. We have 5 monks attending the retreat and a few oblates. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Thursday is the Solemnity of Our Holy Father Saint Benedict. Under his guidance, may we go together unto everlasting life.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

New Hispanic Oblate Novices

Angels vs. Saints, Part III. The monks are now 0-3 against the students of Chesterton Academy

Br. Townsen handles the soccer ball

Br. Zack on the attack

Oblate Calendar

July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
June 28, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“You see how the crowd is pressing upon you.”
– from the Gospel for Sunday

The crowd is the aspect of the gospel that caught my attention. We can infer that the crowd was interested in what Jesus had to say, saw his miracles and heard his teachings. However, this experience of Jesus did not touch them personally, for they themselves were pressing upon Jesus, and yet there is no record of anything happening to them. In contrast, it was the woman, who was suffering from hemorrhages, that was truly touched by Jesus when she touched his clothes. I wonder what the crowd might have thought. Perhaps, they might have thought to themselves, “I was pressing upon Jesus, but I didn’t experience his powerful healing.” Did it move them to conversion?

I think we can relate to the crowd in the gospel. Like the crowd, we follow Jesus. Like the crowd, we hear this teaching. Like the crowd, unfortunately, we remain the same even after encountering Him. When we received the Eucharist, does it really make a difference in our lives? After receiving absolution, are we converted or do we quickly go back to our sin? Yes, we can oftentimes be like the crowd. This is not a judgment but a mere description of reality. The woman, on the other hand, was touched and transformed by Jesus when she touched him. Why was she transformed? She was transformed because she had a daunting faith and truly believed that Jesus could heal her. She was transformed because she was desperate and had no other hope except in Christ alone. As we come to the Eucharist on Sunday, let us bring our ills, trials and sufferings to the Lord, and allow ourselves to be touched and healed by his grace.

Oblates receive complimentary tickets to the Saint Benedict Festival and can get additional tickets at 50% off. To volunteer, click here.

For those interested, Oblates can receive Abbey Bach Festival tickets at a discounted rate.

The videos for the oblate novice conferences have all been finished and can now be accessed here. These videos are for all oblates, not just novices. There are conferences by monks on the Holy Rule, Lectio Divina, the life of St. Benedict and the Liturgy. You will need to ask permission to access the videos.

Br. Ambrose latest article, entitled, “What’s in a Name?” can be access by clicking here.

Prayer request. Please pray for Deacon Anthony Shumway from the diocese of Salt Lake City. He is an alumnus and an oblate and will be ordained to the priesthood today. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Abbot Jeremy with the new superiors

Deacon Anthony Shumway

Oblate Calendar

July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
June 22, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”
– Prologue 49

Saint Benedict makes us a promise. He tells us that if we persevere in this way of life, we will make progress toward Christian perfection and will arrive at that perfect love, which casts out fear. Indeed, love is what the Christian journey is all about. “God is love” and those who belong to Christ are called to be images of the Father. St. Therese knew well this purpose, for she wrote, “in the heart of the church, my mother, I will be love.”

The image of this growth in love as we follow the Benedictine way is that of an expanding heart. Our hearts will grow in its capacity to love as we faithfully put into practice what St. Benedict recommends, namely, regular prayer, lectio divina, silence, humility, discipline, service and the tools of good works. I love the way Saint Benedict puts it, “our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.” He is saying that there will be such an abundance of love within us that it will overflow out into the world. Just as God’s love cannot be contained, neither can our love. This love is characterized by an inexpressible delight. To love is to be filled with joy. This is the reward of seeking God with all of our heart and preferring nothing whatsoever to Christ. We will become like him in love. We will be sharers in the divine nature.

Questions for reflection. Am I growing in love? Where is God calling me to greater love?

Oblates receive complimentary tickets to the Saint Benedict Festival and can get additional tickets at 50% off. To volunteer, click here.

For those interested, Oblates can receive Abbey Bach Festival tickets at a discounted rate.

The videos for the oblate novice conferences have all been finished and can now be accessed by this link. There are conferences by monks on the Holy Rule, Lectio Divina, the life of St. Benedict and the Liturgy. You will need to ask permission to access the videos.

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 2025. Family members of oblates are invited. To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/ . The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Prayer request. Please pray for alumni James Ladd and Brent Durschmidt who will be ordained to the sacred order of the priesthood today. Please also pray for the success of the various novices groups. God has blessed us with many new novices this year. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

From the Oblate Picnic

For video click here

Oblate Calendar

July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
June 15, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset.”
– Prologue 48

Stability is key to advancement in the spiritual life. It is easy to make a sincere resolution, a good beginning, but it is challenging to persevere to its completion. We all have experienced this reality. The Benedictine way though neither “harsh” nor “burdensome” can be challenging and difficult at times. The commitment to prayer, lectio and the monastic disciplines can become mundane and acedia can easily slip in. Saint Benedict encourages us to stay the course, and not to be daunted by fear.

Fear can be such a strong force in our lives; it drives our actions, moves our interior life, and can wipe away are good intentions. Perhaps, you have been moved to fear at the prospect of having to be faithful to such a lofty calling as an oblate. “I can’t fulfill these promises I made,” you say to yourself. Even though there may be fear, take courage, the Lord is near, and do not run away. The way laid out to us is the road to everlasting life. It is the most important journey we will ever make; it is the journey back to God from whom we came. Therefore, while this road may seem narrow and restricting at the outset, it will become broader and open the gate to many graces. Yes, we need stick to the straight and narrow, not going off to extremes on either side. The way has been shown to us. All we must do is commit to it.

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 2025. On June 19th, 2024, I will open this up to family members of oblates.
To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/ . The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Prayer request. Please pray for the continued success of the Study Days for the Oblate Picnic on Sunday. Please also pray for the 10 men who are with us this weekend for the monastic discernment retreat. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Br. Brandon with the bees

Another photo of Br Brandon with the bees

Br. Jesse with a little friend

Oblate Calendar

June
16 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
June 7, 2024

Dear Oblates,

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

The feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (today’s feast) is always the Friday after Corpus Christi, and indeed, these two feasts are intricately connected, for they both reveal the depth of God’s love for humanity. In the gospel for today, we read that after Jesus died, his side was pierced by a lance and blood and water poured forth. Tradition holds that the lance, which pierced his side, extended all the way to his heart, so we can rightly pray in the liturgy, “Come, let us worship Jesus, whose heart was wounded for love of us” (Invitatory Antiphon). Christ in showing his love for us does not hold anything back. He, as we read in the gospel according to John, “loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end” (13:1). Today’s feast reminds us that there is no limit to God’s love, and whenever we feel down and out, we can always find consolation and hope by resting in our head on Christ’s Sacred Heart.

This feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is related to the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist in a unique way. Studies of Eucharistic miracles reveal that the consecrated Host is tissue from the human heart. These tests also reveal that the sample is fresh, that is, recently taken from the specimen. This confirms the teaching of the Church that the Eucharist is truly the living and risen Body and Blood of Christ. We who are observant Catholics can fall prey to routine and complacency. These findings on the Eucharistic miracles can help us keep fresh what we know and believe to be true. Therefore, when the priest elevates the sacred Host during the Mass or when you worship Christ during adoration, know that before you is the Eucharistic and Sacred Heart of Jesus that was wounded for love of you. Pray that the love, which is in His heart, may be in your heart.

This Sunday June 9th is our next Oblate Sunday, and Br. Jesse will be giving a conference on humility entitled, “Ladder to love.” For in-person, click here. For remote option, click here.

The Oblate Pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy is from June 19-30, 205. To learn more and register, go to the website at https://www.206tours.com/cms/mountangelabbey/ . The Login is “Saint” and the Password is “Francis206”. You will need to create an account with 206tours before being able to register. When you have completed all the steps, click “complete order”, and a pop-up for your credit card information will appear. Please contact Sandra Koceja for any questions at (619) 607-0365 (c) or romevilla11@gmail.com.

Please pray for Father Teresio as he begins his term as prior of the monastery on Monday. Please pray also for the doctorate of ministry program, which will begin on Monday. Abbot Jeremy will be teaching the first week of classes. Lastly, please pray for the success of the oblate study days, which will start next Thursday. Thank you. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Please pray for us. For names, click here

Cows supervising work at the abbey 2024

Oblate Calendar

June
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Jesse on Humility.
13-16: Oblate Study Days: Christin McIntyre – Marian Mental Health and Spiritual Warfare.
16 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
June 1, 2024

Dear Oblates,

“If it’s a symbol, to hell with it!”
– Flannery O’Connor

In a significant scene from the new film about Flannery O’Connor (“Wildcat”), the young Southern writer finds herself at the head of a table—reminiscent of Christ at the Last Supper—surrounded by a group of literary elites. Aware that Flannery is a devout Catholic, their conversation quickly turned toward the Blessed Sacrament. “Do Catholics really believe,” one of them asked, “that they’re eating the body of Christ—like cannibals?” The woman sitting beside Flannery, attempting to be diplomatic, described how she understood the Eucharist to be “a lovely, expressive symbol.” Flannery, never one to sugarcoat the truth, interjected with what has come to be her most-quoted line: “if it’s a symbol, to hell with it!”

Flannery elaborated on her abrupt defense of the Blessed Sacrament in one of her published letters: “That was all the defense I was capable of but I realize now that this is all I will ever be able to say about it, outside of a story, except that it is the center of existence for me; all the rest of life is expendable” (Habit of Being, 125). For Flannery, the Eucharist was not a symbol of something else; instead, “all the rest of life” was a symbol of the Eucharist.

This vision of reality was articulated more fully in one of Flannery’s most famous stories, “A Temple of the Holy Ghost” (providentially one of the four stories we studied during our recent community retreat). In the story’s final scene, its young protagonist (a delightfully-sassy little girl) is dragged into Eucharistic Benediction by a “big moon-faced nun” from the fictional convent of “Mount St. Scholastica.” During the chanting of the Tantum Ergo, the child began her mechanical litany of prayers: “Hep me not to be so mean… Hep me not to give her so much sass. Hep me not to talk like I do.” But at the moment the priest elevated the monstrance, the child’s mind unexpectedly wandered to the “freak” she had heard about from the local fair—in this case, a person who happened to be “a man and woman both.”

Earlier in the story, the child had dreamt of this “freak” as the presider at a Eucharistic liturgy. His lines from the circus performance—“God made me thisaway and I don’t dispute hit”—bled seamlessly into his Christian exhortation: “Raise yourself up. A temple of the Holy Ghost. You! You are God’s temple, don’t you know? Don’t you know? God’s Spirit has a dwelling in you, don’t you know?”

This vision draws together shocking contraries: circus and church, male and female, bread and body, sin and grace. But all of these paradoxes point ultimately to Jesus Christ, the God-man, who alone holds them together in himself. As St. Paul once said: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). And again: “he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh” (Eph 2:14).

As the child was being driven home from the convent that evening, she looked out the window and saw the sun. The “huge red ball” appeared to her “like an elevated Host drenched in blood.” As it sank, “it left a line in the sky like a red clay road hanging over the trees.” Her experience at Mount St. Scholastica had opened her eyes to see the whole created order, in all its majesty and mystery, as a road leading straight to the source of all grace: the most precious body and blood of Christ, which is the feast we celebrate tomorrow.

The annual Oblate Picnic will take place on Sunday, June 16th, 2024. Mass will be at 10am followed by the picnic. To sign up, please click here. Hispanic oblates can inform Br. Ignatius. The deadline is June 2nd.

Our next Oblate Sunday will be on June 9th, and Br. Jesse will be giving a conference on humility entitled, “Ladder to love.” For in-person, click here. For remote option, click here.

The skit that the Abbot did last week was truly something to remember. It was taken from Flannery’s O’Connor’s The Enduring Chill. To watch it, you can click here. To set up the scene, the Abbot writes, “It’s a scene from the story titled “The Enduring Chill,” which tells of an arrogant young man who disdains his poor Southern town and travels to New York City to become a sophisticated writer. But he fails at that and so makes himself, or imagines himself, deathly ill and comes home to die. He is spiteful and tries to find ways to annoy his mother, who refuses to let him die. One of the ways he thinks to annoy her is to ask for a visit from a Jesuit priest to speak to since he is dying. But the youth is an atheist, and the mother is a fierce Protestant. So, the request does very much annoy the mother, but she finally accedes to his “dying” wish, and a Jesuit comes from 20 miles away for the visit enacted here.”

Prayer request. Please pray for the Deacon Max Munoz, alumnus who just graduated two weeks ago, who will be ordained to the priesthood. Also, please pray for the success the recording of the oblate conferences. These are primarily for novices, but I will make them available to all the oblates once they are complete. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

P.S. Reflection above from Br. Ambrose.

New Oblates with Abbot Jeremy and I

Nine new novices were enrolled on the same day as the the final oblations

Six additional novices were enrolled a few days later. This is the Treis family, and they are friends of Fr. Teresio and I

Oblate Calendar

June
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Jesse on Humility.
13-16: Oblate Study Days: Christin McIntyre – Marian Mental Health and Spiritual Warfare.
16 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict
13 – St. Benedict Festival
28 – Hispanic Oblate, final oblations.
August
11 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
13 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
3 – Simple Vows
4 – Solemn Vows
8 – Oblate Sunday: Abbot Peter on Humility.
20-22 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Ambrose. Luminous Darkness: Encountering Christ in Uncomfortable Scriptures
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
October
November
8-10 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Matthew. Listening with the Ear of Your Heart: Meditations on the Prologue of the Holy Rule.
10 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, General Overview.
December
8 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Glutton and Lust
9 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
15 – Hispanic Oblate Posada

2025
January
February
7-9 – Oblate Retreat
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Avarice, Anger, Acedia and Sadness.
March
9 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. John Paul on the 8 Evil Thoughts, On Vainglory and Pride

Notes to Oblates of Mount Angel Abbey

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – December 13, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – December 6, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – November 30, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – November 22, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – November 15, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – November 1, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – October 25, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – October 17, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – October 11, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – October 5, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – September 28, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – September 20, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – September 13, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – September 7, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – August 31, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – August 24, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – August 17, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – August 9, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – August 2, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – July 27, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – July 19, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – July 13, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – July 11, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates – July 6, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates - June 28, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates - June 22, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates - June 15, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates - June 7, 2024

A Note to Our Dear Oblates - June 1, 2024

For more information about the oblate program at Mount Angel Abbey, email oblates@mtangel.edu.