Third oblate book, on Benedictine spirituality, released

subjects like “The Monastery’sExpectations of Its Oblates,” “TheValue of Oblates to a MonasticCommunity” and “Responsibilitiesof the Monastery to Its Oblates” are ofparamount importance to the successof any oblate program. The glossarygives oblates knowledge of some ofthe more common terms used withreference to Benedictine spirituality.

The book’s artwork was done by Br.Martin Erspamer, OSB, a well-knownliturgical artist and a monk of SaintMeinrad Archabbey. His creativeartwork lends beauty to the book.Benedictine Spirituality for Oblates ishighly recommended, and it may bepurchased for $20, plus $5 forshipping and handling.

Thomas J. Rillo, oblateBloomington, IN

to make it an integral part of theirspiritual and secular lives.

The book starts at the beginning ofthe Benedictine oblation process andthe affiliate monastery. The firstsection includes the life and death ofSt. Meinrad and the roots of SaintMeinrad Archabbey. The next sectiondeals with St. Benedict and his holyRule. Overviews of the basic themesinherent in the Rule are presented aswell as information about St. Benedictand his twin, St. Scholastica.

The section on what it means to be anoblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbeyspells out, step by step, what isinvolved in oblation and the processof becoming an oblate. Each step inthe process is clearly presented in adefinitive manner.

The section on Benedictine spiritualityis, understandably, the longest one.The articles were written by monksof Saint Meinrad Archabbey and a fewoblates. It is a broad cross section ofthe Rule of St. Benedict and theensuing spirituality it conveys. Thesubjects are diverse, such as “’Tis aGift to Be Simple” and “Watch Out:God’s Gifts Come with StringsAttached.”

The final section is titled “The OblateCommunity.” It is an importantsection for oblates to read because

FALL 2011

VOLUME 17:4NEWSLETTER FOR BENEDICTINE OBLATES OF SAINT MEINRAD

A new book, Benedictine Spiritualityfor Oblates, has been published underthe guidance and direction of Fr.Meinrad Brune, OSB, and withassistance from the Saint MeinradArchabbey Communications Officeand Abbey Press.

This book has been a long time in themaking. Many monks and oblates ofSaint Meinrad Archabbey contributedtime and creative writing skills to theproduction of the book.

The book serves as a guide foroblates seeking to understand whatBenedictine spirituality is and how

�“The reason we have

written this rule is that,

by observing it in

monasteries, we can show

that we have some degree

of virtue and the beginning

of monastic life.”

Chapter 73, Verses 1-2

�

FROM THE RULE:

2

Benedictine Oblate is published four timesa year by Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Editor: Mary Jeanne Schumacher

Designer: Tammy SchuetterOblate Directors: Fr. Meinrad

Brune, OSB

Fr. Joseph Cox, OSB

Send changes of address and commentsto The Editor, Development Office,Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Dr.,St. Meinrad, IN 47577, (812) 357-6817, fax (812) 357-6325 oremail oblates@saintmeinrad.eduwww.saintmeinrad.edu © 2011, Saint Meinrad Archabbey

“The reason we have written this rule is that, by observing it inmonasteries, we can show that we have some degree of virtue and

the beginning of monastic life.”

Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 73:1-2

We can see that this last chapter of the Rule is the beginning of Benedict’sepilogue. In light of Benedictine spirituality, this statement appears to lackhumility and may appear to be pompous and pedantic. This is not the case.

Benedict did not intend it to be a disclaimer. To some, it may appear to bean expression of false modesty and that we should take the Rule in a moreserious vein.

Whatever is interpreted from this statement, it cannot absolve the fact thatthe Rule is a beautiful expression of the Gospel itself. The Rule actually is adistillation of the virtues of Jesus Christ, and the monastic prefers nothingto the love of Christ.

A POINT TO PONDER FROM THE RULE

Oblate panel discusses spiritual activitiesSr. Antoinette Purcell, OSB, presidentof the North American Association ofBenedictine Oblate Directors,introduced a panel discussion as partof the organization’s conference, heldat Saint Meinrad during July.

The panel members were: from SaintMeinrad Archabbey, Maureen Grantand Albert Kovacs; from MonasteryImmaculate Conception, ElaineBaumgart and Victor Begle; from OurLady of Grace Monastery, Frank andMargie Pile.

Each panel member explained thereason for becoming an oblate andhow the formation program ofoblation helps them to practice theteaching of St. Benedict and to haverespect for all persons, living thingsand the natural world. The oblatepanel members also specified whatthey do for their church and in whatcapacity they serve, such as soupkitchens, visiting the sick and makingmission trips to other countries.

Each also explained how being anoblate has helped in achieving a morebalanced spiritual life amid a chaoticsecular world and what helps toremain faithful to vows of oblation.One departure from the normalactivities involved with oblation wasmentioned by Maureen Grant. She isa student in the master’s degreeprogram at Saint Meinrad Seminaryand School of Theology. As anassignment for a class taught by Fr.Denis Robinson, OSB, she chose todo an artistic reflection on thetheological symbolism of the floor ofthe Archabbey Church.

A hand-painted rendition of the floorand its symbolism was displayed andexplained. Being a math teacher, sheimmediately recognized the so-calledSierpinski triangle-within-triangledesign in the beautiful marble floor.She stated that the project was anopportunity to make connectionsbetween the nature of the fivegeometric elements of the pavementand the nature of God.

Pray for

Vocations

Feedback from the conferenceparticipants indicated the panel wasone of the best compared to previousNAABOD conferences and that thetheme for the panel was well selected.

Tom Rillo, oblateBloomington, IN

How you can help:•Pray for vocations

•Remember Saint Meinrad in your will

•Request information about life income gifts

For more information, contactBarbara BalkaDirector of Planned GivingSaint Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary and School of Theologydevelopment@saintmeinrad.edu(800) 682-0988www.saintmeinrad.edu

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Oblate surprised with parish award

Oblate Oliver Ogden received theSpirituality Development Award fromthe Good Shepherd Men’s Associationon April 30. He received an ovationwhen he went up to receive it fromMsgr. Thomas Smith, pastor of St.Joseph Parish in Lancaster, PA. Theaward is a glass outline of a flame,about eight inches high. He wasthanked for his unceasingcommitment to the spiritualdevelopment of his parishioners, histireless efforts to maintain perpetualadoration, and for everything else thathe does. It was a total surprise!

Sharon Ogden, oblateSilver Springs, PA

Ministry work rewarded

Mary Kathryn (Kitty) Gilles, an oblatefrom Evansville, IN, received theMother Teresa Service Award on May19 from Catholic Charities of theDiocese of Evansville. Her parish, St.Anthony Church in Evansville, highlypraised her for this prestigious award.She served on the Catholic Charitiesboard for 10 years, worked with theSt. Vincent de Paul Society, and beganthe SPRED program for special needschildren and is still its director today.She was a leader in her parish soupkitchen and served in a total of 30ministries in her parish since 1951.

Ohio oblates hold day of recollection

The Cincinnati Chapter hosted theOhio oblates for a day of recollectionat the Milford Spiritual Center onMay 21. Br. Zachary Wilberding,OSB, gave two conferences on theLiturgy of the Hours. Also, the groupenjoyed a meal together; prayedMorning Prayer, Midday Prayer andVespers; and finished by attendingMass together.

The spring day reflected therejuvenation provided by Br. Zacharyto root the Liturgy of the Hours moredeeply in our lives. Personal examples

and sharing aided the participants inconsidering the beauty of the Psalmsand the need to remain faithful toincorporating prayer in our dailypersonal lives.

As St. Athanasius writes in hisinterpretation of the Psalms, “In thePsalms, just as in a mirror, themovements of our own souls arereflected. The words are our very own,given us to serve both as a reminderof our changes of condition and as apattern and model for the amendmentof our lives.”

Susan Anderson, oblateCincinnati, OH

Study Days offer closer look at Rule

The Oblate Study Days were heldJune 13-16, with 43 oblatesparticipating. The topic of “A CloserLook at the Holy Rule” was led by Fr.Harry Hagan, OSB.

Fr. Harry explained that the Rule cametogether in a complex way over a longtime. Essentially, there were two bigrivers of monasticism: 1) the way ofAnthony the Great, a hermit wholived in the desert and confronted thedevil there, and 2) the way ofPachomius, an atheist who became aChristian and went to the desert, butwas then called to a place where thepeople came to him. He became acenobite, one who lives a common life.

Obviously, living with people demandsa common understanding of how tolive and, because of this, differentrules began to be written, includingthe Rule of the Master and the Rule ofSt. Benedict. According to Fr. Harry,Benedict may have been familiar withthe Rule of the Master and may haveused it as the basis for his own rule.

As Fr. Harry explained, the Rule of St.Benedict is not the answer. Rather, it isa number of things held in tension,

OBLATE NEWS and those who follow the Rule arecalled to see that tension.

In studying the Rule, one of the mainquestions throughout the centuries hasbeen “what is the mother of virtue?”In other words, what virtue is, orshould be, the most prominent inone’s life? Fr. Harry took a closer lookat the virtues named by ThomasAquinas: temperance, prudence(discretion), love and humility.

In the quest to put nothing beforeChrist, a life balancing all of thesevirtues brings one closer to God; andthe Rule of St. Benedict is a guide forthose who choose to follow itsinstruction. It is essential, explainedFr. Harry, that one embrace the realityof the Cross, basing one’s life inChrist’s love, being obedient to thebest part of oneself and then focusingoutward to God’s creation.

Fr. Harry also referred to the Latinversion of the Rule, explaining that thetranslation to the vernacular oftendilutes Benedict’s intended meaning.The original text allows a muchbroader understanding of whatBenedict calls each to do. This broaderunderstanding makes the Rule moreexciting and meaningful.

For those interested in further reading,Fr. Harry recommended several books:Reading Saint Benedict: Reflections onthe Rule by Adalbert de Vogue; TheRule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the21st Century by Joan Chittister;Reading to Live: Evolving Practice ofLectio Divina by Raymond Studzinski;and Tradition of Catholic Prayer bySaint Meinrad Monks.

Catherine Byers, oblateNineveh, IN

A faith-filled day of recollection

On the day of recollection for oblates,held at Saint Meinrad on July 11,

see Oblate News, p. 4

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Fr. Noël Mueller, OSB, presented talkson “Serving under an Abbot and aRule: A Servant-Leadership Readingof the Rule of St. Benedict.”

The reasons for choosing the retreatwere based on the reputation of thepresenter, the topic and the time ofyear. The participants liked the retreatformat, including time for thesacraments of the anointing of the sickand reconciliation. The focus on theabbot and understanding hisrelationship to the monasticcommunity was especially appreciated.

The servant leadership quality of theRule and the history of the Rule andmonasticism were very informative.Another highlight was the opportunityto pray with the monks at noonprayer and Vespers. The participantsenjoyed the hospitality extended tothem, as well as the opportunity toshare experiences during informalgatherings such as meals and free time.The retreat received high evaluationsand was considered a success.

Fr. Meinrad celebrates golden jubilee

On July 17, Oblate Director Fr.Meinrad Brune, OSB, celebrated ajubilee Mass at Good ShepherdChurch in Indianapoliscommemorating 50 years as a priest.

Originally, Good Shepherd Churchwas two churches: St. Catherine ofSiena Church (Fr. Meinrad’s homeparish) and St. James the GreatChurch. Concelebrating the Masswere seven Benedictine priests andnine diocesan priests. Archabbot JustinDuVall, OSB, and former ArchabbotBonaventure Knaebel, OSB, wereamong the concelebrants.

About 240 relatives, friends andoblates of Saint Meinrad Archabbeyattended the celebration. After Mass,a buffet luncheon was held in theparish gymnasium.

Fr. Meinrad, in looking back over 50years as a priest and a monk, assessedthat he had a calling to be both amonk and a priest. Abbot IgnatiusEsser suggested that Fr. Meinrad,while he was in the seminary, consider

both vocations. It was a single, viablevocation for Fr. Meinrad that had itsinherent tensions.

He spent 25 years within the monasticcommunity in various teachingassignments and then, in 1997, hebegan a pastoral ministry. He said hegained a deeper appreciation of beinga monk as he interacted with the laity,who had more complex problems thanthose of a monk living in a monasticcommunity. Father stated that we areall called to the priesthood of Christby virtue of baptism.

From the day of his ordination to thejubilee celebration, Fr. Meinrad hascelebrated 20,395 Masses at 909different places throughout the UnitedStates and the world. He concludedthe celebration with these words: “Ithank God but words of gratitude toother people cannot be separated. It isnot enough to say thank you to God,unless we live lives of thank you toothers.”

Thomas J. Rillo, oblateBloomington, IN

Organ recital in Archabbey Church

In conjunction with Fr. ColumbaKelly’s retreat, “Bringing to Life theWord of God in Song,” held August1-12 at Saint Meinrad, an organrecital was presented in the ArchabbeyChurch on Sunday, August 7.

The organists were retreat participantsGeorge Hubbard of Charleston,Michael David of Chicago and NewYork Chapter oblate RaymondHenderson. The music representedworks of 20th-century composerswhose music was based on or inspiredby Gregorian chant.

INVESTITURES & OBLATIONS

April 25, 2011, Investiture—Mrs.Katherine Guthrie and Mr. RossGuthrie of Jackson, TN.

May 14, 2011, Investiture—Mr. PeterManninen of Brownsburg, IN.

Oblate News from p. 3

Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB, celebrates his 50th jubilee of priesthood ordination at hishome parish in Indianapolis, IN, on July 17, 2011. From left are Rev. GeraldKirkhoff, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish; Rt. Rev. Justin DuVall, OSB, archabbot ofSaint Meinrad Archabbey; Fr. Meinrad and Rt. Rev. Bonaventure Knaebel, OSB,resigned archabbot of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

5

May 14, 2011, Oblation—Ms.Gerardine Helena Waggle ofIndianapolis, IN.

May 16, 2011, Oblation—Mr. StevenBenedict Theodore Perez of WestPalm Beach, FL, and Ms. Judith AnnGertrude Umlauf of Hot Springs,NC.

May 18, 2011, Oblation—Mrs.Elizabeth Maurus Jones and DeaconWalton Solanus Jones of Louisville,KY, and Mr. Edward Thomas PeterPenton of Ottawa, Canada.

May 20, 2011, Investiture—Mrs.Donna Hardy and Mr. P. CurtisHardy of Pittsboro, NC.

May 21, 2011, Investiture—Mr. NickDelleCave of Cincinnati, OH; Mr.Bernard Kenney of Georgetown, OH;and Mr. Charles Roth of PortWashington, NY.

May 22, 2011, Investiture—Mr.Robert Hartenstein of Fort Wayne,IN.

June 2, 2011, Investiture—Mrs.Debra Ordner of Newburgh, IN.

June 8, 2011, Investiture—ColonelStephen Russell of Colbert, WA.

June 18, 2011, Investiture—Ms.Christine Vincent of North Vernon,IN.

June 15, 2011, Oblation—Dr. GeraldJames Altstadt and Mrs. Lora AnneAltstadt of Huntingburg, IN; Mr.Stephen Thomas More Drees ofMason, OH; Mrs. Margaret JuliannaSherlock of West Chester, OH; andRobert Anthony Placidus Siebenallerof Toledo, OH.

June 24, 2011, Oblation—Mr. JamesLee John of the Cross Essner and Mrs.Sharon Marie Scholastica Essner ofCape Girardeau, MO; and Mr. JamesJohn Schmitt of Albion, IN.

June 29, 2011, Oblation—Rev. BruceBecket Jacobson of Groveland, MA.

July 1, 2011, Investiture—Mr. DavidBohnenstiehl of Collinsville, IL.

July 11, 2011, Investiture—MissSarah Longoria of Bartlett, TN.

July 11, 2011, Oblation—Mr. DavidAnselm Bartolowits of Indianapolis,IN.

July 24, 2011, Oblation—Mr. SamuelJoseph Eversman of St. Louis, MO.

July 25, 2011, Investiture—Rev.Deborah Apoldo of Harrods Creek,KY.

July 26, 2011, Oblation—Mr. DavidGregory Annable of Monroe, OH.

July 30, 2011, Investiture—MissKaitie Castagna and Miss AmandaOlmsted, both of Newport News, VA.

August 6, 2011, Investiture—Ms.Carol Hugenberg of Florence, OR.

August 9, 2011, Investiture—Mr.Duane Carver of New Castle, IN.

August 13, 2011, Oblation—Ms. AnnMacrina Smith of Gahanna, OH.

August 3, 2011, Transfer ofOblation—From Conception Abbeyin Conception, MO, to Saint MeinradArchabbey—Ms. Vicki Burns, MissShannon Burns and Mr. DakotahBurns, all of Louisville, KY. ◆

DEATHS

Mr. Charles Riebe of Dublin, OH,died May 8, 2011.

Mr. Bernard Seger of Indianapolis,IN, died May 11, 2011.

Dr. Ronald Anjard of San Diego,CA, died May 11, 2011.

Mrs. Lucille Baurley of NorthVernon, IN, died July 31, 2007. Werecently received notice of her death.

Mrs. Elsa Parker of Cincinnati, OH,died May 21, 2011.

Ms. Mona Rinear of Martinsville, IN,died July 5, 2011.

Mrs. Mary Jo Jarboe of Tell City, IN,died August 23, 2011. ◆

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 27, 2011—The day ofrecollection for New York oblates willfeature Fr. Brendan Moss, OSB, as the

presenter of “Following the Path thatLeads to Life!”

December 9-11, 2011—The OblateRetreat at Saint Meinrad Archabbey isexpected to have Archabbot JustinDuVall, OSB, as the presenter of“Under a Rule and an Abbot: TheHuman Face of Monastic Life.”

March 20-22, 2012—The Marchretreat for oblates will be presented byFr. Timothy Sweeney, OSB. The titleis: “Come Away by Yourselves to aDeserted Place and Rest Awhile,”based on Mark 6:31.

April 21, 2012—The Louisville, KY,oblates will welcome Br. John MarkFalkenhain, OSB, presenting threeconferences centered on the Rule of St.Benedict.

April 29-May 8, 2012—A 10-dayBenedictine pilgrimage to theCanadian Rockies by train will includeBritish Columbia, Westminster AbbeyTour, Columbia Icefields, Lake Louise,Banff, Calgary and Vancouver. Br.Maurus Zoeller, OSB, is hosting thistrip, and Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB,oblate director, will be the chaplain.The cost is $2,844 plus airfare.Contact Br. Maurus at 100 Hill Drive,St. Meinrad, IN 47577; (812) 357-6674 or mzoeller@saintmeinrad.edufor a brochure.

May 19, 2012—The Ohio(Columbus) Day of Recollection willbe held at the Shrine of the LittleFlower in Columbus with Fr. MeinradBrune, OSB, presenting “Rule ofBenedict Offers Peace in the Midst ofSuffering.”

June 11-14, 2012—Oblate StudyDays will have the theme of sacraments(church). One of the duties of anoblate is to stay close to the sacraments.(Protestant oblates should remainclose to their faith tradition.) Fr. PriorKurt Stasiak, OSB, will present “TheSacraments: Means of Grace, Ways ofLife.” ◆

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Kyle Kramer speaks at the OblateDirectors Conference. See moreconference photos on page 11.

Saint Meinrad hosts conference of oblate directorsThree lectures about land stewardshipand sustainability and how they relateto Benedictine spirituality werepresented during the conference ofthe North American Association ofBenedictine Oblate Directors, held atSaint Meinrad Archabbey July 1-6.The conference theme was“Embracing Creation with Reverenceand Hospitality: Listening to theScripture and the Rule Speak.”

Sr. Kathryn Huber, OSB, a memberof the spiritual ministry team atMonastery Immaculate Conception,Ferdinand, IN, pointed out that,using adult education learning theory,“each of us knows about the topicfrom our experiences,” and thatpersonal experiences have shaped ourunderstanding of the issue.

She related her childhood experiencesand her understanding of theinterrelationship of nature and God.Sr. Kathryn was brought up on a fruitand vegetable truck farm. The wholefamily contributed to, and received,from this farm. Nature was sacred,because the family lived close to it.

The laws that govern life on earth arethe basis of the whole universe, shesaid. “All matter in the universe isinterconnected, and we are all part ofa vast web. God is present in theuniverse and in energy, and the twomost important forms of energy arelight and thought.”

Christian and Benedictine tradition,as well as Scripture, mystics and theRule of St. Benedict, abound withreferences to nature. Scripturesuggests that all created life is a gift.This is found in Genesis and in Psalm104, in particular. References to theseasons, sowing and harvesting canbe found in these and many otherbiblical readings.

Benedictine spirituality is the intenseand intentional living of Christian

spirituality. The Rule is the basis ofthis spirituality. Sr. Kathryn noted,“A casual read of the Rule does notdiscuss stewardship of nature or theenvironment.” However, stewardshipis woven throughout the Rule.

Reverence for creation and the cycleof seasons permeates the work. TheRule suggests that all resources, such asgarden tools, must be wisely used inmonastic work. A good cellarer, asdiscussed in the Rule, is an example ofstewardship of resources. Since all lifeis interconnected, we must becomestewards of the land and our resources.

Kyle Kramer also spoke during theconference. He is the director of theLay Degree Program at Saint MeinradSeminary and School of Theology. Healso lives on and maintains a smallorganic or “green farm” and has a foot in both the world of Benedictinespirituality and farming. He is theauthor of A Time to Plant: Lessons ofWork, Prayer and Dirt.

Kramer pointed out that sustainabilityand spirituality are interrelated. Theycomprise “a way of living that enableslife for all creatures now and in thefuture.” Four aspects of sustainabilityare:

Renewable – materials can be renewed and recycled.

Regenerativity – the earth changes, improves and repairs itself.

Resilience – when disasters happen, a sustainable ecosystem will bounce back.

Community – an ecosystem that is sustainable is a living system of many parts, each affecting the others.

Also, six key themes from Benedictinespirituality show the interrelationshipof sustainability and spirituality.Benedictines make a vow of stability tostay in one monastic community for a

lifetime. We can make a commitmentto stay in one place and to improveour land.

The vow of obedience is putting acommunity’s needs first and thenmaking responsible lifestyle choices.The vow of poverty does not mean notowning anything. “Our land is reallynot our land; it is on loan to us... wemust deliver it in better condition tothe next generation.”

We need to have a balance betweencontemplation and action. Hospitalityis welcoming nature and people intoour homes. Conversion takes the longview. It takes a long time to changethings, both in society and on theearth.

Benedictine communities can becomean “ark,” which can preserve what weare forgetting as a society. Benedictinecommunities did this after the fall ofthe Roman Empire. However, “thedoors would be open, not closed, andinviting, and the ideas would beshared to include the interrelationshipof sustainability, spirituality andhospitality.”

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Sr. Sheila Marie Fitzpatrick, OSB,director of facilities for Benedict InnRetreat and Conference Center and amember of Our Lady of GraceMonastery in Beech Grove, IN, wasthe third conference speaker.

She pointed out that we have an“intimate relationship with creation –we eat, breathe and exist – we arecreation. We influence, and areinfluenced by, creation, and ouractions can affect the whole planet.”We influence creation by managinggrounds and properties to bringbeauty to the world. We also influencenature and creation in ways by whichwe are not aware, such as adisturbance in the earth’s magneticfield on 9/11.

Creation and nature themes are foundfrom antiquity. The ancient Hebrewslived close to the earth. Theyrespected the power of creation andthe power of God’s work in creation.This is found in Psalms 38, 104, Bookof Job, the story of Noah, the Canticleof Daniel and other writings. Jesusalso used parables with nature themes.

Environmentalist Rene Dubos notedthat St. Benedict “managed the landin a way to sustain their livelihood,yet had an ethical approach tocreation.” Hildegard of Bingen said,“We are dressed in the scaffold ofcreation, in seeing to recognize theworld; in hearing to understand; insmelling to discern; in tasting tonurture; in touching to govern.”

We must use the senses God has givenus to co-create with the world. In thisway, “humankind comes to knowGod, for God is the author of allcreation.” We need to begin with ourrelationship with God and live out ofour Benedictine values. It is what weare called to as Christians and asBenedictines. “We can begin ouraction for creation with acontemplative heart.”

New card features lectio divinaIf you’d like a card that describes amethod of lectio divina, it is availablefrom the Oblate Office. It features acolor photo of the “Christ in Glory”painting from the Saint MeinradArchabbey Church. On the oppositeside is a brief “Way of Doing LectioDivina.”

If you would like a lectio divina card,write Office of Benedictine Oblates,200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN47577. Or, call (812) 357-6817 oremail oblates@saintmeinrad.edu

Oblate Councilreviews conferenceThe Oblate Council met at SaintMeinrad on July 6, following the closeof the biennial meeting of the NorthAmerican Association of BenedictineOblate Directors to reflect on theirexperiences over the past week.Council members were joined bymembers of the Finance Committeeand other volunteers who had playedan important part in the success of theNAABOD meeting.

After congratulating the volunteers onthe outstanding level of hospitalityshown to the directors and delegates,Oblate Director Fr. Meinrad Brune,OSB, led the discussion about theconference. The responses of thevolunteers were overwhelminglypositive. The conference provided aunique opportunity for the membersof the Oblate Council and FinanceCommittee to live and work togetherfor an extended period. Manycommented on the sense ofcommunity that quickly developedand the joy that came from workingtoward a common purpose.

One of the most difficult tasks of theweek was the Sunday afternoonexchange of the NAABOD participantswith the prioresses and delegates tothe meeting of the Federation of St.Gertrude at Monastery ImmaculateConception in Ferdinand. Councilmember Mike Reffett, the volunteercoordinator for the NAABODconference, worked with hiscounterpart at Ferdinand, and theexchange went off with hardly a hitch(except for an unexpected rain shower).

Saint Meinrad hosted a banquet forthe prioresses in the Anselm DiningRoom, while the NAABOD delegateswere provided a tour and dinner bythe Ferdinand community.

A highlight of the week was theopening of the workshops of BrothersMartin, John Mark, Kim and Flavianto the directors and delegates. This,too, required fine coordination oftransportation, but allowed a numberof volunteers their first peeks insidethe various shops. Another highlightfor some was the opportunity to jointhe conference delegates in worship,topped with an outdoor experience ofliturgical reading and movement ledby Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB.

Jennie D. Latta, oblateMemphis, TN

Each speaker offered concrete actionswe could undertake for sustainabilityand stewardship of nature and theirinterrelationship with spiritualitybased upon the Rule – in other words,becoming good cellarers of the world.

These actions included recyclingwaste, turning lights off when a roomis not in use, opening windows forventilation and to let nature in, raingardens, permeable pavement, refrain-ing from using disposable and plasticitems, if physically able using the stairsrather than taking the elevator, planting trees and crops that fit thelocal environment, planting a backyard/urban garden and other initiatives.

Ruth Clifford Engs, oblateBloomington, IN

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Sharing the wealth—About our chaptersEvansville Chapter

Note: Dr. Ruth Clifford Engs, an oblatefrom Bloomington, IN, searched theoblate archives for materials concerningthe Evansville Chapter. They are composed of bits and pieces of meetingminutes, news clippings, correspondence,and lists of oblates paying dues orattending a variety of meetings andretreats. Most of this material is from the 1940s and 1950s. Later materialwas gathered from the newsletter and the oral history of some of the Evansvillemembers. Because the records were notalways kept at the Oblate Office or bythe chapter, the history of the EvansvilleChapter is sparse.

Saint Meinrad Abbot Ignatius Esser,OSB, founded the Evansville Chapterin 1936. The chapter was the first oneto serve laity who wished to be a partof Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Anearlier oblate chapter at the abbey wasfor seminarians only.

1940s-1950s: Abbot Ignatius mayhave established a group for marriedcouples to attract more men to theoblate program. A list of membersshows that most of the oblates werewomen, and men may have feltuncomfortable attending thesemeetings. Alternatively, perhapsyounger individuals felt a need for aseparate group that would morereflect their interests.

As membership grew, Abbot Ignatiusestablished a separate group for marriedcouples only in 1941. This group wasa subgroup of the Evansville Chapter.The records show that there was amarried and single group and also a“young” and “mature” group. Therecords of that period often list thesame member in both groups. Smallgroup meetings for just married couples

were still ongoing in the early 1960s. During the early years, primarily theWorld War II years, chapter meetingswere held all year with the exceptionof months with days of recollectionand retreats. During the WWII years,no mention of the war or even prayersfor the fighting troops was made inthe chapter meeting minutes. Afterthe war ended, Fr. Alfred Baltz, OSB,in 1946, related his experience atMonte Cassino during the Allieddestruction of that monastery.

The earliest Oblate Newsletter beganin June 1942, and from thesenewsletters, some information aboutthe Evansville Chapter is found.

In 1943, Fr. Walter Sullivan, OSB, thenew oblate director, reorganized theEvansville Chapter. Meetings becamemore formalized and structured. Fr.Walter appointed officers to serve oneyear; some served for many. Theofficers were as follows:

Spiritual Director, Fr. Walter – moderator of parish group

President, Mrs. Cecilia Ruder – presides at meetings not held in church

Vice-President, Mrs. Emma Schoenbechler – keeps the register of oblates and dates of investiture and oblation

Secretary, Miss Genevieve Closter – keeps minutes of each meeting and addresses up to date; she keptdetailed minutes through February 1946.

Treasurer, Miss M. Ubelhor – in charge of oblate funds; makes sure that at each meeting the “secret bag” is passed to each one for donation toward the Mass fund for deceased members.

The meeting minutes of January 26,1944, show that the meeting was heldat the rectory. Fr. Walter and 19members were present. The office ofCompline was recited. One womanwas invested by Fr. Walter. The total

amount in the treasury was $8.99. ByDecember 1949, the Evansville oblateswere meeting at St. Benedict’s Church,the last Tuesday of the month, exceptJune, July and August.

In 1945, 26 active oblates were on theroll. However, only one man was listedas a member. In February 1959, 42people attended the chapter meetingand still only three were men.

On December 4, 1947, Fr. Walterconducted the first oblate meeting foryoung married couples, with sevencouples attending, for a discussion ofoblate principles in family life. It washeld at the home of Ray Wargel.

On June 2, 1950, young marriedcouples who had formed a new Canachapter in Evansville came to SaintMeinrad for the day. Under Fr. Walter’sleadership, the number of oblatesincreased. During December 1957, 57oblates from the Evansville area held aday of recollection at St. Mary’sHospital.

1960s-1970s: In April 1964, 228oblates were listed for the EvansvilleChapter; most were women. This listincluded 23 couples or 46 individualswho also belonged to the couples smallgroup meeting. However, it was likelymost of the 228 people on the list werenot active, and minutes appear toindicate that few attended chaptermeetings. The roll call on Nov. 7,1976, reported that 14 attended.

In 1979, Rosemary Davis becamecoordinator of the chapter. KeadaGrisham was in correspondence withthe oblate directors for a number ofyears up to the time Davis becamecoordinator. The newsletter oftenannounced the Requiem Masses saidfor oblates. One example was forBeulah O. Edwards, on October 24,1979. This oblate died at age 87 andbore 20 children!

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1980s-1990s: Little information onthe chapter is found for the 1980s.However, for the 1981 oblate retreaton March 19-22, 17 people fromEvansville attended.

In the spring of 1996, Fr. MeinradBrune, OSB, became the new oblatedirector. In the summer of 1998,oblates Jack and Mary Goedertattended the first Coordinators andRepresentatives meeting. They workedon the mission statement for oblatechapters. In October 1999, they, alongwith Maurice and Norine Keller,became the new chapter co-coordinatorsfollowing Rosemary Davis, who hadbeen coordinator since 1979.

2000s-2010s: On May 16, 2006,co-coordinators Mary and JackGoedert resigned. Norene and MauryKeller continued as the chaptercoordinators, and Deacon Mike Burnsbecame a co-coordinator in October2006. In December 2009, Mike andMichelle Reffett becameco-coordinators along with DeaconMike and the Kellers.

In 2010, the chapter started havingmeetings in March for those who did not attend the oblate retreats atSaint Meinrad. They were led byMichelle Reffett and Deacon MikeBurns. The meeting included Vespers,discussion about a video presentationand, of course, food and fellowship.In 2010 the average attendance wasabout 20. The group now had anequal number of men and women.

In May 2010, Maurice and NorineKeller, who had been co-coordinatorssince 1992, resigned. Mike andMichelle Reffett continued along withDeacon Mike Burns. Burns moved toIndianapolis in the spring of 2011 andresigned his position as co-coordinator.

Currently, one of the many highpoints of this chapter is the annualEpiphany Party, which began about2006. Fellowship, prayer, music and

great food made this one of the betterattended meetings of the year.

Deacon Michael Burns, oblateMount Vernon, IN

Faithful Witnesses Note: This new series will focus on thelives and virtues of saints and blessedfrom our Benedictine tradition. Maythese reflections on these “good andfaithful servants” who have livedunder the wisdom of St. Benedict’s“little rule for beginners” inspire youin your own search for God andservice to the Church.

Br. Silas Henderson, OSB

St. Hildegarde of Bingen

Feast: September 17

By the standards of any age,Hildegarde of Bingen was a remarkableperson. Her accomplishments andinfluence, particularly as a medievalwoman, were extraordinary. And yet,with all her giftedness, Hildegardesimply described herself as being “afeather on the breath of God.”

Born to a noble family in 1098 atBermersheim, Germany, she was onlya child when her parents entrusted herto Blessed Jutta, a recluse who lived ina small cottage attached to the churchof the Abbey of Disibodenberg. Intime, Jutta formed a new community,adopting the Rule of St. Benedict.Following Jutta’s death in 1136,Hildegarde was elected to succeed herteacher as abbess.

As a young woman, Hildegarde hadbegun to receive private revelations inthe form of visions and she kept arecord of her mystical experiences.Her theological writings, especially theScivias, included original insights intothe love of Christ, the Kingdom ofGod, and heaven and hell. Hildegardealso wrote on themes as varied asmedicine, astronomy, geology andmusic.

In addition to her many letters, she isespecially celebrated for her originalmusical compositions and her uniquepoetry, much of which were used inher monastery’s liturgies.

Around 1150, Hildegarde and hernuns established a new monastery atBingen. She continued to share hermystical experiences and she counseledand challenged the rich and powerfulof her day. Honored by kings, popesand paupers, Hildegarde died in hermonastery in 1179.

True to her Benedictine vocation, thiswoman who has been called the“Sibyll of the Rhine” understood thatthe obedience she offered to God, thesource of her wisdom and faith, wasthe most perfect sign of her love forGod.

As St. Benedict says, “such people asthese immediately put aside their ownconcerns, abandon their own will… itis love that impels them to pursueeverlasting life” (RB 5:7, 10). Sherecognized that whatever good she wasable to do was only the result of acultivated, dynamic relationship withthe “Living Light,” her name for God.

May the obedience of St. Hildegarde,rooted in obedience, continue toinspire us to seek those things that aremost pleasing to God and of greatestservice to our families and our church.

Reflection Questions

How do you show gratitude for themany gifts and talents God has givento you?

How could you better listen for the voiceof the Lord calling to you in yourday-to-day life?

CHECK THE WEBSITEPast issues of the Benedictine Oblatenewsletter are available at www.saintmeinrad.edu/benedictineoblate ◆

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OBLATES: IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“An oblate is a Christian manor woman who is interested ingrowing in their spiritual life

and willing to commit to a wayof life according to the Rule of

St. Benedict. Following the Rulehas increased my organization

of my prayer life. I have becomemore aware of opportunitiesto participate as a member of

community. If someone isinterested in growing spirituallyand is willing to commit to theRule of St. Benedict, they willfind encouragement and food

for the journey.”Oblate Jessi McCurdyMt. Gretna, PA

Conferenceparticipants tourFerdinand monasteryThe 82 participants in the NorthAmerican Association of BenedictineOblate Directors conference boardedtwo school buses for a five-mile tripto Ferdinand, IN. The purpose wasto tour the Benedictine women’smonastery, Monastery ImmaculateConception.

Upon arrival, the group entered thebeautifully renovated monasterychurch, where they prayed the Liturgyof the Hours with the sisters. Afterprayer, the group moved to themonastery dining hall for a wonderfulchicken dinner served country-style.A sister from the monastery wasassigned to each table.

After dinner, the group was dividedinto smaller groups and a sister wasassigned to lead each group on a tour.The tour included a history of thecommunity and of the foundingsisters who dedicated their lives tothe building of the monastery.

The visit ended with a trip to themonastery gift shop. The groupreturned to Saint Meinrad Archabbeyappreciative of the generous hospitalitythat the Sisters of St. Benedictextended to them.

Thomas J. Rillo, oblateBloomington, IN

VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED

Volunteers from Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Monastery Immaculate Conception inFerdinand, IN, Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN, and St.Walburg Monastery in Covington, KY, worked together to make the meeting ofthe North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors a great exampleof Benedictine hospitality. The volunteers carried luggage, showed participants totheir rooms, served refreshments and meals, handled book sales and performedhundreds of other duties for the guests who came for the meeting. Oblate MikeReffett from Saint Meinrad organized the volunteers. Much gratitude is extendedto all the volunteers who made the conference run smoothly. ◆

Oblate directors and oblates visit MonasteryImmaculate Conception, Ferdinand, IN.

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Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB, and Sr. Kathryn Huber, OSB, of Ferdinand, IN, (right) participate in a discussion with one of the oblates who attended the conference.

Saint Meinrad hosts oblate directors conference

Oblate directors from 31 Benedictine monasteriesfrom throughout the United States and Canada posefor a conference photo on the Archabbey Church steps.

Archabbot Justin DuVall, OSB, welcomes theoblate directors and oblates at the opening sessionin the Guest House Chapel.

The oblate directors and oblate representatives who attended the North AmericanAssociation of Benedictine Oblate Directors meeting from July 1-6 gather for a groupphoto. There were 82 who participated in the meeting.

Br. Maurus Zoeller, OSB, gives a tour of the Chapter Room to the meeting participants.Various discussion groups of directors and oblatesconversed in the Guest House Dining Room.

Kathleen Norris’ best-sellers, like Cloister Walk, haveintroduced millions to monastic spirituality and oblatelife by demonstrating their relevance to our times. Herlatest book, Acedia and Me, continues that tradition in aconfessional style that reads like St. Augustine orThomas Merton.

Acedia and Me recounts with touching openness Norris’life as poet, oblate and wife to fellow poet David Dwyerand tells of her struggles with acedia, a conditiondescribed in detail by the fathers of the desert. St.Benedict knew acedia well and warned of its dangers.

What is acedia? Dictionary definitions—“restlessness andinability to work or to pray” or “idleness”—don’t beginto exhaust its meaning. The desert fathers called it “thenoonday demon” and feared it as the most harmful of“eight bad thoughts.” Over time, acedia was combinedwith sloth as one of the seven deadly sins and almostforgotten.

Norris even sees acedia at work in the boredom, ennuiand despair that have “inspired” artists and intellectuals

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from the romantic era to the present. But acedia isneither muse nor mere sloth; Thomas Aquinas defines itas “the wanton, willful self-distressing that numbs alllove” and that makes it impossible “to rest in God.”

It’s also described as “a voice claiming God has no mercyand no love for (us).” In surrendering to acedia, webecome detached spectators of life and wallow inlistlessness or frantic activity to avoid the demands of love.

Fortunately, Norris throws us a lifeline. She, like thedesert fathers and the holy Rule, asserts that the antidoteto acedia is stability and obedience. St. Benedict warnsthat “idleness is the enemy of the soul” and calls forobedience to “bring you back to Him from whom youhad drifted through the sloth (read, acedia) ofdisobedience.” For oblates, this means continuousresponse to God’s call in the routines of life and the dailyround of prayer and work that characterize Benedictinespirituality.

John Swales III, oblateParkersburg, WV

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