Oblates of St. Benedict

Enter the Way of Mercy and Truth (0)

The first step for the wretched person extricating himself from the depths of vice is the mercy which makes him merciful to the son of his mother, to be merciful to his soul, and thereby pleasing to God. In this way he emulates the great work of divine pity, being moved to tears with him [...]

Prayer is Trust in God (0)

(In times of affliction) we do what every human would do, we pray that it may be taken away from us. We owe, however, at least this much in our duty to God: if He does not take it away, we must not imagine that we are forgotten by Him, but, because of our loving [...]

Parishioners have responsibility for mission of the Church (0)

Rome, Italy, Mar 7, 2010 / 11:26 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday morning, the Holy Father celebrated Mass at St. John of the Cross, a parish located in the northern part of Rome.  In his first visit to the relatively new church, Pope Benedict reminded the congregation that they are “co-responsible” for the Church and [...]

Moderation in Our Work (0)

A hunter in the desert saw Abba Antony enjoying himself with the brothers, and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brothers, the old man said to him, “Put an arrow in your bow and shoot it.” So he did. And the old man [...]

Create Your Own Lives (0)

All Christian life is meant to be at the same time profoundly contemplative and rich in active work… It is true that we are called to create a better world. But we are first of all called to a more immediate and exalted task: that of creating our own lives. In doing this, we act [...]

The Holy Spirit and Scripture (0)

Four ways the Holy Spirit helps with Scripture:

Guides us to have a correct understanding of the inspired meaning of the words of Scripture (grace of a clear mind);
We are able to read the Bible as God’s word, to us as individuals;
The Holy Spirit gives us insight into the mysteries of God which scripture reveals; and
The [...]

Oblate Breviary (1)

We have now had a chance to fully review the Oblate Breviary published by St. Meinrads. It has many good features. It follows the Rule but keeps in mind the time constraints of Oblates. It has a four week Psalter cycle and introduces chant into the Breviary. It has a simplified format that is easy [...]

How Brave Are We? (0)

Let me tell you a true, but humorous and slightly scandalous story that comes out of the early days of the church. When the father of Origen, a third century theologian, was arrested for being a Christian, Origen, then only 17, was aflame with the desire to follow his Dad and share in glorious martyrdom. [...]

It Is Darkest before the Dawn (2)

George Frederick Handel was dogged with misfortune. He had debt upon debt, despair upon despair. He had a cerebral hemorrhage and was paralyzed on his right side. For four years he could neither walk nor write. The doctors gave up on him. He wrote several operas, but again he fell in debt. At age 60 [...]

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes (0)

Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman,
Blessed by the Most High!
Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era,
We join in your song of praise,
to celebrate the Lord’s mercy,
to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom
and the full liberation of humanity.
Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord,
Glorious Mother of Christ!
Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word,
Teach us to [...]

Interview with Fr. Neilson, OSB (3)

Father Kieran Neilson, OSB
Belmont Abbey Monastery, Belmont
Place of Birth & Home Parish – Born in Charlotte, attended St. Peter Church until 1939; St. Patrick Cathedral after that during childhood High School – O’Donoghue High School, Charlotte College/University – Belmont Abbey College, Catholic University Seminary – Belmont Abbey Seminary Date of Ordination – May 26, 1960
What [...]

Resent Somebody (0)

The moment you start to resent a person you become their slave. They control your dreams, absorb your digestion, rob you of your peace of mind and good will, and take away the pleasure of your work. They ruin your spirituality and nullify your prayers. You cannot take a vacation without them going along! They [...]

Christ, the Way (0)

Benedict immediately goes on, Christo omnino nihil praeponant. Absolutely nothing is to be placed before Christ. This is the crown of it. Christ is first, center, power, and the meaning of our life—the total center. The abbot has this meaning because he is the sacrament of Christ, and we [...]

And the Greatest Is Love (1)

Saint Benedict had a sister, Scholastica, — many say his twin — who had been consecrated to God since her youth and was herself a spiritual leader.
During one of their annual visits, Scholastica, inspired by the depth of their conversation, asked Benedict — by now an abbot of some renown — to remain overnight in [...]

Prayer to be Freed of the Seven Deadly Sins (0)

O Jesus, meek Savior and Prince of Peace, implant in me the virtues of gentleness and patience. Let me curb the fury of anger and restrain all resentment and impatience so as to overcome evil with good, attain your peace, and rejoice in Your love.
O Jesus, Model of humility, divest me of all pride and [...]