The following article appeared in the Oblate Newsletter at St. Meinrad’s. Many of the oblates here in Belmont have also wanted a simpler form of the Office to follow in their own lives. The Oblate Director here has ordered two copies to see if it might also meet the needs of the oblates here. A review will be posted as soon as possible. Recommendations will be made at the next Oblate meeting, January 17, 2010.
For more than 14 years, it has been the dream of Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB, director of Benedictine Oblates, to have an easy-to-use Liturgy of the Hours book available to oblates of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.
With assistance from the Oblate Council, he decided to publish a four-week cycle of the Liturgy of the Hours, adapted for the oblates from the monastic community’s own prayer. The dream became reality this June with the publication of Liturgy of the Hours for Benedictine Oblates.
Because oblates live and work in the secular world, they cannot be present with the monks to pray on a daily basis. However, as they are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, the new book will support the oblates in their prayer life and be a resource for filling their hearts with the love of God. The volume has an easy-to follow format, and Fr. Meinrad says he would like to see the book used in chapter meetings.
Archabbot Justin DuVall, OSB, supported the project and wrote the book’s Foreword. He noted that the book is based on the way the monks at Saint Meinrad Archabbey pray in the Archabbey Church. The book will allow oblates who pray the Liturgy of the Hours to be “in concert” with the monks.
Oblate Reactions
An oblate from the Cincinnati, OH, Chapter purchased the book and showed it to a friend who is an oblate from Florida. Her friend was so impressed with the book that she wanted a second one to bring back to the Florida chapter.
A Louisville, KY, oblate expressed great delight in having the publication available to the oblates in his chapter. At the oblate’s request, Fr. Meinrad has included in this newsletter a schedule of what week oblates should use when praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Fr. Meinrad was pleased with the many individuals involved in the creation and production of Liturgy of the Hours for Benedictine Oblates. Oblate Council member Jennie Latta chaired the committee, which was comprised of monks, oblates and communications personnel. Mary Jeanne Schumacher, John Farless and Jo Rita Bishop, of Saint Meinrad’s
Communications Office, handled the book’s production.
Monks serving on the committee were Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB, Fr. Jeremy King, OSB, Br. Jacob Grisley, OSB, Br. Karl Cothern, OSB, and Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB. Br. Karl spent the summer of 2008 organizing the psalms, readings and other text to create an electronic version for publication of the volume. The Development Office and Abbey Press also contributed to the final product.
The book can be purchased from the Oblate Office for $20 per copy, plus $5 for shipping and handling. To order, send a check for $25 payable to: Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Oblate Office, 200 Hill Drive, Saint Meinrad, IN 47577; or call (812) 357-6817. Chapter coordinators can obtain copies to sell directly to the oblates for $20.
Thomas J. Rillo, oblate Bloomington, IN
Originally published in St. Meinrad Benedictine Oblate, Fall 2009.
Communications Office, handled the book’s production.
Monks serving on the committee were Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB, Fr. Jeremy King, OSB, Br. Jacob Grisley, OSB, Br. Karl Cothern, OSB, and Fr. Meinrad Brune, OSB. Br. Karl spent the summer of 2008 organizing the psalms, readings and other text to create an electronic version for publication of the volume. The Development Office and Abbey Press also contributed to the final product.
The book can be purchased from the Oblate Office for $20 per copy, plus $5 for shipping and handling. To order, send a check for $25 payable to: Saint Meinrad Archabbey, Oblate Office, 200 Hill Drive, Saint Meinrad, IN 47577; or call (812) 357-6817. Chapter coordinators can obtain copies to sell directly to the oblates for $20.
Thomas J. Rillo, oblate Bloomington, IN
