Oblate Formation 
Posts concerning Oblate and Novice formation. These include articles which are also applicable to most Christians, whether Oblate or not. Additional articles on instruction of various parts of the Rule can be found under that category.
Doorways of the Soul
Ever stop to contemplate the importance of doors? Yes, entranceways: there are so many kinds of doors in life. There are doors that lead to stairs that go up and doors that lead to a basement and doors that open entire new vistas on a patio or that we open to enter a church. There… Read More ›
Are Your Decisions Born of Fear or Love?
Do we choose the conceited illusion of control, or do we trust in God? Recently, I spent time talking to a man who seems to exist in a permanent state of rage about everything — headlines, the Church, the pope, the presidential campaigns — and it seemed to me that the taproot of all of… Read More ›
When ‘good’ people harbor ‘bad fruits’
Around this time of year we have seen our share of gift baskets, some with fruit. Usually, such a basket has a variety: different types of fruit, perhaps apples, pears, kiwi. There are various tastes and shapes and colors. The same, by and large, is true with us: Christ said that “by their fruits you… Read More ›
Introducing Atheists to God
The philosophical proofs of Gods’ existence are a helpful first step The first battleground for any evangelizer is the question of God’s existence. There’s no sense discussing transubstantiation, the Virgin Birth or the infallibility of the pope with a committed atheist. With the rise of the “new atheists” like Oxford dons Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris… Read More ›
Christmas ‘ghosts’
Christmas is a time for some to tell stories of the supernatural, including about “ghosts.” We think most obviously of Scrooge and his apparitions. Beyond scary spirits (of Christmases past), some believe that the Blessed Mother once appeared to the very author of that tale, Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol). In the midst of his… Read More ›
Christmas Truce of 1914
It’s a story of hope for modern man; a glimmer of light in the midst of the darkness of the 20th century that suggests perhaps we won’t end up destroying ourselves after all. I’m talking about the famous Christmas Truce of 1914. You (hopefully) know the basic story: in the midst of World War I, German and… Read More ›
Just Another Christmas Homily?
I remember the election of Pope John the XXIII in 1958. In December of that year he celebrated his first Christmas Mass as pope, and it was the first time that the Church had the technology to broadcast the Christmas Mass worldwide over radio and television. Being 2000 years old, the Church is the oldest… Read More ›
Teaming With St. Joseph at Advent’s End
What is still unprepared in our hearts can be offered to the Merciful Infant We lit that last violet candle on the Advent wreath this weekend, and it didn’t give me any sense of joy that the earth is about to receive her king. Instead, it made me think that once again, this year’s Advent… Read More ›
7 Spiritual Themes to Look for in Star Wars VII
The Force Awakens can help us appreciate anew our religious heritage and the stories that guide our choices George Lucas wanted Star Wars to be a new mythology that teaches a new generation about spirituality, good and evil. He deliberately used common themes in biblical stories and various religions in his movies. Here are seven… Read More ›
The Little-Known Story of John Wayne’s Deathbed Conversion to Catholicism
Most people know of John Wayne’s incredible, five-decade-long career in Hollywood, in which he variously acted in, directed, and produced over 160 films (about half of which were Westerns), such as True Grit, The Longest Day, and The Greatest Story Ever Told. What many people do not know is the story of how Wayne converted… Read More ›