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.
Bethlehem
The little town of Bethlehem is taken from two Hebrew words which mean “House of Bread.” He Who called Himself “the Living Bread descended from Heaven” was born in the “House of Bread” and was laid in the place of food, the manger. The first temptation Christ had in the beginning of His public life… Read More ›
Isaiah: The Prophet of Christmas
More than any other, Isaiah is the prophet of Christmas. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, God… Read More ›
The Miracle that Led “Obi-Wan Kenobi” to Convert to Catholicism
Sir Alec Guinness is one of the most recognizable actors of the 20th century. While he appeared in lots of films over the years and won many awards, he best known as having played Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. What many people don’t know about him, though, is that at the age of 42 he converted to… Read More ›
Are We Praying to Avert Catastrophe or Just Waiting for It?
All prophecies — at least, the vast majority — are conditional. Perhaps one can say: all prophecies since the New Testament. For prophesied events change, it seems — or can change — because conditions change. They are fluid situations. Note some major apparitions of the Blessed Mother and her qualifications: — at Fatima: “If what… Read More ›
A nation always gets the kind of politicians it deserves
“A nation always gets the kind of politicians it deserves. If a time ever comes when the religious Jews, Protestants and Catholics ever have to suffer under a totalitarian state, which would deny to them the right worship God according to the light of their conscience, it will be because for years they thought it… Read More ›
Each of us is willed into existence with a divinely given purpose
Those who have read C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe will remember well the book’s closing sequence — a battle between the White Witch and Aslan, who, accompanied by scores of animals from all throughout Narnia, eventually defeated her and brought peace to Narnia. Organizing his troops for battle, Aslan says: And now! Those who can’t… Read More ›
Help Me Understand Attacks of the Devil
Dear Father John, I seem to be constantly tempted to, or away from, one thing or another. I would like to arm myself as much as possible against this spiritual darkness. Would you help me understand attacks of the devil? SECULAR ATHEISTS CAN develop strong willpower and natural prudence, and they can put them to… Read More ›
The Mercy of Purgatory
There is the mercy of Purgatory. For most of us that’s the first eternal stop. The Virgin once said, at an apparition site, that many go to Hell, a small number go directly to Heaven, and that the majority of people go to Purgatory. It’s the huge area between Heaven and Hell. It’s the place… Read More ›
Do Ghosts Exist?
Q: Dear Father Kerper: It seems like there is a lot of evidence that there are ghosts that haunt people’s homes. Do ghosts really exist? Thanks very much for your question about the reality of ghosts. Some people, of course, would brush it off as a silly thing to ask, but it actually leads us… Read More ›
Chief Exorcist Leaves Spiritual Testament
Father Gabriel Amorth warns against fixation on demons and recommends frequenting the sacraments as protection from Satan ROME, September 22, 2015 (ChurchMilitant.com) – Father Gabriel Amorth, chief exorcist of Rome and author of several books on Satan and exorcism, has published his spiritual testament. The 90-year-old exorcist imparts wisdom gained from decades doing battle with… Read More ›