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.
The Devil is Real
Is the devil real? Here is Msgr. Ronald Knox on that: “It is stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil, when he is the only explanation of it.” Monsignor Knox, eminent British convert, author, retreat master and translator of the Bible, may have been indulging in irony. But irony doesn’t… Read More ›
The Necessity of Contemplative Monasticism for the New Evangelization
When we discuss the “New Evangelization,” we tend to think of the many active ways in which the Church seeks to engage the world and to share the Gospel with it. From large-scale special events such as World Youth Day and the recently completed Year of Faith; to the everyday work at the diocesan and… Read More ›
Holy Fear
Catholic Exchange. April 18, 2015: We find in the writings of the great mystics, especially of those who have been recognized as “Doctor of the Church,” a certain unanimous consent concerning the importance of holy fear if we are to grow in our life of prayer. They have a sense that it is a fearful… Read More ›
12 Steps to avoid Purgatory
1. In every prayer you say, every Mass you hear, every Communion you receive, every good work you perform have the express intention of imploring God to grant you a holy and happy death and no Purgatory. Surely God will hear a prayer said with such confidence and perseverance. 2. Always wish to do God’s… Read More ›
150 Anniversary of the passing of Abraham Lincoln
Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell. Abraham Lincoln Farewell Address on February… Read More ›
Here Is ‘How Dante Can Save Your Life’
How Dante is the culmination of a journey I took in public, on this blog, and in private. It is a sequel, or sorts, to The Little Way of Ruthie Leming, but you don’t have to have read Little Way to get into How Dante. And if you did read Little Way, you’ll want to read… Read More ›
The Delusions Which the Devil Suggests to Sinners
Let us imagine a young man who has fallen into grievous sins, which he has already confessed, and who is restored to the friendship of God. The devil again tempts him to relapse; the young man resists for a while, but in consequence of the delusions suggested by the enemy, he begins to vacillate. “Tell… Read More ›
Grab a Rosary and Beat Acedia
How to beat the spiritual disease of ‘acedia’: grab a rosary and go for a walk Acedia was first identified by [John Cassian] – perils to the soul haven’t changed much over the centuries. We know that Pope Francis talks about “the peripheries” a lot in his homilies. I took this to mean those on the margins of… Read More ›
Narcissism Kills—A Lesson From the Germanwings Plane Crash Tragedy
A burning question in the minds of millions of people is why Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed a jetliner into the Alps killing himself and 149 innocent passengers. Early reports indicate that he was struggling with depression about his career lead many people to erroneously conclude that this illness caused his actions. Severe depression and hopelessness… Read More ›
What Are The Sources of Sin?
What are the sources of temptation? Briefly stated, they are the world, the flesh, and the devil. I will describe each of these more specifically below. We can begin by noting that God is not a source of temptation despite what many conclude from the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer, lead us not into temptation… Read More ›