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.
Getting rid of Idols
What idols are in your life? Do you recognize them all? Here, we can all use an “illumination.” For idols are many — and very sneaky, as well as entrenched: seemingly normal. Very often, we justify them. There are idols of self: ego, vanity, selfishness. (Do you put your interests above those of others — in ways large… Read More ›
The Baptism of the Lord
Christ is bathed in light; let us also be bathed in light. Christ is baptised; let us also go down with him, and rise with him. John is baptising when Jesus draws near. Perhaps he comes to sanctify his baptiser; certainly he comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the… Read More ›
Our elders are lonely – do we care?
Denver, Colo., Dec 26, 2017 / 09:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- It was August in Rome, the dog days of summer, and most people had left the Eternal City for the beach or another summer holiday destination. It happens every year, essentially slowing the city to a crawl for a good two weeks or more. It… Read More ›
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
. . . [B]y learning from Mary, we can understand with our hearts what our eyes and minds do not manage to perceive or contain on their own. Indeed, this is such a great gift that only through faith are we granted to accept it, while not entirely understanding it. And it is precisely on… Read More ›
Feast of the Holy Family
Today is Holy Family Sunday. We can still identify ourselves with the shepherds of Bethlehem who hastened to the grotto as soon as they had received the Angel’s announcement and found “Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger” (Lk 2: 16). Let us too pause to contemplate this scene and reflect on… Read More ›
Six Simple spiritual goals for a happier new year
Aleteia: Losing 20 pounds may be more dramatic, but other things will make a bigger impact on your life. It feels like I’m starting from scratch over and over again. At the start of almost every new year I recommit to daily study. It’s one of the few acts that truly makes a difference in… Read More ›
Struggling with Advent? Maybe you’re doing it wrong!
Advent is a complicated season of past and future, and of hope… and it’s the hope that can trip us up. “John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!… Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every… Read More ›
Priest: Why holy water comes with me whenever I travel
Fr. Edward Looney explains why he brings holy water with him into every hotel room, and shares the prayers he prays. Every now and again, I have the opportunity to travel and speak at conferences, sharing about Mary’s importance in the spiritual life. When I do so, I usually have to spend the night in… Read More ›
The 10 technological diseases affecting us today
Has technology hijacked our quality of life? When we talk about the increasing number of people who are addicted to technology, we immediately picture smartphone zombies who can barely hold a conversation because they’re constantly busy scanning their phone’s push notifications, or that time your most selfie-centered friend nearly got hit by a car while… Read More ›
Have souls in Purgatory visited people on earth?
Vatican City, Nov 2, 2017 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Nestled in Rome just outside the Vatican, a small unassuming museum dedicated to the souls in Purgatory displays simple items such as prayer books and clothing. Nothing too unusual, until you realize that each allegedly show the marks of the deceased – such as inexplicably… Read More ›