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.
We are Fallible
Most of us would be a lot happier if we were to embrace the notion that human life is necessarily a trial-and-error reality. Its goal is eternal life. That is fixed. But the ways by which we attain that goal and the objectives we pursue en route are relatively flexible. We do not operate in… Read More ›
Draw us into Your triumphal march
“And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass, whilst he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up to heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51) Meditation: Our Lord said to His Apostles before He departed from them: “If you loved Me, you… Read More ›
Fairest Love
The contemporary family, like families in every age, is searching for “fairest love”. A love which is not “fairest”, but reduced only to the satisfaction of concupiscence (cf. 1 Jn 2:16), or to a man’s and a woman’s mutual “use” of each other, makes persons slaves to their weaknesses. Do not certain modern “cultural agendas”… Read More ›
Our Age is Marked by a Great Crisis
In the light of these and other texts of the New Testament it is possible to understand what is meant by the “civilization of love”, and why the family is organically linked to this civilization. If the first “way of the Church” is the family, it should also be said that the civilization of love… Read More ›
Work as an Expression of Love
22. Work was the daily expression of love in the life of the Family of Nazareth. The Gospel specifies the kind of work Joseph did in order to support his family: he was a carpenter. This simple word sums up Joseph’s entire life. For Jesus, these were hidden years, the years to which Luke refers… Read More ›
Love or Hate?
I have learned that an age in which politicians talk about peace is an age in which everybody expects war: the great men of the earth would not talk of peace so much if they did not secretly believe it possible, with one more war, to annihilate their enemies forever. Always, “after just one more… Read More ›
Peace Be With You
A commitment to peace, to being peaceful, to peacefulness draws from a very deep well. It is a source beyond the corruptions of either ambition or pride. It transcends addiction to either power or personality cults. Once peace comes to a person, the need for power simply disappears and goes to dust inside ourselves. We… Read More ›
Opportunities for Retreats
Each Oblate is encouraged to make a retreat or Day of Recollection at least once a year. Belmont Abbey offers two Day of Recollections each year, one during Advent and once again during Lent. You may also contact Br. Edward if you would like to make a private retreat at (704) 461- 6693. In addition… Read More ›
We Are Shaped by the Past
The past colors the way we look at today and think about tomorrow. It forms our very definition of ourselves. The past never, ever really leaves any of us. All of us come from something — an alcoholic home, incest, embarrassing poverty, perhaps. That’s why it is so important, both to our spiritual life and… Read More ›
What that does the future hold?
The future is many things at once. It is the vessel into which we pour all our hopes and all our fears. “When all else is lost,” Christian Bovee says, “the future still remains.” The problem is that future is a panacea for some and a threat to others. It is at the edge of… Read More ›