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.
Your Cross
A young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, dropped to his knees in prayer. “Lord, I can’t go on,” he said. “I have too heavy of a cross to bear.” The Lord replied, “My son, if you can’t bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then,… Read More ›
A Walk into the Dark
The spiritual life does not come cheap. It is not a stroll down a Mary Poppins path with a candy-store God who gives sweets and miracles. It is a walk into the dark with the God who is the light that leads us through darkness. Darkness, I have discovered, is the way we come to… Read More ›
I Hate Lent
I hate Lent. Or at least I hate the culture of Lent. After all, it really is a silly season, isn’t it? What is all the talk among Catholics these days? What did you give up for Lent? And of course the answer is many things like, smoking, or candy, or using foul language. For… Read More ›
How Brave Are We?
Let me tell you a true, but humorous and slightly scandalous story that comes out of the early days of the church. When the father of Origen, a third century theologian, was arrested for being a Christian, Origen, then only 17, was aflame with the desire to follow his Dad and share in glorious martyrdom…. Read More ›
Ways to Get the Most out of the Season of Lent (Part 3)
22. Pray for an end to capital punishment. Pray for those on death row, and for the families of murder victims. 23. Find a form of fasting that is appropriate for you, given your age, state of health, and state of life. Some fast on bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays. Some fast from… Read More ›
Ways to Get the Most out of the Season of Lent (Part 2)
11. If you’ve never done a family rosary, begin doing it. If starting with once a week, try Friday or Sunday. If it’s tough to start with a full five decades, try starting with one. 12. Make it a habit to stop at least five times a day, raise your heart and mind to God,… Read More ›
The Empty Church
Christianity in modern America is, in large part, innocuous. It tends to be easy, upbeat, convenient, and compatible. It does not require self-sacrifice, discipline, humility, a zeal for souls. There is little guilt and no punishment. The faith has been overwhelmed by the culture. Christianity becomes a cultural Christianity when the faith is dominated by… Read More ›
Ways to Get the Most out of the Season of Lent (Part 1)
1. Take 30 minutes to pray, ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance, look over this activities list for the Season of Lent, and make a few practical Lenten resolutions. Be careful. If you try to do too much, you may not succeed in anything. If you need to get up early or stay up late to… Read More ›
Temptations Correspond to Our Vulnerabilities
Biblical Reflection for 1st Sunday of Lent C By Father Thomas Rosica, CSB TORONTO, FEB. 17, 2010 (Zenit.org).- … At the very beginning of his campaign for this world and for each one of us, Jesus openly confronted the enemy. He began his fight using the power of Scripture during a night of doubt, confusion,… Read More ›
Love and concern for all families
. . . prayer should first of all be an encouraging witness on the part of those families who live out their human and Christian vocation in the communion of the home. How many of them there are in every nation, diocese and parish! With reason it can be said that these families make up… Read More ›