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.
Detachment of the Heart and Peace
Very frequently … the Lord asks only an attitude of detachment at the level of the heart, a disposition to give Him everything. But he doesn’t necessarily ‘take’ everything. He leaves us in peaceful possession of many things when they are not bad in themselves and can serve His designs, knowing how to reassure us… Read More ›
On Holy Abandonment
Holy Abandonment, being perfect, loving, and filial conformity with God’s will, can only come from charity. It is indeed the natural fruit of charity, in such sort that a soul so far advanced as to live by love will live also in abandonment. For it is the property of love to unite man intimately with… Read More ›
Conversion and Humility
One of the early experiences on the way to conversion is the sense of being trapped in sinfulness. Half-desiring an escape but not perceiving any possible means of release. For the eye of the mind is unable to fix itself firmly on what it had so fleetingly glimpsed. It is subject to the constraint of… Read More ›
Sin and Compulsions: An Inner Tyranny
People who sin because of their compulsions are not having much fun, nor is their life spectacularly fulfilling. They may experience relief or temporary gratification of one sort or another, but fundamentally they are unfree. In a sense they are non-persons. They are being driven by their passions, both conscious and unconscious. Whatever they may… Read More ›
The Secret of My Identity
The secret of my identity is hidden in the love and mercy of God. But whatever is in God is really identical with Him: for His infinite simplicity admits no division and no distinction. Therefore I cannot hope to find myself anywhere except in Him. Ultimately the only way that I can be myself is… Read More ›
Reverence before God
What is reverence before God? It is the sobriety of spirit that stems from an experience of the otherness of God which makes us want to subdue self, remain silent, and to submit. We are overwhelmed by the greatness of God present and are reluctant to spoil the occasion by the intrusion of our own… Read More ›
We are the Church
The Church is a natural home for all who wish to pray, and the more faithful the Church is to its charter the more effective it will be as a school of prayer and contemplation. There is no better accompaniment to growth in prayerfulness than a strong sacramental life and the constant proclaiming and hearing… Read More ›
When it is Difficult to Pray
When it is difficult to therefore to pray, the most important thing is not to stop praying, not to give up the effort. At these times, turn to the Bible and go to the Church’s liturgy. Meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. Ponder the wisdom and counsel of… Read More ›
Creating an Accessible Church
The official Church is so massive that one easily feels alienated from it. It does not always seem like friendly space. Its teaching on faith and morals may seem distant and aloof, unrelated to anything that I experience. The Church does not always present as being emphatic about personal development or human relations. It sometimes… Read More ›