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.
Definition of Prayer
There are several definitions of prayer. But it is most often called talk, a conversation, a colloquy with God. Conversing with someone, not only do we speak but we also listen. Prayer, therefore, is also listening. It consists of listening to hear the interior voice of grace. Listening to hear the call. And then, as… Read More ›
Our Guardian Angels
He has given his angels charge over you to guard you in all your ways. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy; his wonderful works are for the children of men. Let them give thanks and say among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. O Lord, what is man that… Read More ›
Inner Knowing, the Gift of Inner Knowledge
From time to time, we all have a feeling of inner knowing. Call it “inside information”: God gives us secret insight. Before 9/11, one of the men who died in the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania had an inner knowledge that something was about to occur, and prepared for it. God gives us “inside” tips…. Read More ›
Hail, O Cross, Our only Hope!
1. O Crux, ave spes unica! Hail, O Cross, our only hope! On the Cross human misery and divine mercy meet. The adoration of this unlimited mercy is for man the only way to open himself to the mystery which the Cross reveals. The Cross is planted in the earth and would seem to extend… Read More ›
Show Me the Success
“First of all, every time you begin a good work, you must pray to him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.” (RB: Prolologue: 4) . . . You can do it! But is that true? It doesn’t matter how much resolve or determination we muster up. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge we discover,… Read More ›
Abandonment Is an Awful Poverty
One day I visited a house where our sisters shelter the aged. This is one of the nicest houses in England, filled with beautiful and precious things, yet there was not one smile on the faces of these people. All of them were looking toward the door. I asked the sister in charge, “Why are they… Read More ›
‘Will you also go away?’
Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 23, 2009 / 09:45 am (CNA).- . . . ‘Will you also go away?’ “This provocative question,” the Pope Benedict taught, “is not only addressed to listeners of the time, but to believers and men of every age. Even today, many are shocked by the paradox of the Christian faith.” Because… Read More ›
Annual Renewal of Oblation
Abbot Placid Solari will receive final and temporary oblations on September 27, 2009. Family members are welcome to attend the Mass and ceremony which will be followed by a reception. Mass will begin at 3:00. Please mail this form to the Monastery as soon as possible. Oblates who have already made their final Oblation are… Read More ›
What does it mean to pray?
Often we ask: “What does it mean to pray?” For most people, it seems to mean to tell God about things we need—to make announcements to God. I guess we assume that God needs to be told about things. Jesus actually warned us about this: “Why are you babbling on to God, even the pagans… Read More ›
Let Us Listen First of All to the Voice of Monte Cassino
What can it say to us, what does it want to say to us, this outstanding monument of religious spirit and of humanity? Three times it was destroyed and three times it rose again from its ruins, remaining a mystical centre of inexpressible value for Italy, Europe and the world. There came up here the… Read More ›