Y L R E T R A U Q

The scapular, given to an oblate when he/she is invested as a novice, serves as a sign of being a faithful disciple of St. Benedict. Stability: A way to deeper faith

St. Benedict calls all who profess the Rule to Where is stability in all this frenetic “stability.” The monks vow a connection to movement? Those who make oblate one monastery. Oblates also connect our promises are called to a way of life promises to one monastery. immersed in sacred Scripture, rooted in prayer and service, and focused on a Upon considering this and reflecting on relationship to our Triune God. Our Biblical accounts, we see that Abraham was stability to one monastery offers guidance in called by God to pack up his family, depart living and deepening our faith wherever we his home and travel to parts unknown. are called to reside. Moses, called by God, was also to pack up all his kin, only to wander for years. Just as Abraham, Moses and Paul seemed only to be wandering about, their lives were Paul, after his ride to Damascus, found directly and intimately connected to himself traveling for the remainder of his listening, following and trusting God. Our life. Stability, at first glance, appears lost in stability is found today in that same these accounts. These folks are on the move. manner. We are to listen with the ear of our heart as God calls us to a life grounded in How does one find stability in an ever- our promises to Saint Meinrad and to the changing and constantly moving society? We Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. pack up and move for careers, education, marriage, adventure. Even retirement often Kathleen Polansky, oblate brings relocation. Our society does not make New Salisbury, IN it easy to settle down and remain connected to one place. We are a mobile society.

QUARTERLY FOR BENEDICTINE OBLATES OF SAINT MEINRAD Spring 2020, Volume 26:2 A POINT TO PONDER FROM Stability can lead to our heart’s desire

Stability is about so have before us now, at the present time much more than and in our present place, rather than The Rule “staying in one always waiting for the perfect opportunity place.” Home is we hope will come “sometime in the where the heart is, future.” Yes, patience is a virtue. But when “Stability” and ultimately that patience mutates into procrastination, it Rule of St. Benedict, 58:17-18 is what stability is becomes a vice. about. Where is your heart? Where Our culture today has been described as a Upon being received, they Archabbot Kurt come before the whole Stasiak, OSB is your treasure? “culture adrift.” We search for the perfect community in the oratory and job, the perfect place to live, the perfect promise stability, fidelity to Especially for oblates, who do not live in spouse with whom to live. We search for a monastery, stability is about how you the perfect vacation, the perfect the monastic life, and have “stabilized” your spirit – how you experience. Many times, even the more obedience. have set your hearts – in your search for spiritual aspects of our life can fall victim God. Presuming the monk and the to this addiction to searching. This is done in the presence of oblate have committed themselves to God and the saints to impress seeking God, the vow or promise of We search for the perfect parish, which, of on the novices that if they ever stability reminds us we need to get on course, has to come with the perfect priest. act otherwise, they will surely with the search here and now. We search for the perfect form of prayer be condemned by the one they and the perfect place in which to pray it. mock. Stability is an anchor that keeps us from We search for the perfect meditation, the drifting. And in the spiritual life, drifting perfect book, the perfect teacher, believing As oblates we promise stability is a frequent temptation. We drift, that when we find them, then – and only treading water, rather than swimming then? – we will be able to become the to Saint Meinrad monastery ahead. We drift, waiting for the current monk, the oblate, we want to be. Stability and to all the major to carry us, rather than going ahead and urges us on! This is the place. Let us make commitments we have made making that plunge forward ourselves. our move now . in our lives. Stability encourages us to recognize the Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB opportunities for growth and grace we Saint Meinrad Archabbey Stability is more than staying in place

One of the intervenes and the road we travel becomes Ben edictine Oblate Quarterly is published promises we make a bit steeper. four times a year by Saint Meinrad Archabbey. at our oblation Editor: Mary Jeanne Schumacher Designer: Tammy Schuetter ceremony is that Stability is not just about staying put Oblate Director: Janis Dopp we will pursue physically. It also encompasses how we Oblate Chaplain: Fr. Joseph Cox, OSB “stability of heart.” cultivate our spiritual and emotional Editorial Staff: Kathleen Polansky, Brenda It sounds easy commitments and our working Black, Angie McDonald enough – especially relationships. It has to do with how we when we are happy follow through on what we have agreed to Send changes of address and comments to Janis Dopp and all of the do and how we have promised to live and The Editor, Development Office, Saint Meinrad Archabbey, primary relationships in our lives are love. 200 Hill Dr., St. Meinrad, IN 47577, going well, when our pastor is pleasant, (812) 357-6817, fax (812) 357-6325 when our boss is agreeable, or when our Recently, I had the opportunity to or email [email protected] service commitments are manageable. reconcile with someone who had not been www.saintmeinrad.org But for everyone at some point, life part of my life in a tangible way for a very ©2020, Saint Meinrad Archabbey

2 long time. I felt much anxiety over what my life – and I would have been so much OBLATES would happen, but I also knew that it poorer because of it. In their own words was what I was called to do as a person who claims to put love first. This experience has taught me to be unafraid of reconciliation and to rely on I should have realized that I was not the strength that my promise of stability alone when I met with him. God was of heart has cultivated within me. The with us, and the reunion was so sweet graces that flow from our attention to that it brings me to tears just thinking our promises are silent bulwarks in times about it. Without my promise of of need. stability of heart, I could very easily have Janis Dopp ignored this relationship for the rest of Oblate Director Stability can lead to greater freedom

In various ways, family can lead to greater freedom and joy Oblate Jodi Knapp monasticism is as gradually over time we learn the Washington, IL different from the meaning of loyalty, patience, persistence popular culture, and forgiveness. As usual, St. Benedict Oh Lord, how you have blessed us and it is supposed knows people and he wants us to with the gift of time. You have to be. One of these remember that too many distractions can given us twenty-four hours in ways is the vow of impede us from knowing Christ more each day. You have not told us stability – a intimately. Consequently, stability of uniquely place and of heart are essential to a deeper how to spend this time, rather Fr. Joseph Cox, OSB Benedictine love of the Lord. have given us the ability to commitment to live in a particular choose how to spend it. monastic community for life. This is Fr. Joseph Cox, OSB quite unlike the shakiness of many Oblate Chaplain Will we… commitments of today’s highly mobile …spend time with you each society. day? Prayer for the Canonization of …spend time in the stillness? To live in stability is the opposite of the Servant of God Dorothy Day …spend time learning from lifestyle of “gyrovagues,” who drift all you and your people? their lives from monastery to monastery, God our Father, Your servant Dorothy …spend time listening? staying only a few days. “Always on the Day exemplified the Catholic faith by …spend time? move, they never settle down, and are her life of prayer, voluntary poverty, works of mercy, and the justice and slaves to their own wills and gross It is our choice to unwrap this appetites” (RB 1:10-11). peace of the Gospel of Jesus. amazing gift of time and determine how we are going to For oblates, stability can speak to the May her life inspire your people to turn spend it. Please Lord, let me importance of being mindful of the to Christ as their Savior, to see His face moment and the presence of God, in the world’s poor, and to raise their listen to you and follow your lead. staying rooted in the present, learning to voices for the justice of God’s kingdom. With great gratitude and love. wait patiently, and trying to stick with I pray that her holiness may be Amen. commitments, especially prayer and the recognized by your Church and that you service of others. Through centering our grant the following favor that I humbly hearts on God, especially through our ask through her intercession: daily lectio divina , we are better able to (mention your request) dilute some of our restlessness. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Like us on For monks, nuns and oblates, a Amen. commitment to a specific community or Facebook

3 Notes for Novices Stability and the rigors of love

Benedict is quite Stability is a ceaseless dialogue “How did you love your neighbor in clear that novices between you, the people in your life, stability of heart?” must persevere and – most importantly – God. in stability Sometimes it will seem easier to flee Jesus tells us that we should take up before they can from anxieties, like unfulfilling jobs, our crosses and follow Him (see Matt enter into the irritating relatives or petulant 16:24-28), because remaining stable in monastic life (see neighbors. love gives way to abundant and RB 58:9). This eternal life (see Jn 10:10). is to test whether God is not concerned if we complete Br. Stanley Rother novices truly well or not a task on a to-do list. Discern well your stability in life, for Wagner, OSB seek God and to Rather, he is concerned with how we it will ground you in Christ with love be sure that novices can handle the love each of our neighbors, especially of God and of your neighbor. rigors of love. if some of those neighbors make us want to dash off and never return to Br. Stanley Rother Wagner, OSB them again. Oblate Novice Mentor Stability of Heart: A Novice’s Quest

A journey of And the two sentences after the values to go along its narrow paths” pondering is the of the Benedictine life are listed: (Confessions , Book 8*). Long before I journey of an “These values make stability of heart became an oblate novice, a desire of oblate novice – possible. The sense of purpose, of my heart and prayer was (and still is) and this is guided meaning in life, is the first to ask God to create in me a clean proving to be fruit of stability.” and contrite heart. Could this prayer true for me. On be expressing my desire for stability this path, I’ve While reading this, more questions of heart? become came. “Commitment to what? Joanna Harris intrigued by the Perseverance in what sense?” My vocation as an oblate is to live the notion of stability of heart. What does Admittedly, there are infinite values of St. Benedict; that’s why I it mean? I had not honestly given possibilities to explore here. I’d like to choose to commit and to persevere. much thought to the definition of share two that came to mind during The result is that my heart seeks stability beyond its usual association my prayer time. First, the stability. Choosing stability of heart with the adjective “stable,” meaning a commitment is of my heart and soul “purifies my heart,” as St. Augustine fixed, immovable structure – a to Jesus Christ, guided by my describes. structure with stability. vocation as an oblate. Second, I can choose perseverance when the I have become willing to walk faith’s In our Benedictine Oblate Novice inevitable struggles and challenges of “narrow paths” to freedom! I am Companion , the first definition under living my faith and vocation occur. being guided and am so grateful to “The Promises and Duties of an begin knowing a sense of purpose. Oblate” (page 12) is “Stability of St. Augustine expressed so beautifully Thanks to St. Benedict and to the Heart.” Three sentences in that my experience of life’s convoluted monks and oblates here at Saint definition jumped off the page for me. path when he declared, “But in my Meinrad, my former and very limited First: “It’s because of our commitment temporal life everything was in a state definition of stability is being entirely and perseverance, or stability of heart, of uncertainty, and my heart needed transformed! that we shall be saved.” to be purified from the old leaven. I was attracted to the Way, to the Joanna Harris, oblate novice Savior Himself, but was still reluctant St. Meinrad, IN

*Confessions by St. Augustine . Henry Chadwick, Translator; Oxford World Classics; Oxford University Press: New York, 1991.

4 The Practice of Vigilance in the Monastic Life This is the third article in a four-part series.

The Rule of St. vigilance? Like each of the hours in Rule says, “…the Lord waits for us Benedict is a mix choir, it is a time for both communal daily to translate into action, as we of teachings, and personal prayer. But unlike the should, his holy teachings” (v. 35). admonitions, other hours, Vigils keeps watch through Here it is almost as if the Lord is spiritual counsel the first hours of the day. Its length practicing a vigilance of his own, and practical alone is demanding, interrupting sleep patiently waiting for the monks to regulations for and filling the time with sustained grow into his way! daily living. All attention to the Word of God. of them belong The values of respect for one another, Fr. Justin DuVall, OSB to the We might say that this Office is of reverence for seniors and love for interconnected web that is the life of characteristic of the monastic life juniors, of anticipating one another’s the monastery. because it calls the whole community needs – all sown throughout the Rule to a watchfulness that begins each day – respond to this vigilance of the Lord The values that the Rule enshrines and invites the individual monks to with perseverance. By “supporting one find expression in the way life in the make this watchfulness a formative another’s weaknesses of body or monastery is organized and in part of their conversatio . Monastic life behavior,” they learn to prefer nothing instructions to the monks “from a feeds on the plain fare of God’s Word, whatever to Christ (RB 72:5, 11) and father who loves [them]” (RB broken daily and multiplied over a thereby hasten toward their heavenly Prologue 1) on how to “hasten lifetime of fidelity. The Office of home. Through the vigilance of toward [their] heavenly home” (RB Vigils is not merely an individual charity, they can expect that Christ 73:8). Love, then, is the first and the heroic effort; it is the liturgical and “will bring [them] all together to foremost force behind both the communal expression of that everlasting life” (RB 72:11). structures and the discipline of deliberate mindfulness of God’s monastic life. presence and salvation. Love is the first and the foremost force behind both the structures and the Like other values that sustain life in In addition to prayer as a way of practices of monastic life. It moves the monastery, vigilance does not embedding vigilance, the Rule also both monks and oblates toward God. exist in the abstract. St. Benedict looks to individual asceticism. One While oblates are not expected to embedded it in the way that he example: famously it urges the monks duplicate the structures of monastic wanted his monks to live, and so it to “keep death daily before your eyes” life, they promise to share in the shapes the structure and dynamics of (RB 4:47). What at first blush might values and the practices of it. The daily life. Vigilance permeates seem morbid is lacking its context. final article in the series will look at a monastic life, but in this brief article I The verse immediately preceding it few ways that oblates can share in the will look at just a few areas in which says, “Yearn for everlasting life with value and the practice of vigilance in it finds particular expression. holy desire.” their lives.

Perhaps the most obvious expression Remembering the certainty of death Fr. Justin DuVall, OSB, monk of vigilance comes in the liturgical serves as an act of hope in that Saint Meinrad Archabbey section of the Rule , in chapters everlasting life for which the monks dealing with the Divine Office at are to yearn. Keeping the ultimate night (9-11, 14). The Office of Vigils, goal in mind purifies their actions so Online Store as we now call it, is the longest of the that they do not slip into the “sloth of hours celebrated in choir, and it was disobedience” by which they would Visit the Scholar Shop’s true as well in St. Benedict’s day. The drift away from God (Prol. 2). All online store combination of psalms and readings, ascetical practice aims at this same spread over several repeated target. http://store.saintmeinrad.edu nocturnes, constitutes the Office. Shop our new website for Lastly, fraternal relations within the the latest books from But the question remains: how does community give expression to Saint Meinrad authors, clothing this daily Office embed the value of vigilance, too. The Prologue to the and other items. 5 Workers in the Vineyard Actions show we care for those in need

As oblates, our dark. The fire of our hearts feeds being present in action and deed, oblation others by acts of kindness, caring, standing side by side engaging those included three understanding, forgiveness, in need. promises before compassion and love. the archabbot, Sometimes it is the smallest acts of all the saints, all It guides those in the depths of kindness and caring that reap the the assembled despair, taking them by the hand and greatest rewards – a smile of and God: walking beside them. Hearts firm on a friendship, a warm handshake, a stability of heart, foundation of service to others serve friendly face or a kind word. We show John Brooks fidelity to the as models for others. We become a by our actions that there is at least spirit of the beacon of light, hope and faith. one person who cares. monastic life, and obedience to the will of God. Each of us, while Stability for me is found in bringing Opening hearts to hope that is real, forming in our mother’s womb, light, hope and faith. I volunteer at a faith that is genuine, a journey that receive from God, our creator, an hospital, food pantry and homeless leads out of the darkness into the ember from his heart that ignites a shelter. With a heart founded firmly light, we stand firmly in our living the fire in our hearts to light our way on on God, I engage those often promises. our journey of life. overlooked, forgotten and shunned by society. John Brooks, oblate Called to transcend the world, we Columbus, IN journey to reignite fire in the hearts of Stability in an unstable world involves those who have become cold and more than just words. It involves Reflections from the Wilderness Nurture the spirit by connecting with God

Many great things come in threes, I’ve noticed that some people study to Connect to God through prayer and such as BLTs (bacon, lettuce, gain knowledge, and some do physical fasting. The more connected we are, tomato), or CRB (chicken, bacon, exercises to build up their bodies. the more we radiate God’s will by ranch), or even s’mores (chocolate, What I’ve learned is the deepest, most loving God and loving our neighbor. marshmallow, graham cracker). There effective nurturing we can give is also what scientists say is required ourselves is spiritual through So, my challenge to you is to do some for physical life: water, which is two connecting to God. spiritual push-ups today and get hydrogen molecules and one oxygen connected through prayer, meditation molecule. Our God is in the form of Seeing, reading and learning are and silence. You’ll feel better after you three as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. amazing, but not a top priority for the connect with the Father, the Son and spirit. Eating right, coupled with a the Holy Spirit. The three I would like to write about good physical exercise regimen, is also is our mind, body and spirit. Of these productive; again, not mandatory for Robert Branson, oblate three, spirit is primary. It connects us the spirit. Branchville, IN to the source of everything, the eternal field of consciousness. The When we connect to the Father and more connected we remain, the more the Son, through the Spirit, the body we enjoy the abundance of the and the mind will ultimately follow in universe. In a state of disconnection, the same direction of healthy, positive we bring suffering and struggle. growth. Take time for silence.

6 The Busy Benedictine Sometimes staying put is the right move

The Busy Benedictine is an occasional column about trying to be like a monk when you’re working and taking care of kids.

“I could go back Silence. The wife… it turns out she card, a letter. It’s not the same. When home!” exclaims isn’t angry. Deep down, she knows someone moves away from my the wife. She that staying put is the right move. neighborhood, they sometimes say, was raised in a This place is home now. “See you later.” I think, no–no, there’s certain town no seeing you later. I’m watching you and, years later, Stability. You can’t be stable unless exit my life, never to return. You’re the husband gets you stay put. And that’s just what St. dead now, for all intents and a job offer in Benedict says. A wise fellow, as purposes. that town. For always. Did you know that careful Edward Castronova 20 years, she’s studies of human well-being show And I ask why? Why are you leaving been dreaming of going back – of that we are most happy if we are this spot? What is so great about the being with family again, and all her deeply enmeshed in a community? other spot that it is worth severing all friends and old pathways. The But the economy doesn’t give a fig for this human connection that you, your comfort of home, of being stable those studies or St. Benedict’s wife, your kids, had built? All that pain again, like she used to be. wisdom. It tempts and tempts and and loneliness, just for a better job. tempts. “Move,” it says. “Move and I “Can we please not move?” says the will give you riches and power.” Don’t do it. Stay put. You can’t go 13-year-old. But you know, it is not a home again. This place, where you are bad time to change schools, at the line But people who have moved often, right now – God put you there and between middle school and high like me, know that what’s gone is St. Benedict wants you to stay there. school. The 17-year-old says he does gone. When you move, it’s as if Listen to them, not the world. not care, but he says that about everyone you used to know is dead. everything. Still, he is on the way to People always say, “We’ll keep in Edward (Ted) Castronova, oblate college. A family move would have touch.” But they don’t, not really. A Bloomington, IN less impact.

To move or not to move! How many people dream of a promotion and advancement, a new opportunity. And how strongly does the economy pull at us. Yes, if we are good at what we do, the economy will always dangle more money and power and opportunity – so long as we are willing to move.

So, it came to a head. And I said, “I’m not taking the job. We’re not moving.” Woah – that’s head-of- household action, increasingly rare these days. “I’m saying it now, firmly, so that the boys don’t have to worry about it. We are not moving. Not now, not ever. I intend to die in this Joanna Harris congratulates Vicki Pettus after Pettus made her final oblation on December 7, 2019. house, right here.”

7 Considering the Psalms: Psalm 122 reminds us of the joy of our faith

I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” And now our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord. For Israel’s witness it is to praise the name of the Lord. There were set the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray, “May they prosper, those who love you.” May peace abide in your walls, and security be in your towers. For the sake of my family and friends, let me say, “Peace upon you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord, our God, I will seek good things for you. —Psalm 122:1-9

While chanting It was to the land of Canaan they were home. Moments where people call us the psalms destined. The land where Jerusalem friend or loved one. Stability asks for during Vespers, would be built as a city, the temple more than surviving through another the familiar would be established as the dwelling season or another year; rather it’s an tones and place of God on earth and the place opportunity to stand for something rhythms that would become a foundation of and be of value to others. encompassed worship and forgiveness for centuries. and embraced We look to the Church, our place of me. My mind, Jews would travel to Jerusalem to holy presence and stability, a place to Kathleen Polansky the rhythm of make sacrifice to God and seek steady our fears and our dreads and my breath, even my heartbeat, were forgiveness in its temple. Jerusalem, seek to listen to God’s call for us. Our synchronized with the cadence. I was the place where Jesus Himself would stability is found in the presence of suddenly absorbed in a memory of become Temple and Sacrifice. Christ in the Eucharist, the gift of the being in that very place many years Holy Spirit promised through our past. The smells, the sounds, the Psalm 122/121 is a hymn of joy. To sacraments, and the image of God in chant were a hug of peace and calm in proceed to the temple, one went in which we are created. a world that tosses us and frequently praise to the house of God. It was a leaves us in much upheaval. great honor to go to Jerusalem and set For those who make oblate promises, foot in the house of the Lord. “I was we choose a way of life rooted in the Upon considering this, it occurred to glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go sacraments, sacred Scripture, prayer, me that Abraham was called by God to the house of the Lord!’ Our feet are service, and continuous relationship to pack up his family and leave his standing within your gates, O with our Triune God. homeland and kinfolk to travel to Jerusalem. Jerusalem – built as a city places unknown. What an upheaval that is bound firmly together…” Our stability, joined through that must have been. Moses, called by connection to this one monastery, God, was to first return home, then Today Jerusalem remains the place of upholds us in our living faith. It offers pack up all his kin and leave for parts promise and stability for Jews, worship us a steady support in our upheavals unknown. and sacredness for Islam, historicity and a nudge in our complacency. We and holiness for Christians. To stand find a hug of peace and calm within Jesus, addressing his first followers, in Jerusalem is to stand in the location these walls and give thanks to the asked them to leave all and follow of thousands of years of faith. name of the Lord. Him. Stability, at first glance, appears lost in these accounts. How can one The Rule of St. Benedict calls us to Kathleen Polansky, oblate know stability while God is “stability.” Stability calls us to be New Salisbury, IN demanding such change? strong, to stand, to endure. We strive for a steadiness where we can be

8 Einsiedeln founded on site of Meinrad’s hermitage

Long, long ago, So the monastery sent a group of From a hermit to a handful of men to and in a land far, monks west, beyond the mountains, monks serving under a rule and an far away, a beyond the ocean, in fact, to a land in abbot. Many such places have come hermit settled on a new world, just north of a mighty and gone over the centuries. Tintern the slope of a river. In this land lived women, men and Rievaulx remain as ruins, the mountain to and children who spoke and read the muse of poets and dreamers. Fontenay worship, praise same language as the monks. and Sénanque are for tourists, a and seek union destination for the bus and gift shop. with God. One There the monks settled, and there Mark Plaiss day two ruffians they erected a monastery, and they But the monastery of the hermit on pounced upon the hermit, convinced named the monastery after that hermit the slope of the mountain remains. that he possessed valuable earthly who had settled on the slope of the And it is not in ruins. Though tourists treasures. The two intruders killed the mountain back in the old country. visit, the monks remain. The rococo hermit in their vain search for And there, like their brothers back in church building and its environs a imagined precious items. that old country, these monks tended registered historical site. to the spiritual, and sometimes But the death of the hermit only corporal, needs of those women, men The hermit was Meinrad. That inspired more men to come to that and children. monastery is Einsiedeln Abbey in same lonely spot on the slope of the Switzerland. Its foundation is Saint mountain to worship, praise and seek The monastery back in the old Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. union with God. Word spread about country did indeed weather the these men. As the decades passed, revolution. And today it welcomes the And the Opus Dei goes on therein to more and more men flocked to the pilgrim, the curious and the this day. site on the slope of the mountain. befuddled. The daily rhythm of prayer One day it was decided that a and work continues. Over the Mark Plaiss, oblate novice monastery should be constructed at centuries, the monastery and its Fox Lake, IL the site. church have been rebuilt many times, the most recent renovation being And so it was. completed in 1997.

Centuries melded one into another, and the monastery grew in numbers, prestige and authority. The monastery became not only a center for the worship and praise of God, but also a center for learning and letters and music. Princes and emperors fawned over the monastery.

Then a great revolution erupted in the land. Would the monastery survive the strife and violence of revolution? One of the ideas for survival was to make a foundation, another monastery beyond the great slope of the mountain, a monastery beyond the reach of the acrimony of the moment. If the monastery were suppressed or destroyed, refuge would be found in this new foundation. Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB, places the scapular around the neck of Cody Jellison during the investiture rites on December 7, 2019.

9 Meeting the Monks An interview with Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB

you where your home is,” he says. “Concrete forms of place and community ground a person.” Physical structures such as church buildings have a way of getting that message across like no other.

Long a fan of church architecture, Fr. Harry especially likes churches of Romanesque construction. During his post-graduate studies in Rome, he found a favorite in 12th-century Ve’zelay Abbey in France’s Burgundy region.

Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB “You feel like you’re standing in the strength of God,” he says of the For Fr. Harry Hagan, OSB, stability Fr. Harry describes the lengthy solidly built church. Fr. Harry has put has been a lifelong theme. Given that process of becoming a full-fledged his keen interest in sacred spaces to he came of age during the turbulent monk: three months as a candidate, good use as a member of the Saint 1960s, that is no small statement. then one year as a novice, then three Meinrad Archabbey church years as a junior monk, and then final renovation team. From an early age, Fr. Harry knew the profession. Later, when he served as steadiness of a family deeply rooted in novice and junior master from 1996 Rather than limiting a person, the small town of Bardstown, KY. to 2008, Fr. Harry guided potential anchoring oneself to a certain Even while social upheaval raged monks through this same sequence of community can be incredibly freeing. elsewhere, Fr. Harry was well on his formation that he had experienced. On top of his considerable academic way to doubling down on a tradition credentials, over the years Fr. Harry dating back centuries. An in-depth reading of the Rule of St. has also studied 10 languages, Benedict forms the core of that published over 40 original hymns, The spiritual trajectory of Fr. Harry’s formation, especially Chapter 58, produced three Gregorian chant CDs, life seemed to be set early. By the “The Procedure for Receiving and pursued art as a hobby for the eighth grade, he was already Brothers.” Fr. Harry would seek to past 10 years. discerning his priestly vocation, “help them understand themselves, entering the Archdiocese of how they need to, and can, conform As associate professor of Scripture, he Louisville’s St. Thomas Minor themselves to the community … how teaches core courses in Old Testament Seminary for high school students and to become part of this group.” narrative and poetry as well as college freshmen and sophomores. electives on covenant and the Psalms. The monastery’s day, punctuated at He also teaches courses in Greek, Where would the future priest do his regular intervals by the calls to prayer, Hebrew and Latin – once again, theological training? “My bishop can reveal to candidates their ancient languages still being mined for made me come here and study as a suitability for such a life. Some, he wisdom today. junior in college,” Fr. Harry says of said, adapt well while others “don’t coming to Saint Meinrad School of quite mesh” with a life that many For Fr. Harry, stability has been a very Theology in 1967. Without skipping might see as confining. fruitful way of life indeed. a beat, he then joined the monastic community four years later. It’s all a part of discovering that sense Angie McDonald, oblate of place and belonging. “Stability tells Huntingburg, IN

10 Liturgy of the Hours resources found in Alcuin Oblate Library

When we The Alcuin Oblate Library has books • Glenstal Book of Prayer: a become oblates to teach you how to use the four- Benedictine Prayer Book . (An of Saint volume set as well as the single- excellent liturgy to use when time Meinrad, we volume Christian Prayer . One is short. Very short.) promise stability excellent example is The Divine Office • Christian Prayer . (The large-print of heart, fidelity for Dodos by Madeline Pecora Nugent. edition of the one-volume Liturgy to the spirit of of the Hours) monastic life, Q. How many different versions of the • Benedictine Daily Prayer: A Short Liturgy of the Hours are there? And can Ann Smith and obedience Breviary . (From St John’s Abbey, to the will of we use them? intended for oblates) God. Daily praying the Liturgy of the Many. And yes. Many religious orders • The People’s Companion to the Hours as best we can in our lives, have developed their own liturgies Breviary from the Carmelites of which is one of our duties as oblates, based on their rules or the needs of Indianapolis. (A two-volume helps us keep those promises. their individual communities. We liturgy using inclusive language. A own many different versions. You are four-week psalter for Morning, Praying the Liturgy of the Hours is an free to use them to enrich your prayer Daytime and Evening prayers excellent way of sanctifying our day life. Some examples are: with seasonal prayers and special and sanctifying our lives. We cannot • The Rhythm of Life: Celtic Daily feasts and commemorations.) become people of prayer if we do not Prayer by David Adam. Adam is pray. To help you with the Liturgy of a former vicar on the island of I hope this helps you in your journey the Hours, the Alcuin Oblate Library Lindisfarne. This book contains to becoming a person of prayer. And I presents: Morning, Midday, Evening and hope to see you in the Alcuin Oblate Night Prayer for one week. Library! Liturgy of the Hours Q & A • That God May be Glorified: An Inclusive Language Setting of the Ann Smith, oblate Q. Where are the books about the Liturgy of the Hours . From the Gahanna, OH Liturgy of the Hours in the Alcuin Benedictine Sisters of Erie. Oblate Library? The call number we use is 264.024. (Your local library might use a different call number. Libraries use the call numbers that fit their collection the best. A very Benedictine thing to do.)

Q. Are there books to inspire me to become more conscientious about praying the Liturgy of the Hours? Yes. There are many books to help you understand the impact the Liturgy of the Hours can have on your life. Two examples are: Seven Sacred Pauses by Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, and Music of Silence by David Steindl- Rast, OSB.

Q. I want to use the four-volume Ellen Micheletti prays before making her final oblation on December 7, 2019. Liturgy of the Hours, but it is so confusing! What can I do?

11 Growing deeper in faith with music

St. Pope John techniques unfold the deeper meaning The musical and textural emphases on Paul II’s Fides et of the Scripture. this text establish the climax of the Ratio teaches us musical phrase. With these that God reveals Please scan QRC1 to listen compositional techniques, Handel Himself to his to the recording before persuades the listener of the creation, and we proceeding. significance of the words “Wonderful, understand these Counselor, the Almighty God…” revelations One can notice the extended 16th through note figure on the word “born” that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Ave Br. Michael Reyes, OSB knowledge and lasts for a couple of measures. This Verum Corpus” uses text originating reason. Through the Scriptures of the distinguishable musical gesture occurs from Richeneau. prophets and the events that have only when the choir sings the word transpired in history, we use reason to “born.” Handel could have utilized a Please scan QRC2 to listen discover God’s revelation. different musical idea or could have to the recording before placed the 16th note melodic gesture proceeding. However, God not only reveals in a different word. However, Handel Himself through the Scriptures, but chooses to reinforce the meaning of Hail, true body also manifests Himself in his other the word “born” by assigning the 16th born of the Virgin Mary, creations, including sound. Through note melodic idea to it. Who truly suffered, sacrificed the organization of sound, composers on the Cross for man, and music theorists create different This melodic gesture delays the Whose pierced side overflowed techniques and sound colors to conclusion of the word “born,” and with water and blood, deepen our understanding of God’s Handel provides a lengthy Be for us a foretaste love for us. anticipation to its closure. The In the test of death. 1 association of this musical figure to In musical pieces containing sacred the word “born” helps the listener to The piece starts with a bed of muted ideas, the analyses of these experience the Jews’ enduring wait for strings playing chordal arpeggios in a compositions and the music theories the birth of the Messiah. slow tempo. The choir enters and of musical creation are tools that help appears to emanate from the conclusion the listener grow deeper in faith. The Another aspect of Handel’s technique of the arpeggio introduction of the analyses of sacred music compositions is the dotted rhythm of the phrase “and strings. The choir sings mostly chords with or without text demonstrate how the government shall be upon His in rhythmic unison for almost half of the critical listener can flourish in shoulders.” Handel builds up this text the song, which is almost three- faith and make their prayers more by using an ascending melody together fourths of the text of the prayer. profound. with a repeating dotted rhythm. It provides an opportunity for Handel to Mozart employs a very homophonic George Frideric Handel’s most create an atmosphere of anticipation texture, longer rhythms, a slower notable work, “Messiah,” uses an to the climax of the text: “Wonderful, tempo, and a lyrical melody to evoke array of scriptural texts. One of the Counselor, the Almighty God…” the sadness and frailty of Christ’s choral songs from this oratorio, “For body. From the beginning until the Unto Us A Child Is Born,” employs Upon reaching this section, Handel word “sanguine” (blood), Mozart the text from Isaiah 9:6. Handel’s use further complements the pinnacle of underscores the meaning of the text of fundamental Baroque the text with a change of rhythm and by using these techniques. compositional techniques, including texture. The motivic support from the motivic imitation and running 16th timpani, together with the rhythmic Upon reaching the text “ Esto nobis notes, enhance the meaning of the unison of the entire choir, creates a praegustatum, ” Mozart shifts from text. With the critical listening of the very majestic sound that amplifies the chordal harmony to motivic audience, Handel’s compositional importance of the text. imitation. Mozart practices text

12 painting to emphasize the meaning of The dark sonority of these harmonies An interesting aspect of Messiaen’s the word “foretaste.” The occurrences informs the listener of what is to depiction of the Agony in the Garden of this text in the other voices at come. is the use of rhythmic imitations. different times intensify the meaning Messiaen adopts this technique to of the word. The motivic imitation Beethoven also uses a rhythmic motif unite God and Jesus in the music. As shifts back to chordal harmony on the that is associated with funeral the piece progresses, the rhythms of the rearticulation of the text “ in mortis marches. These marches typically two pianos become apart from each examine. ” contain repeating dotted note other and their melodies move in rhythms in a slow tempo. This depicts contrary motion. This technique builds Mozart prolongs the word by the slow somber walk when following a conflict between God and Jesus. augmenting the melody on the a casket in a funeral march. syllable “ mo ” of “ mortis .” Mozart Beethoven uses this rhythm to help The pianos play softly as the piece heightens the melodic line with an the listener associate the music with approaches the end. This signifies the ascending melody and serves as the the death of Christ. It foreshadows acceptance of Jesus to his agonizing climax of the piece. Mozart asserts the what happens to Christ after the fate. The slow repetitive low C’s at importance of the word “death” in the events on the Mount of Olives. the end of the piece is Messiaen’s text with these compositional tools. representation of a death bell toll. In the middle of the overture, Even though the harmonies used by Having Scripture in music is not the Beethoven uses a descending minor Messiaen are uncommon to the only way to strengthen prayer. Music scale as a motif. The development of listener, Messiaen tries to evoke a without text can also be an this motif is mostly played in a minor feeling of uncertainty and surrender opportunity for prayer to develop. or diminished scale. Descending scales through rhythmic imitations and The overture from Ludwig van of this sonority are typically associated certain motivic elements. These can Beethoven’s “Mount of Olives” and with wailing or deep sighs. Beethoven help the listener understand Olivier Messiaen’s “Amen de l’agonie employs this motif in the overture to Messiaen’s musical dramaturgy in the de Jesus” are the two primary depict the wailing and deep sighs in Agony in the Garden though his examples. Christ’s sorrowful passion. musical processes.

Please scan QRC3 to listen As the overture ends, Beethoven The analyses of sacred music to the recording before modulates to a different key and shifts compositions and the different proceeding. the tonality from minor to major. It is theories of musical creation can unusual for a somber piece to have a strengthen the listener’s faith and The main purpose of an overture is to major key; however, Beethoven uses make their prayers more profound. establish the mood and to hear the the technique to anticipate Christ’s Music compositions with or without thematic materials of the piece. arrival to the garden. Beethoven sets sacred text can therefore present how Beethoven’s overture from the up a pleasant mood because Christ is God reveals Himself to the listener of “Mount of Olives” begins with minor about to spend some time with the the music. St. Augustine amplifies this arpeggios. Beethoven extends this Father. As the music progresses, by saying music is the science or the musical gesture to establish a somber Beethoven reveals the sad state of sense of proper modulation is likewise sound. He even sets the overture in a Christ through the minor key change. given by God’s generosity to mortals minor key to magnify further the having rational souls in order to lead melancholy music. Messiaen’s “Amen de l’agonie de them to higher things. 2 Jesus” uses two pianos that represent To give more dissonance to the God and Jesus. Br. Michael Reyes, OSB, monk sound, Beethoven juxtaposes fully Saint Meinrad Archabbey diminished 7th harmonies against the Please scan QRC4 and minor tonality of the piece. The listen only to Messiaen’s Br. Michael has a doctorate degree in contrasting tonal areas of these two “Amen de l’agonie de music composition from the University harmonies provide a vulnerable mood Jesus” before proceeding. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. that Beethoven wants to establish.

1 www.users.on.net/~algernon/aveverum/translation.html (Accessed on Dec 11, 2019). 2 St. Augustine of Hippo. Epistle 161. De Origine Animae Hominis , 1,2; PL XXXIII, 725.

13 Virtue Ethics: Aristotle and St. Benedict’s Rule

Throughout St. Likewise, he would have objected to of a virtuous life for Aristotle consists Benedict’s Rule ,1 much in Chapter 7 concerning of practical wisdom ( phronēsis ). there are many humility, especially the seventh rules for the degree, as irrational and thus self- How, then, do we become wise? organization and destructive. 3 A second difference is Aristotle’s answer is that virtue is the governance of a that, because human nature is product of developing habits of acting monastery and inherently social (“Man is born for virtuously, and we do this by seeking for the material citizenship,” he wrote), Aristotle habitual moderation in our feelings and spiritual would not have understood the desire and decisions and thus avoid extremes Bill Hamrick welfare of its to be an anchorite or considered it a of excess and deficiency. Virtue “is a cenobite legitimate form of spiritual fulfillment. mean between two vices, one of excess residents. Yet rules are not what is and one of deficiency” ( Ibid ., 44), and central to monastic life. What is most Despite these differences, Aristotle’s ethics ( ethike ) “results from habit [i.e., important is that the enforcement of view that human nature is essentially of ēthos ]: hence its name ‘ethical,’ rules always be guided by an ever- social creates a fundamental agreement slightly varied from ‘ ethos ’” (EN 33). present concern for the monks’ souls, between his vision of social life and St. and that view is rooted in an older Benedict’s view of monastic life for An example of moderation in feelings tradition of virtue ethics that hearkens cenobites and his distrust of sarabaites would be fear: too much fear in a back to Plato, and especially to and vagabonds. The model for both particular situation would amount to Aristotle (384-322 BCE). 2 men is an organic unity, a cohesive the excess of cowardice. Too little whole of interdependent participants fear, the deficiency, would be I am not certain how much St. in which what is morally good for the foolhardiness. The proper amount of Benedict knew of the latter’s thought, whole is therefore good for each of its fear, the virtuous state, would be or indeed how much was known in “parts.” Conversely, the whole courage. his lifetime (480-547 CE), because the increases in goodness as its intellectual development in 13th- participants increase in goodness. An example of moderation in actions century Europe consisted of the would be giving discretionary income rediscovery of Aristotle’s thought. For Aristotle, the name for that to charity: too much would amount Rather, I want only to show here that goodness is virtue, which is the to being a spendthrift and, at the the Rule presupposes and expresses internal excellence of something – extreme, recklessness: if you give away much that is congenial to Aristotle’s how it performs its specific function all your money, you may end up descriptions of moral experience and well. Moral virtues – those of needing charity yourself. But if you civic life. “character” ( ēthos ) – refer to the give too little, then you’re stingy. The proper development of practical right amount equals praiseworthy First, however, let us put aside two reasoning governing the non-rational generosity. major differences between them. The part of the soul – drives, passions and first one is that Aristotle advances a desires. The objects of moral virtues Since the only way to find the mean is purely naturalistic ethics based on are feelings, the use of external goods, by experience – effectively trial and empirical evidence. In his view, ethics and social life generally. error – Aristotle insists that “it is hard is indissolubly linked to psychology work to find what is intermediate” and biology, and the evidence showed As The New York Times columnist (EN 51). It is very easy to become him that human beings have the David Brooks expresses it, “Aristotle angry, he points out, “and anyone can inherent capacity to lead morally good teaches us that being a good person is do it; but doing it to the right person, lives. Therefore, he could not have not mainly about learning moral rules in the right amount, at the right time, agreed with St. Benedict’s statement and following them. It is about for the right end, and in the right way in the Prologue of the Rule that the performing social roles well – being a is no longer easy, nor can everyone do good in monks is not from good parent or teacher or lawyer or it. Hence [doing these things] well is themselves, but from God. friend.” 4 The successful development rare, praiseworthy, and fine.” ( Ibid .)

14 And not only do we need experience, notions of virtue and how to achieve others,” and only states that but also we need an honest appraisal it. Chapter 1 tells us that the abbot moderation is to be observed in the of our desires and inclinations. As we must be an exemplar, a virtuous consumption of wine. shall see, St. Benedict says much the person, who engages in a “twofold same thing about how the abbot manner of teaching” by actions as well Moderation is also necessary in should make decisions. as preaching. Further, as Aristotle assigning burdens because not all knew, his decision-making must be monks have the strength to “have the Before that, though, let us note that, contextual, “suiting his actions to aspect of Lenten observance” all year in the entire Rule , there is only one circumstances,” “adapting himself to round (Chapter 49). And finally, the monk besides the abbot who receives the dispositions of many.” Prudence abbot should “not be turbulent and anything like a full description, and requires him to “administer all things overanxious, over-exacting and he illustrates Aristotle’s conception of wisely and justly,” which entails doing headstrong, jealous and prone to the morally virtuous person. In “nothing without counsel.” suspicion, for otherwise he will never Chapter 31, St. Benedict states that have rest” (Chapter 64) – all of which the cellarer should be “a man who is Further, excommunication, the Aristotle would count as vices of wise and mature of character, subject of Chapter 24, must be excess. temperate, not greatly given to eating, “measured according to the gravity of not haughty, nor turbulent, nor the fault.” Proportionality must be The abbot should be guided by offensive, nor indolent, nor wasteful. achieved, and its estimation “left to “models of discretion, the mother of …Let him not be covetous, or the judgment of the Abbot.” Likewise, virtue … [and] so temper all things so wasteful, or a squanderer of the goods Chapter 30 tells us that, in regard to that the strong may still find of the monastery. He should do all the correction of young boys, “Every something they will do with zeal, and things in moderation and according age and understanding should have its the weak may not be disheartened.” to the bidding of his Abbot.” proper measure,” which also applies to Aristotle, I believe, could not have Chapter 37, “Of old men and said it better. St. Benedict’s descriptions of the children,” and Chapter 40, in which abbot’s functions and decision- the author hesitates “to determine the Bill Hamrick, oblate making illustrate well Aristotle’s measurement of nourishment for St. Louis, MO

1 Citations from this text come from The Holy Rule of Our Most Holy Father Saint Benedict, Edited by the Benedictine Monks of St. Meinrad Archabbey (St. Meinrad, IN: Grail Publications, 2nd printing of the revised edition, 1956). 2 Aristotle usually walked around his Athenian school, called the Lyceum, while lecturing to students whose notes we have. Out of those notes have come two major texts on ethics whose authorship is certain: the Nicomachean Ethics and the Eudemian Ethics . Citations here are from the former, translated by Terence Irwin (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1985), hereinafter abbreviated as “EN.” 3 I heard these exact criticisms in a recent discussion group examining the seventh degree of humility. The consensus was that David, whose Psalm is at issue in this passage, was having a really bad day. 4 David Brooks, “Why Elders Smile,” The New York Times OP-ED, Friday, December 5, 2014, A 27. Oblates invited to join Holy Land pilgrimage Br. Maurus Zoeller, OSB, invites any interested oblates to join him on a 10-day trip to the Holy Land. Travelers will visit Bethlehem, Haifa, Tiberius, Nazareth and Jerusalem. Travel dates are March 16-25, 2021. Cost is $3,599 from New York. For information, contact Br. Maurus at (812) 357-6674 or [email protected].

15 A careful watch: Vigilance in the Rule of St. Benedict

In December, oblates gathered at death. Rather, we are waiting for counsels, “Silence is wisdom’s first Saint Meinrad Archabbey to spend a Christ . If we are waiting for death, we reply.” weekend contemplating vigilance with are waiting for the end. If we are Fr. Mateo Zamora, OSB. He began waiting for Christ, however, we are We are to listen intently and speak so the retreat with a reminder, in the waiting for the beginning. as to allow God to speak through us. words of Henri Nouwen, that “Life is Our actions should reflect both reality Advent.” It is a continual waiting – a The Rule exhorts, “Care of the sick and God’s dream for our lives, actions looking forward to things to come. must rank above and before all else.” that make the most of the gifts He has Fr. Mateo urged us to always share given. Finally, as the Rule exhorts, we Fr. Mateo urged us, however, to look both grief and joy, even amid sickness are to keep death always in mind. Our inward even as we look forward , and and death. “Sharing multiplies joy lives should be simple, uncluttered. to always ask these four questions: and divides sorrow when what we are We should always leave space for the waiting for finally arrives.” Holy Spirit to do his work. How long did you wait? ● What were you waiting for? The last three conferences, on Again, finishing in the words of ● Why did you wait? vigilance over our words, our actions Nouwen, Fr. Mateo reminded us that ● How did you wait? and our possessions, were a reflection “Waiting is a period of learning.” Did ● on accountability, humility and you wait in service? In the second conference, “Vigil for simplicity. We were reminded that the Sick and Dying,” we were much of the damage in people’s lives Audra Douglas, oblate reminded that we are not waiting for is caused by words. Euripides Evansville, IN Retreat helps novices see clearer picture of oblate life

Happy New Year to my fellow oblate The focus of the weekend was finding At the close of the weekend, a handful novices and our oblate family. What stability in our lives as oblate novices. of us gathered to share one last meal better way to begin 2020 than to Our goal was to find a balance together before heading our separate attend an oblate novice retreat at Saint through our prayer, work and leisure. ways. I remarked to Br. Stanley, and Meinrad Archabbey? Especially one led We are called to strip away those the others gathered there, that prior to by Br. Stanley Rother Wagner, OSB. layers of sin and sloth that accumulate the weekend, I felt like I had the through our lives. I think of Adam pieces of a puzzle but could not figure We began Friday evening with and Eve, before they fell, standing out how to assemble them. instruction on how to pray like a naked before God without shame. We Benedictine, matching our pace and are called to be vulnerable and That is what the weekend did for me. volume to that of the monks. exposed, so that we rely on God and Not only do I have a clearer picture of Following their lead by slowing our the monastic community. the oblate life, but practical ways to pace, lowering our voices and incorporate it into everyday life, as we integrating periods of silence, we Through this transformation, we can strive, as St. Benedict charges, to blend our worship into one united forge a new identity as an oblate bring a good work to completion. voice. It was beautiful, and I have novice in Christ Jesus. Through St. continued that slower, more deliberate Benedict’s Rule and God’s grace, along Sonia Keepes, oblate novice pace in my prayer life. Br. John Mark with the liturgy, tools of good works Mt. Carmel, IL Falkenhain, OSB, told us, “The and steps of humility, we have the silence is the perfect complement to means to be formed into the Word. the word.” 16 The Oblate Toolbox Maybe it’s time to get back to basics

“These, then, are the tools of the spiritual craft … the workshop where we are to toil faithfully at all these tasks is the enclosure of the monastery and stability in the community.” – Rule of St. Benedict 4:75, 78

Do you don’t have bells to call us to our In that case, remember morning and evening prayer, but St. Benedict urges us to stay on the playing on the perhaps we would feel less distracted path that leads to holiness, not readily merry-go-round if we did. We don’t live under an abandoning our calling as oblates. My down at the abbot at home, but perhaps life would mother used to say to me, “Put those local park? It be less complicated if we did. blinders on!” Sometimes we simply was great fun to have too many options that tend to try and hold on Do we have trouble maintaining the splinter our focus into a million while your Lauds, Vespers and Compline hours pieces, and we begin to lose our grip Angie McDonald friends made it of prayer? Perhaps we need to give on sticking with the program. spin faster and faster. The closer you ourselves an audible signal (cell phone were to the edge, the stronger the alarm?) that calls us to prayer, like the Again, it’s back to basics. Moment by centrifugal force that tried to throw Archabbey Church bells. moment, hour by hour, and day by you off. If you inched your way day, we will grow in stability as we toward the center, however, that same How are we doing with our lectio consciously choose to do those things force began to lose its grip on you. If divina ? Setting aside a time each day that keep us rooted in Christ. you made it to the middle of the to read, reflect upon and interact with spinning disk, that force would have Scripture helps keep us on track. Are Angie McDonald, oblate lessened to almost nothing. we feeling restless, bored or spiritually Huntingburg, IN dry? Perhaps the honeymoon has What does this have to do with our ended and the first flush of infatuation oblate promise of stability of heart? with the monastic life has faded. Daily life can sometimes feel like that merry-go-round. We don’t live in a monastery, but perhaps life would be We want you and your articles! less hectic and harried if we did. We The Benedictine Oblate invites you to submit news and information about your chapter, write an article about your Benedictine journey, submit a book review for the Reading Room column, or send in photos of you or your chapter engaged in oblate activities. All submissions must include your name, city and state, and an explanation of how it connects to the theme. Submissions will be edited and published as they fit the theme or need of the newsletter. Articles of 500 words or less are suggested. Please send all submissions to Kathleen Polansky at [email protected]. Upcoming themes and submission dates: Summer 2020 – Fidelity (Final date of submission May 1) Find EPISODES AT Fall 2020 – Obedience (Final date of submission Aug. 1) Winter 2021 – Humility (Final date of submission Nov. 1) www.saintmeinra d.edu/echoes 17 Stability: A basic tenet of spiritual life

Stability as a unsolvable remedies. I see this like resistant to change. This is what basic tenet in the happening in my church. Parishioners Benedict in his wisdom was trying to way of life was a leave the church because they dislike maintain in the minds of his monks. real concern for the priest, or they are not being fed by The grass was not greener outside the St. Benedict. him. Instead of facing the problem, monastery. Whenever he real or not, they run. This is not sent his monks stability. Monks in a monastery are The monks become resistant to on a mission confronted with problems, yet their change and firmly rooted to the that required first response is not flight. They live monastery. To grow, there must be Thomas J. Rillo traveling away by the Rule . roots to provide nourishment for from the monastery, he always sent an growth. How does this apply to older, mature monk with the younger The word “stability” comes from Benedictine oblates? We are called to monks. He knew there were “stable.” To associate the word maintain stability through prayer. temptations beyond the monastery, a “stable” with an individual, we attest Reading the Rule and praying the sort of “the grass is always greener on to the fact that one is unwavering and Liturgy of the Hours are excellent the other side of the fence.” stays the course, remaining loyal and ways of maintaining stability in totally committed and steadfast. Benedictine spirituality. Periodic I am a good example of this travel to retreats and other events by instability. As a teacher and professor The dictionary uses these words: the monastery of their oblation can at six institutions of higher learning, I firmly established, mentally and also maintain stability. moved to five colleges and universities emotionally healthy, steady in purpose before finding stability. There is and resistant to change. I especially Thomas J. Rillo, oblate something to be said about remaining Bloomington, IN in one place, committing to a specific place or situation. There is always a loss with instability.

Long-term relationships dissolve, such as ties with family, colleagues and friends, and the community. I initiated the moves because I felt there was more chance of job improvement and I would be a better provider for my family. Doing this stole the stability of my family with the community.

Numerous times I watched my daughter’s horses leave the middle of the pasture and move to the fence to nibble on the grass on the other side – the same grass that grew in the middle of their pasture. Society today is characterized by a lack of stability. Families are uprooted so that someone can climb up the vocational ladder.

The easy thing to do is to run away Scott McKee (fourth from the right), of the Muncie Oblate Chapter, received his First Communion on January 3. From left are other chapter members, Carol Sniadecki, Theresa Riddle, Dan Dalton (not an from that which is seen as the wrong oblate), Fr. Dennis Goth, Scott McKee, Debbie Miller, Mike Burns and Patsy Butler. Scott and Fr. situation, replete with seemingly Dennis are the oblate chapter coordinators.

18 Oblate News

Oblate Director Janis Dopp, Fr. July 11, 2020 : Saint Meinrad Day of VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED Meinrad Brune, OSB, and Br. Stanley Recollection with Fr. Christian Raab, Recent volunteers in the Oblate Office Rother Wagner, OSB, spoke to the OSB, presenting on the topic, were Br. Stanley Rother Wagner, OSB, monastic community about the oblate “Theology and Spirituality” Ann Smith, Mary Campanelli, Fr. community on February 5. Mateo Zamora, OSB, Br. Michael ANNIVERSARIES Reyes, OSB, Novice Simon Holden, O BLATIONS 25th : Remedios Anne Cabanilla of OSB, Becky Boyle, Marie Kobos, December 7, 2019 – Edward New York, NY; Mary E. Gallagher of Michelle Blalock, Ron DeMarco, Al Johnson, Nashville, TN; David Lacey, Shelbyville, IN; Helen Kite of Kovacs, Jennie Latta, Holly Vaughan, Hermitage, TN; Ellen Micheletti, Indianapolis, IN Craig Medlyn and Mark Milliron. N Bowling Green, KY; David Miller, Venice, FL; Mark Milliron and John 60th : John Busam of Huron, OH; Reynolds, Cincinnati, OH; Thomas Joyce Greenwood of Tell City, IN; Murray, Union, KY; Beverly Okey Angelo Musone of Lady Lake, FL Smugmug and William Okey, Newburgh, IN; 70th : Elizabeth Wollenmann of Mary Ortwein and Vicki Pettus, Ferdinand, IN N For more photos of Frankfort, KY; Matthew Whisman, Saint Meinrad events, visit: Louisville, KY. N http://saint-meinrad.smugmug.com INVESTITURES December 7, 2019 – Mary Desire- Oblate life: Annual personal evaluation Vibert, Sharon, OH; Alex Dye, West Liberty, OH; Cody Jellison, West To see how well you are fulfilling your vocation as an oblate of Saint Meinrad Baden Springs, IN; Fr. Michael Archabbey, reflect on the following questions. These questions are for your Keucher, Shelbyville, IN; Richard personal consideration and evaluation, so that you may see how you are growing Koerper, Auburn, IL; Jonathan Nord, as an oblate. We are convinced that if you sincerely reflect on these questions, you Kristi Nord and Philip Schraner, will deepen your relationship with God. And in doing so, you are truly growing in Jasper, IN; Rebecca Olsen, Yorkville, Benedictine spirituality as an oblate. IL; William Sabota, Schwenksville, 1. What have I done during the past year to continue ongoing formation as an oblate? PA; Jonathan Stotts, Nashville, TN; Lynn Leon White, Paoli, IN. N 2. What do I plan to do during the coming year?

DEATHS 3. How well do I see myself living the oblate promises: (Rate yourself on a scale of 1–5, with 1 as “needing improvement” and 5 as “doing well.”) Rita Marie Christ of Zanesville, OH, • Stability of heart? 1 2 3 4 5 February 22, 2018 • Fidelity to the spirit of the monastic life? 1 2 3 4 5 Margaret Schroder of Bronx, NY, • Obedience to the will of God? 1 2 3 4 5 December 17, 2019 4. How well do I see myself fulfilling the oblate duties: Elisa M. Testa of Landing, NJ, July • Praying the Liturgy of the Hours? 1 2 3 4 5 30, 2019 N • Reading from the Rule of St. Benedict ? 1 2 3 4 5 • Daily practice of lectio divina ? 1 2 3 4 5 UPCOMING EVENTS • Participating in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and April 24-26, 2020 : Oblate Council Reconciliation or in my own faith tradition’s prayer? 1 2 3 4 5 and Finance Committee meetings • Attentiveness to God’s presence in my ordinary, daily life? 1 2 3 4 5 June 8-11, 2020 : Saint Meinrad Study Days with Fr. Thomas Gricoski, OSB, 5. In what ways can I offer my time, talent and treasure to the services of the Oblate as the presenter on “Recollection” Community of Saint Meinrad Archabbey? June 13, 2020 : Investitures and final 6. If I need to improve in any of these areas, what do I plan to do? oblations

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Reading Room

A Course in Desert Spirituality by Thomas Merton with Jon spirituality are applicable for everyone. This is an M. Sweeney, editor. The Liturgical Press, 2019. opportunity for oblates to gain insight into Thomas Merton and learn from one of the 20th-century’s greatest Catholic As Benedictine oblates, many of us teachers. have read about the Desert Fathers and Abbot Anthony. The Desert Merton reveals how today’s materialistic and superficial Fathers were a group of young men world can learn from early desert spirituality. He takes us on who followed St. Anthony into the a journey into the desert to meet many Desert Mothers and Egyptian desert. Like Abbot Fathers and understand and grow with desert spirituality. Anthony, they wanted to escape the evils of urban living to have the time The study materials at the back of the book include primary to grow closer to God. source readings and thoughtful questions for reflection and discussion, suitable for oblate group discussion. It is similar These hermits offered blunt, simple answers to spiritual to what the Trappist novices heard from the master. The seekers, and they were believers of the words of Jesus book is an essential text for any student of Christian desert Christ. They lived a simple life in hermitage huts and spirituality. followed the adage, “Keep to your cell and your cell will teach you all things.” Through the brilliant mind of Thomas Merton, the book will take you on a journey that will make the Desert Fathers Editor Sweeney has taken the 15 lectures delivered to the and Mothers come alive. And it will introduce to the reader young monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani by Thomas one of the greatest Christian Catholic teachers of the last Merton to demonstrate what Merton believed was the century. means to spiritual life. This collection of lectures gets to the basics of Merton’s belief that monastic wisdom and Thomas J. Rillo, oblate Bloomington, IN