MAGAZINE Volume 11, Number 3 Solemn Vows of Br. Peter Schults, OSB July 11, 2019 Feast of St. Benedict Publication of the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey Gaudete!REFLECTIONS FROM ABBOT LAWRENCE Love is a powerful force of God, he consecrated himself to God with solemn in our lives. True love is vows as a monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey. In doing so not a fleeting feeling or he gave himself completely not only to God and to the a selfish desire, nor is it Abbey, but also in a profound way to all of humanity what any prevailing but as a sign of the life-giving power of divine love. passing culture might call love. No. True love is a Pope Francis affirmed the universal nature of conse- force that motivates us to choose what is right, what crated life when he wrote in 2014: “Consecrated Life is just, and what is beautiful. True love moves us to concerns not only consecrated persons, but the entire choose what is profoundly meaningful to us in ways Church. Consequently, I ask the whole Christian peo- that others do not fully understand, and even in ways ple to be increasingly aware of the gift which is the that we ourselves do not at first understand. presence of our many consecrated men and women, heirs of the great saints who have written the history It is such a powerful love that stirs the hearts of those of Christianity.” who are called to consecrated life. Having encoun- tered the mystery of divine love, they respond by Himself a member of the Society of Jesus, Pope Fran- consecrating themselves fully to be living signs of the cis added, “We [in consecrated life] are called to know saving love of God revealed most perfectly in Jesus and show that God is able to fill our hearts to the brim Christ. with happiness; that we need not seek our happiness elsewhere; that the authentic fraternity found in our Referring to those who leave all behind to consecrate communities increases our joy; and that our total themselves in monastic life, St. Benedict writes: “It is self-giving in service to the Church, to families and love that impels them to pursue everlasting life; there- young people, to the elderly and the poor, brings us fore, they are eager to take the narrow road of which life-long personal fulfilment.” the Lord says: Narrow is the road that leads to life. They no longer live by their own judgment giving in Pope St. John Paul II emphasized the importance of to their whims and appetites; rather they walk accord- consecrated life today in his encyclical letter Vita Con- ing to another’s decisions and directions, choosing to secrata. He wrote: “The consecrated life has the pro- live in monasteries and to have an abbot over them.” phetic task of recalling and serving the divine plan for (Rule of St. Benedict 5) humanity… The specific contribution of consecrated persons… to evangelization is first of all the witness Monastic consecration is not well understood in to- of a life given totally to God and to their brothers and day’s world. Our contemporary American culture sisters, in imitation of the Savior who, out of love for emphasizes individual freedom, self-determination, humanity, made himself a servant.” (VC 73, 76) materialism, sensuality, mobility, immediate gratifica- tion. and utilitarian pursuits. Such a culture can hard- In an age that sadly experiences increasing loneliness ly grasp the idea of making a life-long commitment to and social divisions, the communal life that is the anything, let alone to a lifestyle that involves obedi- heart of monastic life provides the type of “prophet- ence, stability, chaste celibacy, individual poverty and ic witness” described by Pope St. John Paul II. Pope ongoing conversion. Francis puts it this way: “In a polarized society, where different cultures experience difficulty in living along- But this is precisely what Br. Peter Shults, O.S.B., did side one another, where the powerless encounter op- on July 11, 2019. In response to the mysterious love pression, where inequality abounds, we are called to MonksOK! is published four times per year by the Benedictine Monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey MonksOK! for our friends, Oblates, and sponsors. Summer 2019 2- MonksOK offer a concrete model of community which, by acknowl- edging the dignity of each person and sharing our respec- tive gifts, makes it possible to live as brothers and sisters.” Along with a prophetic witness to the value and possi- bility of authentic human community, those in monastic life also give witness to the importance of silence, prayer and reflection. Monastic communities also are able to offer hospitality to those who are seeking an experience of peace in their own busy and noisy lives. Pope Fran- cis reminded delegates to the 2018 Congress of Abbots of this important means of service. “In this age, when people are so busy that they do not have enough time to listen to the voice of God, your monasteries and convents Thank you! become like oases, where men and women of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and religions can discover the Giving through IRA’s beauty of silence and rediscover themselves, in harmony with creation, allowing God to restore proper order in Are you age 70 ½ or older and are required to take minimum their lives. The Benedictine charism of welcome is very distribution payments from your Individual Retirement precious for the new evangelization, because it gives you Account? Did you know that a charitable distribution from the the opportunity to welcome Christ in every person who account can satisfy the distribution without the tax liability? arrives, helping those who seek God to receive the spiri- Contact your plan administrator and ask for a charitable tual gifts He has in store for each of us.” distribution to your favorite charity be made today! We hope you will join us in giving thanks to God for call- Life Insurance Beneficiaries ing Br. Peter to our monastic community. We also ask that you pray to God to inspire and to strengthen many Have you updated your life insurance beneficiaries lately? more young women and men to embrace consecrated Prayerfully consider adding St. Gregory’s Abbey as a life, including Benedictine life at St. Gregory’s Abbey. beneficiary! It is an easy way to leave a financial gift to continue In this way we will continue to offer to the world a life to work of the Abbey. prayer, work and service, as well as an oasis of hospitality for all who seek peace. Gifts of Investments Investments such as Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds that have appreciated in value can be donated for the full-market value. Check with a licensed securities broker about how to make this type of gift. The donation of real estate, mineral rights and crops are another way to support the Abbey. Contact Abbot Lawrence for more information. Let's stay in touch through Flocknote! It's easy to sign up! Go to www.monksok.org and click on "contact us" to subscribe. If you have questions or comments about this publication, please address them to: Publisher: Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B. Editor: Theresa Bragg 1900 W. MacArthur Street Shawnee, OK 74804 Photographers: Br. George Hubl, O.S.B. and Theresa Bragg Phone: (405) 878-5491 E-mail: [email protected] www.monksok.org MonksOK- 3 Br. Peter Shults Makes Solemn Vows By April Wilkerson At the very beginning of his journey toward becoming a monk at St. Grego- ry’s Abbey, Br. Peter Shults could only describe what he was feeling as a hun- ger. He was content yet not at peace. He was accomplished but felt a longing for something else. His career was on a fast track, yet he couldn’t see its future. He eventually understood what he was ex- periencing: a hunger for the Living God. On July 11, he left behind his old iden- tify as Matthew Shults and took his sol- about Catholicism, began praying and, for the first time emn vows to become a lifelong monk as Br. Peter. It was in several years, I opened up my Bible.” the culmination of a process that unveiled itself to him over many years, yet it marked the beginning of his ser- During his senior year of college, he was confirmed in vice to God. Taking lifetime vows is a momentous step, the Catholic Church. He earned an accounting degree but Br. Peter came to know the deep peace of turning and began thinking about his next steps. He wanted to himself over to God. go to graduate school but didn’t have the money, so he decided to enter the Army in 2004. What he thought “The only way I know how to explain it is that I fell in would be a couple of years of military service turned love with Christ and His church,” he said. “He gave me into 10. He served the Army well, going on missions the opportunity to feel His grace, mercy and love, and I around Africa, Europe and the United States, and earn- wanted to be where He wanted me to be, and nowhere ing his master’s degree in accounting along the way. e l s e .” During what would be his final duty assignment in De- troit, he began praying intently about what God would Br. Peter’s roots are in Oklahoma – he grew up in Del have him to do. He visited with a spiritual director and City in a Protestant home.