This past weekend the Oblates of St. Walburg Monastery were invited to participate in the Annual Retreat and Renewal weekend. Over the past several years, those who could, gather for the weekend, some staying overnight at the Guest House and others joining in the sessions in the Lower Level meeting room. Sr. Dorothy Schuette had invited them to help choose the topic related to Benedictine spirituality for the weekend.
This year the topic was “Making Time Holy: LOH.” Praying the Liturgy of the Hours is a big part of monastic life. The sisters gather in chapel four times a day to pray together Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer. Oblates are not able to gather like that regularly, but they pray as they can using the Psalms and the Gospel Readings, remembering that they are praying with the Church, for the World, as the community is. Sister Dorothy helped us identify the meaning of each of the Hours related to the time of the day or night. On this weekend the Oblates prayed with the community as many of the hours as they could while here. They really appreciated that opportunity. (See photo of the Retreat Group)
They also joined us for Mass and meals. On Sunday, at Noonday Prayer, the Oblates gathered with us in chapel. The prayer concluded with the Oblate Renewal Ritual. Each year the Oblates renew their Oblation with the community. They sign a form with this intention, which is placed on the altar. This year 35 Oblates renewed their Oblation. Ten of them were present with us in chapel. We also congratulated those celebrating their 25th and 20th years as Oblates.
It was in 1985 that the community first offered women and men the opportunity to bond with the community as Benedictine Oblates. Many of the Oblates have grown old with the community. Two of the current Oblates each celebrated their 95th birthdays recently. Both are able to come and worship with us. I asked one of them, Tom S., what it meant to him to be a Benedictine Oblate. His response, “Everything. It changed my direction. I am closer to the Church, Mass, and Praying the Hours every day: Morning Prayer, Mass, reading the Gospel, doing Lectio.” He used to come to the monthly Gatherings, but now depends on a ride, when he is feeling OK. The other Margie M., who joins us for Mass most Sundays without a cane or walker and drove herself until recently.
The Benedictine Oblates seek God through a life based on hospitality, peace, moderation, balance in prayer, work and play, and meeting God in the ordinariness of daily life. They are bonded together to “seek God” according to the vision of St. Benedict. To assist them in this endeavor, they come to gatherings on second Saturdays, to form community, do Lectio Divina together, have discussion around an article, a book, or an audio/visual presentation. Recently we encouraged the Oblates to share their skills in with the planning and running of these gatherings. There is now a core team to help plan these events. I have been the Director for 32 years now, and Sr. Dorothy has become my assistant, but it is time for the Oblates themselves to take ownership of this ministry. They are excited to do so. One of the treasured events is the Annual Ice Cream Social for the Sisters, when the Kentucky Dulcimer Club plays their favorite selections. Everyone shows up for this event, which closes with bingo until the prizes run out.
If you are interested in becoming a Benedictine Oblate, just give us a call, we would love to welcome you and help you to find out more about this opportunity.
