Volume 31, Nr. 3, October 2001 Richardton, ND 58652
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Monastics and Oblates
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Monastics and Oblates in Dialogue
About 140 directors and oblates gathered for the biennial Benedictine oblate directors' convention at the end of July in Minnesota. Despite the heat wave, participants managed very well and were graciously welcomed with accommodations at both Saint John's in Collegeville, and at St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, the co-hosting communities. Sister Mary Anthony Wagner of St. Benedict's and Father Allen Tarlton of Saint John's were the coordinators, and members of the other three Benedictine women's communities in Minnesota (St. Paul, Crookston and Duluth) and their oblates prepared daily liturgies and the memorial service that is customary at the beginning of each convention for the deceased members.
The first pair of speakers, Hugh Feiss, OSB, and Rita Tybor, addressed the topic of oblates and monks seeking unity in diversity and life in the Trinity. Entitling their talk "Forming a Diverse Community: Benedictine Theory, Practice and Attitudes," they singled out three interconnected monastic practices in which monastics and oblates are formed for a life of reverence, awareness of the divine Presence and insights for growth. These are a vigorous prayer life, hospitality and mutual listening for discernment of the Spirit's work. They looked at three ways that oblates witness to the formation they have received: reverence for the diverse pieties of sincere Christians, receptivity toward the differences found in the Body of Christ, and recognition of the Spirit at work among all people, even in their differences.
The next presenter, Dr. Janet Buchanan of Roseburg, OR, spoke of the monastic archetype stirring in many persons beyond the monastery walls. Later, she was received in a brief but moving ceremony as an oblate candidate for the monastery of St. Brigid of Kildare, a new Methodist monastic home on the grounds of Saint John's. A talk by Father Columba Stewart touched upon primary values in the Rule of St. Benedict, and went on to focus particularly on the process of conversion as outlined in the chapter on humility.
In addition to the presentations, there was an interactive session involving presenters and audience. Business meetings were also part of the agenda. Although the organization originated for dialogue among directors of oblates, there are an increasing number of oblates interested in being a part of these meetings so that they can enjoy the wisdom of the speakers and get to know other oblates and directors from around the country. Recent meetings have offered the opportunity for any director to also be accompanied by two oblates. Consequently, there are now meeting sessions in the course of the convention where oblates meet separately from directors and also in joint session.
One product of these sessions was An Open Letter from the gathered oblates. It is available online as part of The Oblate 5:4 (2001). It is good to make it available here so that it may be seen, pondered, and discussed by other communities and oblate groups. |
OSB | ABA | AMNewsletter
The American Monastic NewsletterPublished in February, June and October | |
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Judith Sutera OSB |
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Renée Branigan, OSB |
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Adel Sautner OSB |
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