Monastics and Oblates; Mutual Blessings
by Norvene Vest, OblSB

Photos of the Annual Oblate Retreat 1999
"Oblates and Monastics Celebrate and Rejoice Together"
by Keith E.O. Homstad, OblSB

The Heaven Below
- Emily Dickinson

Summer In Missouri
by Lucie Johnson, OblSB

I Give Thanks
by Sally Zaharia

24 Oblates make their final oblation at St. John's,
photo essay by Keith E.O. Homstad, OblSB

New Oblate Candidates received at St. John's

Dates for Days of Recollection,
and for the Annual Oblate Retreat 2000

Local meetings of Oblates and Candidates

Here's a sample!  There are 11 photos in all.  Takes a couple of minutes to down load if you have a slow connection.

The next Annual Oblate Retreat will be 7-9 July 2000.
Mark your calendar!

North American Association
of Oblate Directors and Oblates
Summer meeting, July 1999

"Missouri in the Summer"

by Lucie Johnson, OblSB,  Saint John's Abbey

Puffy white clouds, the great bell banner, lots of green lawns and trees and cars lined up - - -
Evening Prayer on the Vigil of St. Benedict  is about to begin!

The new Oblates, having made their final oblation, sign the document and leave it on the altar.  This took place during Evening Prayer.  It was a warm day at St. John's, the breezes were coming through the large open windows, many were in shirt sleeves, and everyone was enjoying the fine summer day.  Abbot Timothy and the whole monastic community received the new Oblates, and welcomed the Oblates renewing their oblation. 

After Sunday Mass the bells were all ringing!  The monks gathered under the bell banner to greet their new solemnly professed brother, Br. Isidore Gyler, OSB, and all the Jubilarians, while the guests assembled on the lawn. 

Advent 1999
at the Abbey

12 December 1999

Lent 2000
at the Abbey

2 April 2000

Annual Oblate Retreat is
7, 8, 9 July, 2000

Dear God, how I revel in the fact you
Love me with a love "that will not let me go."
Looking back at things in this my life, I do
Not know of any other constant - so
Well-defined - so perfect - as this comfort for my soul.
So many things I've counted on - things
I thought were certain - definite and strong -
Have turned to dust and ashes - took wings
And disappeared - and those I thought would then belong
Forever in my life - on which I'd placed my whole
Heart and being - have come to such a sorry end.
But there YOU are are - never changing, holding out your arms to me -
My God, my Father, telling me that you will mend
All the pain - and more - that in this lifetime I will ever see.
That you alone will guide my way, my role
In life, and you alone will clear the troubles from my path -
Guide my way forever with your bright and holy light.
That I need neither dread your anger or your wrath -
Or fear the darkness - for your love is pure and bright
Enough to guarantee you'll see me to my final goal.