Oblate Director's Letter
December 2009
Dear Oblates,
Advent is always a season of new beginnings. Perhaps this has never been so true for us here at Mount Angel. We are lead into this holy season this year by a new abbot. Father Abbot Gregory's quiet prayerful presence in the community is a sign for us all to observe. The Sacred Scriptures call to us to prepare the way of the Lord, to be watchful, and to set things right. Our real hope for achieving these Advent goals lies in our ability to hear the Word of God so that we might respond in joyful obedience. A monk devotes himself to "listening with the ear of the heart" so as to receive the Word, and let Him take life within us. As Benedictines, we monks and oblates can offer our own quiet prayerfulness as as a witness to our hope that all things will be made right with the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We also have a new prior in the monastery. Father Vincent Trujillo, O.S.B. is well known through his work in the Abbey schools, local parishes and the Guesthouse. Now he takes up a new ministry as Father Prior of the monastery, running many of the day-to-day activities of the house. The prior is arguably the busiest man in the monastery, but Father Prior Vincent possesses a "servants heart," and that will keep him going, no doubt.
Father Odo Recker, O.S.B., a past Oblate Director, has been appointed by father Abbot Gregory as Subprior. He will continue his work in support of the Seminary as well as his new "fill in" work in the absence of the other superiors.
Some may be disappointed, but I'm not, to be re-appointed as Director of Oblates. I will also be returning to the Guesthouse as Guestmaster.
On behalf of Father Abbot Gregory and the entire community, we wish you all a holy Advent and a most blessed Nativity of the Christ.
Peace,
Fr. Pius X Harding, OSB
Director of Oblates
October 2009
Dear Oblates,
This past week we celebrated a lot of angels. The Abbey’s patronal feast was on September 29th, Saints Michael, Gabriel & Rafael, and all Holy Angels, and the patronal feast of our motherhouse, on October 2, the commemoration our Holy Guardian Angels.
Saint Jerome noted in his commentary on Saint Matthew’s Gospel that the fact of each and every person having a guardian angel tells us something of the importance and magnificence of the human soul. We are so dearly loved and cherished by our Heavenly Father that He has assigned an angel care for us, to guide and protect us, and to direct us to the place prepared for us in heaven.
An angel is a pure spirit. Like human beings they have both intellect and will, but unlike us, they have no material body. The have angelic being and the perfection of the powers proper to their created state, and historically we know they can manifest themselves to us in various forms. Their love for and devotion to God is absolute and irrevocable. They are totally and ceaselessly devoted to accomplishing God’s will.
What this means for us is that we have a constant heavenly companion who loves us with a truly divine love. Our guardian angels are devoted to helping us get to heaven. This is radical teamwork. We can never be alone. We are never without hope. Heavenly aid is only a prayer away.
Even though my guardian angel is no doubt exhausted from his labors, I plan on seeking even greater assistance in the future. I hope you will do the same.
Peace,
Fr. Pius X Harding, OSB
Director of Oblates
