Oblate Director's Letter
April 2012
Dear Oblates,
Resurexit Sicut Dixit, Alleluia, Alleluia! Christians, have greeted one another using this Easter salutation for centuries. For our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed won the Final Victory over sin and death. "He has risen as He said, Alleluia, Alleluia! And we rejoice now in the company of the Angels and the Saints.
How blessed we truly are to be loved to such an extent that the Father saw no sacrifice for us to be too great. Even the Passion and Death of His own beloved Son.
This great Mystery of God's Love is the very heart of our Catholic Faith. The reality of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is eternally lived through the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church.
God has fulfilled His promise to save us. All is made new in Christ. This is true, yet we look around and still we see the actions of the Evil One ravaging our world through war, hunger and oppression. Yes, the Devil has been defeated, he has no hope of success, yet out of hatred for all that is good, he chooses to leave in the wake of his retreat a "Culture of Death." Unfortunately, many have chosen this way of agony over the "Gospel of Life" which our Blessed Lord proclaimed from His glorious Cross. The Cross of Jesus Christ, far from a mere instrument of torture and death, is for us and all creation, the "Tree of Life." The Holy Cross is also the great Altar of Sacrifice where "God become Man" sacrificed His life as the Paschal Lamb, slaughtered for the atonement of our sins. Jesus is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the "Culture of Death" in our world.
As we rejoice this Easter in the Victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death, we can't forget that the effects of evil still defile our world. We know that the Victory is ours, and with every Sacrament we celebrate, and every act of charity we perform, we move deeper into the Heart of Christ and His "Gospel of Life." But we can't stop there. We can't stop until the prevailing "Culture of Death" is no more. We can't stop until all evil is overcome by love; not any so-called love, but rather, the love of Jesus.
If the Holy Rule is a way to better follow Christ's Gospel of Love, then it becomes the work of every oblate to love this world in which we live, not only with our own hearts, but with the heart of our Risen Christ - the very heart of Love. May His victory of love ever reign in our hearts. And may the "Gospel of Life" be our standard of victory.
Resurexit Sicut Dixit!, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Peace,
Fr. Pius X Harding, O.S.B.
Director of Oblates
January 2012
Dear Oblates,
The holy and joyful season of Lent begins this year on February 22nd, just over a month away.
Chapter 49 of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict requires the monks to submit to the abbot what they propose to do for Lent as a special good work (bona opera). They are to do only what the abbot approves, lest their good work become a source of pride. This has given rise to the custom of the Bona Opera. It is a form on which each monk submits to the abbot what he proposes to do for Lent. St. Benedict recommends “refusing to indulge in evil habits and devoting ourselves to prayer, reading, and self-denial.” Traditional Christian practices include prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Since the Bona Opera is a special practice for oblates as well, Abbot Gregory has asked that each oblate of Mount Angel Abbey be given the opportunity to participate in this Benedictine spiritual practice. St. Benedict asks that we also do some special reading during Lent. Some suggestions can be found on the oblate pages of the Abbey’s website: mountangelabbey.org.
As the role of technology continues to increase in our society it becomes all the more important that we “unplug,” seek silence and give our attention to prayer and reading. Lent is an opportunity to do this – and maybe a little exercise too!
Also, if you so wish to make an act of almsgiving as part of your Bona Opera, these offerings will go specifically to support the Oblate Association. Expenses include office equipment & supplies, mailing, travel for directors and retreat materials. Our budget for this year is about the same as for the last several years: $5,000. Your generosity will cover the expenses for this year and allow us to plan for next year.
Please complete the enclosed Bona Opera form and return it to the Director of Oblates along with any offering you may wish to make. Your Bona Opera will be signed and returned to you with the Abbot’s blessing.
Be assured of the community’s prayers for you during your Lenten journey and thank you for your participation in the Oblate Association. You are an important part of the prayer and work of Mount Angel Abbey.
Peace,
Fr. Pius X Harding, O.S.B.
Director of Oblates
