Notes to Oblates of Mount Angel Abbey

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 27, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Saint Benedict in chapter 48 of the holy rule writes that monks “are to occupy themselves in the labor of their hands and at other times in holy reading.” The Latin for holy reading is lectione divina, from which we derived the well known phrase of lectio divina, meaning holy or sacred reading. This commitment to reading by Saint Benedict’s monks was a path to God and a means of encountering Him. If the whole of their life of the monk is centered on Christ, then clearly holy reading played a pivotal role in making that a reality.

Lectio divina, or deep reading in the common language, is really a slow and prayerful reading of the word of God or even other texts. Through this practice of deep reading, the monk is opening himself up to God’s word and allowing God to transform his soul through that word. Deep reading is quite different from the type of reading we are used to. Most of us are familiar with speed reading and scanning headlines. If time is money, then I shouldn’t waste my time reading deeply but should scan to obtain the information I need. This mode of reading is analogous to gorging down our food. We hardly chew our food, and we don’t ourselves allow ourselves to savor the flavor. As a result our experience of eating is quite negative and we experience indigestion. So too with our reading. We do not allow a moving phrase to last within our hearts but simply go on to the next sentence. As a result we experience mental indigestion, that is, we have so many words clogged up within us that we are unable to think.

The monastic tradition hearkens us to read contrarily to the world’s way. This tradition tells us that we are to take the sacred text one word at a time, savoring every phrase and stopping when a word speaks to our heart. By doing so we are allowing God’s word to penetrate deep into our soul.  We are to savor and ruminate over the word of God, allowing all its flavor and nutrients to be absorbed by our souls.

This is the deep reading that we hope to share with the world, especially our oblates. I hope and pray that you can make this ancient monastic practice a modern one by incorporating it into your life.

Happy early feast of the Archangels!
Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

4 new Oblates.

5 new novices.

Annual monastic 5K run.

Oblate Calendar

2025
September
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

2026
Jan
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
15 – Feast of St. Maurus and Placid (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Feb
6-8 – Oblate Retreat. Br. Louis. Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son. 
8 – Oblate Sunday
10 – St. Scholastica (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
18 – Ash Wednesday
March
8 – Oblate Sunday
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
31 – Easter Sunday
April 
12 – Oblate Sunday
May
15-17 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Anselm. On the Most Holy Rosary.
June
14 – Oblate Sunday
18-21 – Oblate Study Days
21 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – St. Benedict Festival
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Aug
9 – Oblate Sunday –
Sept 
13 – Oblate Sunday –
18-20 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Ephrem.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Oct 
Nov
6-8 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Michael
8 – Oblate Sunday
Dec
8 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
13 – Oblate Sunday

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 20, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Although Saint Benedict only has two chapters dedicated specifically to the Abbot, Abbot Jeremy reminds us monks that the Abbot is virtually on every page of the holy rule. Indeed, everything rests on the shoulders of the Abbot, and for that reason, Saint Benedict speaks of “difficult and demanding burden” of being the Abbot (2:31). But what is the monk’s relationship to the Abbot? In the first paragraph of the chapter, Saint Benedict says two things I would like to note. The first is that the Abbot “is believed to hold the place of Christ,” and this takes an act of faith, for the Abbot is simply a man among men. We can easily find a fault in his character and choices and be tempted to see things only from an earthly perspective. Saint Benedict, following Saint Paul, reminds us that all authority comes from God (Rm 13:1). Therefore, we believe that God speaks and acts through the Abbot, and obedience to the Abbot or figures of authority is obedience to Christ. This teaching can prove challenging when our experience of authority can often times be negative. Did not Lord Acton say, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”? However, we know that even through figures such as Pontius Pilate, God can accomplish his will in ways we will never be able to fathom. Even a great Abbot is still imperfect, so we can do our part to see the world with spiritual eyes, to truly believe that God acts and speaks still through those in authority. When we find this challenging, we can ask for a deepening of faith.

The second point of note is that Saint Benedict says that, everything that the Abbot teaches should “like the leaven of divine justice permeate the minds of his disciples.” The Abbot as father is entrusted with a teaching office within the monastery. He, who has been transformed by the word of God, is called to transform his disciples through his words, and example too. One of the main teachings of Abbot Jeremy in recent years since the establishment of the Mount Angel Institute is the seven rich ways. I’m sure you have already heard about these, but can we not deepen our own understanding and practice of these rich ways. These rich ways are simply monastic values that we hope to share with the world. I think of you oblates in particular, since you are the hands and feet of the monastery and bring the monastic spirit into the world. Therefore, I would like to dedicate the next 7 notes specifically to the theme of the seven rich ways, taking one rich way per note. In doing so, I hope that your own life may be enriched by these ancient monastic values and practices.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Fr. Michael Shrum with his parents, brother, and Abbot Jeremy.

Dinner in the Abbot’s Dining room with the mayor of Engelberg (blue coat on the right) and the mayor of Mt. Angel (4th from the left).

Oblate Calendar

2025
September
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

2026
Jan
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
15 – Feast of St. Maurus and Placid (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Feb
6-8 – Oblate Retreat. Br. Louis. Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son. 
8 – Oblate Sunday
10 – St. Scholastica (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
18 – Ash Wednesday
March
8 – Oblate Sunday
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
31 – Easter Sunday
April 
12 – Oblate Sunday
May
15-17 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Anselm. On the Most Holy Rosary.
June
14 – Oblate Sunday
18-21 – Oblate Study Days
21 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – St. Benedict Festival
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Aug
9 – Oblate Sunday –
Sept 
13 – Oblate Sunday –
18-20 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Ephrem.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Oct 
Nov
6-8 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Michael
8 – Oblate Sunday
Dec
8 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
13 – Oblate Sunday

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 12, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Every seven years or so we are privileged with being able to celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on a Sunday. This day celebrates the finding of the Holy Cross by Saint Helena and the many graces given to men by its means.

The cross is loved by us Christians because through it the Father’s love was most fully manifested and our redemption accomplished. Hence, we can sing, “dear the wood and dear the iron, weight that hung on you is dear.” The cross was also the instrument of the Son’s loving obedience to the Father. As the letter to the Philippians reads, he became “obedient to death, even death on a cross”. By dying upon the cross, Christ modeled for us his teaching of love for the Father and for one another because there is no greater love than to lay down once life for once friends.

And so while we celebrate the exaltation of the Holy Cross today, we also remember that today is a feast of God’s infinite love. Never doubt even for a moment the depth and tenderness of God’s love for you. He loves not simply your soul, but your whole being, your body, your mind and all your emotions.

Therefore, in many Catholic spaces, we hang crucifixes, but how odd it would be for the crucifix to be without the cross. It is possible that we could simply hang a corpus the wall, but instinctively, we would know that something essential was missing. Like an image of the infant Jesus without his mother leaves the soul in want, so too, the corpus without the cross, lacks the fullness of the symbol. However, we often make this mistake spiritually. We want Jesus without the cross. We say just give me the corpus and that is enough. However, as the saints and experience tells us, it is by means of our everyday crosses that we are united more fully to Jesus. By saying “fiat” to our crosses, we receive the nails that bind us to Him.

With what words can the beauty and the wonder of the cross be described. As we are at a loss of words to describe the infinite love of God, so before the cross, we gaze in silent gratitude.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

New Novices. Br. Allen and Br. Andrew.

Br. Jonah with Fr. Abbot, Fr. Israel and family.

Oblate Calendar

2025
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

2026
Jan
11 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part IV.
15 – Feast of St. Maurus and Placid (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Feb
6-8 – Oblate Retreat. Br. Louis. Lectio Divina on the Prodigal Son. 
8 – Oblate Sunday
10 – St. Scholastica (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
18 – Ash Wednesday
March
8 – Oblate Sunday
9 – St. Frances of Rome (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
21 – Passing of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
31 – Easter Sunday
April 
12 – Oblate Sunday
May
15-17 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Anselm. On the Most Holy Rosary.
June
14 – Oblate Sunday
18-21 – Oblate Study Days.
21 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – St. Benedict Festival
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Aug
9 – Oblate Sunday –
Sept 
13 – Oblate Sunday –
18-20 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Ephrem.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
Oct 
Nov
6-8 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Michael
8 – Oblate Sunday
Dec
8 – Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
13 – Oblate Sunday

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
September 6, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Tomorrow’s gospel reading is one of those difficult sayings of Jesus. In the gospel we hear Jesus saying, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” What does that mean? Is Jesus telling us to hate everybody around us, especially those we are supposed to love the most? Does not the 4th commandment say that we are to honor our father and mother? Did Jesus not teach us to love our neighbor as ourselves? Whenever we encounter these passages, it is important that we not simply dismiss them, but rather, we are to dig deeper and try to penetrate the meaning of these words. How can we penetrate these hard sayings?

The Catechism gives us three points to guide our reading of scripture (CCC 112-114). First it says, “Be especially attentive ‘to the content and unity of the whole Scripture’”(CCC #112). As Catholics, we do not simply take a scriptural verse and run with it.  This can actually be quite dangerous. As the saying goes, “when we take a text out of context we use it as a pretext.” There is always the temptation of using the scripture to justify what we already believe rather than being formed by the scriptures. Second, the Catechism says, “Read the Scripture within ‘the living Tradition of the whole Church’” (CCC #113). What have the Church Fathers written about these verses? What have the popes and bishops written about these passages? How did the saints proclaim the text with their words and their lives? All these are reliable modes of interpretation, and we are safe in following their train of thought. Lastly, the Catechism says, “Be attentive to the analogy of faith. By analogy of faith we mean the coherence of the truths of faith among themselves and within the whole plan of Revelation” (CCC #114). We do not read scripture in an isolated box, but we read it with the light of faith. Therefore, the sacred scriptures are to be read in harmony with the faith, namely, everything that is professed in the creed. This gives us clear guidelines protecting us from errant interpretations of the scriptures.

This note doesn’t give you too much to think about in terms of spiritual reflection on the gospel reading, but perhaps, it will encourage you delve into it yourself as you struggle with these words of the Lord. This is the interesting thing about the scriptures. They are always challenging us to deepen our understanding and our faith, and sometimes it is more about the journey than the end.

There is a good book that helps people do Lectio Divina on the Sunday Gospels. It is published by Magnificat. I would recommend this to anyone is trying to deepen their own experience of this ancient monastic practice.

Our next Oblate Sunday is September 14^th with Br. Thomas giving the first of his four talks on the psalms. To sign up for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

You can now sign up for the oblate retreats for 2026. For dates and retreat masters, please click here.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Postulants – Br. Andrew and Br. Allen. They will begin their novitiate on Sunday.

Oblate Calendar

2025
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 30, 2025

Dear Oblates,

In the Gospel today, we see an interesting irony. The scripture tells us that the Pharisees were observing Jesus carefully so that they might find fault with either his action or his words. By doing so, they could discredit him as being an unworthy teacher. However, as the Pharisees were observing Christ merely to judge his external actions, Christ simultaneously is observing them but at a much deeper level. The text reveals that Jesus notices “how they were choosing places of honor”. Who is watching who now? While the Pharisees’ observation was intended for hostile condemnation, Christ’s gaze was aimed at life-giving conversion.

How might this apply to us? If we see ourselves in the place of the Pharisees, we can relate to their search for the faults of others, the splinter in our neighbor’s eye. The question must then be raised, “why do we search so intensely for the faults of others?” Perhaps, it is because we are afraid to look deeply at ourselves, knowing how ugly and tainted we are. It feels much better to look at the sins of others than to look into our own souls. The Pharisee who boasted of his good deeds–fasting and tithing–would fall into this category. He did not look or examine his inner conscience, but rather, he prided himself in his external actions and condemned the repentant tax-collector. How often do we turn our eyes outward to look at the sins of others and not those of ourselves?

A second reason why we might be watching carefully for the tiniest fault in others is that we feel insignificant about ourselves. Subconsciously, we believe that putting others down will make us feel better. Father Konrad Schaefer places Zacchaeus the tax collector, who was a short man, in this category. He reads the scripture passage about Zacchaeus in a psychological context. Thus, Zacchaeus was not only small in stature, but he himself felt little and unimportant. To boost himself up, he needed to make others feel little by exerting his power to tax them. How might we belittle others to make ourselves feel important?

This undisciplined form of observation is contrasted by the gentle and compassionate gaze of Christ. He sees everything, not simply what goes on the surface, but also the hidden movements of the heart. He can read our intentions and desires and can pinpoint with absolute precision a remedy for all our ills. This is what he does with the Pharisees. He notices that they are taking places of honor at table and that the motivation behind their action was rooted in pride. Therefore, he gives them practical advice. Take the lowest place. Invite the poor and lame to your dinner table. St. Benedict says, “In every place the eyes of the Lord are watching.” (19:1). We do not need to think of the eyes of the Lord as an over-demanding coach or a critical parent. Rather, we are called to think of the eyes of Christ as tender and gentle, always loving and always hopeful.

As we go throughout this day, may we look upon the world and people around us not with the critical eyes of the Pharisees but with the loving gaze of Christ.

There is a good book out there that helps people do Lectio Divina on the Sunday Gospels. It is published by Magnificat. I would recommend this to anyone is trying to deepen their own experience of this ancient monastic practice.

Our next Oblate Sunday is September 14^th with Br. Thomas giving the first of his four talks on the psalms. To sign up for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Nearly 100 seminarians with faculty and staff.

Br. Joseph’s Abbey honey. The third time’s a charm.

Oblate Spiritual Directors at Silver Falls. Can you spot the monk?

Oblate Calendar

2025
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 23, 2025

Dear Oblates,

I would like to use this note to simply give some concluding thoughts on the  pilgrimage and share some photos of significant side trips that we made. Going on pilgrimage was like an amalgamation of life’s journey. There were the ups and downs, the twists and turns, and the crosses and graces that entail every journey. However, the key was to simply persevere and keep one foot in front of the other, and eventually we arrive at our final destination. There are a few things that come to mind when I think of this pilgrimage. The first is that prayer was the bedrock upon which our pilgrimage was built. We had Mass every day at the various holy sites that we visited, and we frequently prayed the rosary or the Liturgy of the Hours together. God’s presence and the presence of the saints was quite tangible. The second point was that we did everything together as a group. One oblate mentioned that she went on pilgrimage last year to the same sites but went alone. Going on pilgrimage with others, she experienced so many more blessings. This echoes what Saint Benedict says in chapter 72 to the holy rule, where he writes, “together unto everlasting life.” Indeed, the fraternity and fellowship we shared with one another was one of the greatest blessings of being on pilgrimage. Lastly, we had to constantly adapt to the circumstances and change and revise the schedule. After the second day, I had to resign to the fact that I was not in charge. God was taking the reins, and everything would work out according to his will. Therefore, whether you go on pilgrimage or not, let us remember those three points: stability in prayer, doing things together and surrendering ourselves to the will of God.

Our next Oblate Sunday is September 14^th with Br. Thomas giving the first of his four talks on the psalms. To sign up for in-person, click here; for remote option, click here.

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

At the convent of Maria Rickenbach. This is the motherhouse of the Queen of Angels monastery in Mt. Angel. Unfortunately, like many convents and monasteries in Europe, they are on the decline and only have around 8 sisters. The convent is only accessible via a cable cart.

Flying over the Swiss Alps en route to Rome.

Steve and Suzanne Nickel renewing their marriage vows on the feast of St. John the Baptist at Santa Maria alle Fornaci in Rome.

Fr. Israel celebrating Mass at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

The tomb of Pope Francis at St. Mary Major. It was surprising not to see him in Rome, since we had anticipated a papal audience with him for over a year. May he rest in peace.

During the free afternoon on Friday in Rome, some of the pilgrims visited the tomb of St. Frances of Rome at the basilica that bears her name. On the marble are the letters “OBL”, aka, Oblate of St. Benedict.

At the bridge of the angels with Castel Sant’ Angelo in the background. Each of the angels bear an instrument of the Lord’s passion.

Group on the top of our hotel roof with St. Peter’s dome in the background.

Oblate Calendar

2025
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 16, 2025

Dear Oblates,

On the last day of our pilgrimage, on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, we visited the historic monastery of Monte Cassino Abbey, which was founded by St. Benedict in 529. He remained at Monte Cassino until his death in about 547. Throughout its history, it experienced great trials. The monastery was sacked by Lombards in 580 and was sacked a second time in 884 by Saracens. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the Abbey acquired a large territory around Monte Cassino, which was fortified with castles. In 1799, Monte Cassino was sacked again by French troops during the Revolution, and during World War II, it was bombed by the German military. Soon afterwards it was rebuilt, and in 1964 Pope Paul VI rededicated the monastery. Two things stand out when one visits Monte Casino. The first is that it is set on a lovely mountaintop with a 360-degree view of the valley. The second is that the monastery is enormous; unfortunately, there are only about 10 monks residing there. However, it is also the resting place of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica, and this was the main reason for our visit.

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Monte Cassino after WWII bombing. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

Rebuilt courtyard leading to Abbey Church.

Community High Mass with monks on the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. The gospel was proclaimed in Italian and English.

Abbot Antonio Luca with the Mount Angel monks. His receiving us was not in the itinerary, so we were pleasantly surprised that he took the time to greet us.

Window in the cell of St. Benedict. This is where he saw the soul of his sister St. Scholastica rise to heaven in the form of a dove. Some of us actually saw a few doves flying around.

Main altar in the Abbey church.

The Glory of St. Benedict by Pietro Annigoni (he’s on the bottom right of the painting). One of my favorite paintings. This image shows St. Benedict and many of his spiritual sons and daughters; there are over 1,000 Benedictine saints. This same artist painted the image of Bl. Fortunata Viti that is in the cloister in Veroli.

Crypt below the Abbey church designed in the Beuronese style.

The final resting place of our beloved father St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica. This was appropriately the last place we renewed our oblation together and one of the pilgrims was enrolled into the novitiate.

Oblate Calendar

2025
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 7, 2025

Dear Oblates,

The next Benedictine site we visited on our pilgrimage was the holy cave (Sacro Speco) in Subiaco, where Saint Benedict fled to from Rome in order to live with God alone. It was here that he spent three years praying in solitude and grew in virtue. Even today, although surrounded by extraordinary architectural and artistic masterpieces built over the course of centuries, the cave conveys the authentic sense of the flight from the world of Saint Benedict. The interior of the church is an extensive complex of small cells, and chapels—including one over St. Benedict’s own hermitage, and others hewn from the living rock. There are extensive frescoes dating from the 13^th to the 17^th century. In his cave, where a little spring of water was welling up, the entire group renewed their oblation. It was a powerful spiritual experience, and the presence of Saint Benedict was clearly felt.

Prayer request. Please pray for the eternal rest of Deanna “Teresa of Avila” Huseth, who passed away in June.  Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

The church and monastery of Subiaco is literally built into the side of a mountain. All three of the Benedictine sites we visited sat at a high elevation, which made me think that St. Benedict must have been an avid hiker. The Camino of St. Benedict, beginning in Norcia and ending at Montecassino, is gaining in popularity. In fact, one of our oblates, Jeff and his son, are doing the very camino right now. Please pray for them.

Aging fresco on church wall. Note how Christ and the children on the left are separated from the Pharisees on the right. Was it an intentional deterioration?

Fr. Ephrem prayerfully kneeling before the statue of St. Benedict in the holy cave. His right foot had to covered in metal because it was touched so many times.

Saying Mass at the chapel right next to the holy cave.

Afterwards, we went to the monastery of Santa Maria Dei Franconi. This is where Blessed Fortunata Viti lived. Mother Aloysia and the sisters welcomed us into their cloister and received us with all the warmth of charity. Mother Abbess did not speak English but had a translator translate her speech.

Picture of monks with the sisters. It is a small community with three sisters from Africa.

Group photo with the sisters. The mayor of Veroli is also in the picture (back middle, next to me).

Tomb of Blessed Fortunata Viti in the chapel. We prayed with the sisters that she may one day become a saint and then sang the Salve Regina together.

Oblate Calendar

2025
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
August 1, 2025

Dear Oblates,

In the 8th century a chapel was built in Norcia so pilgrims could pray at the site of St. Benedict’s birth. Monks came to Norcia in the 10th century, and remained in one form or another until 1810, when the Napoleonic Code forced the closure of the monastery. The current monastery was founded in 1998 by Fr. Cassian Folsom, an American monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. In 2016, Norcia was hit with a series of devastating earthquakes, the worst since the year 1900. This forced the community to relocate outside the city about 20 minutes away. A new monastery and chapel have been rebuilt, but they are still awaiting for the construction of a new church. In 2024, Fr. Benedict was elected as first Abbot of this newly reformed Benedictine community.

The monks and oblates made a long bus ride, 3.5 hours, to Norcia, but it was well worth the wait to be at Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica’s birthplace. We first stopped at the main plaza where the original church was built over the saints’ birthplace; however, we were unable to enter the church because it was still being rebuilt. After this, we took the bus up to the newly formed monastery a couple of miles away. On arriving there, Fr. Cassian warmly greeted us and gave us a wonderful conference. Using the other books in the Dialogues of Saint Gregory, he offered a hypothetical upbringing of Saint Benedict and Scholastica and showed how they could have been formed by the monks living in the area. This conference was recorded and you can listen to it here. Afterwards, Fr. Cassian led us to the monastery church for None; this is the three o’clock hour of prayer. The monks of Norcia pray the traditional Benedictine office all in Latin singing Gregorian chant; it was lovely. After None, we were pleasantly surprised by the oblation ceremony that followed. Two of their oblate novices–they were actually the parents of the oblate director–made final oblation. Afterwards, Abbot Benedict greeted us, and we took the long bus ride home.

You can now read Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “When Is Two and Two More than Four?” I am sad to announce that this is Br. Ambrose’s last article because he will be leaving the monastery later this month. Please keep him in prayer during this new stage of his life.

The Annual Oblate Day of Prayer will on August 27^th, the feast of St. Monica, from 9am-4pm. To sign up, please click here.

Prayer request. Please pray for the seminarians who are here for the Intensive Spirituality Program. This is a three-week retreat in preparation for studying Theology. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

The first day of Rome was spent around St. Peter’s square. We had a general audience with the Pope, and several zealous oblates got up early (5am) to get front row seats. The monks were not so zealous.

In the afternoon we visited St. Peter’s Basilica. In the center is Bernini’s baldacchino with the chair of St. Peter in the background. It was jam packed with people, especially getting through the Holy Doors. Some of us, including myself, went for another visit during our free time. This photo was taken when there was hardly anyone in the church; Romans don’t like to wake up early.

The Pietà

On the morning we went to Norcia, we had the choice of celebrating Mass by the hotel or at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. The choice was easy. Here we are celebrating Mass at the St. Benedict chapel. The major basilica is the residence of a Benedictine community. On the walls are images of all the Popes beginning with St. Peter; Pope Leo has yet to be placed alongside the others.

Here is a group picture at the main plaza in Norcia. Note the crane and construction in the background.

Praying None with the monks. There are about 20 monks in this community, and they are from 8 different countries.

Abbot Benedict presiding over oblation ceremony. It was interested to see that the novices held a candle in their hands during the rite, but they did not receive a Benedictine medal.

Mount Angel monks with Fr. Cassian. He says that he can recognize a Swiss-American hood from miles away.

Oblate Calendar

2025
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 24, 2025

Dear Oblates,

The next stop on our pilgrimage took us to Einsiedeln Abbey, Mount Angel’s great-grandmother house. The history of Einsiedeln Abbey began with the birth of Saint Meinrad in the year 800. St. Meinrad was educated in the monastery of Reichenau, an island between Germany and Switzerland, and was ordained at the age of 25. After making vows, he was sent to the upper lake of Zurich. At that time, he felt called to live as a hermit in the wilderness. In the year 835 he built his cell on a little plateau in the woods south of Zurich, where a spring bubbled forth below. It was here that he lived for 26 years as a hermit. After his death, hermits populated the dark forest, and in the year 934 Provost Eberhard convinced the hermits to form a Benedictine community. Thus, Einsiedeln Abbey began its history. The new church was built in the year 946 and was consecrated in honor of Mary, the Mother of God and St. Maurice. In the succeeding centuries, the monastery suffered from catastrophic fires in the year 1029, 1226, 1465, 1509 and 1677. After this last fire, the monks of Einsiedeln Abbey began to build a new monastery and church, much of which is still in place today. We were blessed to have been able to pray before the Black Madonna and celebrate Mass with the monks.

The Annual Oblate Day of Prayer will on August 27^th, the feast of St. Monica, from 9am-4pm. To sign up, please click here.

Prayer request. Please pray for continued success of the Bach Festival and for the kids concert on Saturday.  Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Facade of Einsiedeln, designed by Brother Kaspar Moosrugger. Abbot Maurus asked him to design a facade that would be “without too much pomp, but with harmonious proportions” and with accents on “two well articulated towers.”

Upper choir built in the year 1746. This is where the monks pray Vigils. Above the choir stalls are statues of holy bishops, abbots and monks.

View from the upper choir stalls looking down upon the lower sanctuary, where the monks celebrate daily Mass with the congregation.

Interior of the Abbey church. Br. Kaspar initially wanted to tear down the bell towers and create a new church, but a “famous Milanese archtitect” decided otherwise and created a three-tier system to the church: 1) a spacious centralized room around the chapel, 2) a nave with pillars, and 3) a large ornate dome (notice statuary and frescoes).

Our Lady of Einsiedeln, also known as, the Black Madonna. The original chapel was consecrated to Our Lady in 934, and beneath the chapel was a spring that had medicinal properties.

Monks in crypt with Fr. Philippe, director of pilgrimages. Fr. Philippe studied at St. Meinrad Abbey in Indiana, so his English was quite good. In the Middle Ages, Einsiedeln was a popular stopping place for pilgrims going to Rome and Compostela.

Renewal of oblation in crypt chapel.

Oblate Calendar

2025
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 18, 2025

Dear Oblates,

The Abbey of Muri was founded by the illustrious House of Habsburg in the year 1027. The new foundation drew its monks from the Abbey of Einsiedeln. The disastrous fire in the year 1300 checked its growth and prosperity. After the Protestant Reformation, Dom John Singisen proved himself to be a second founder of this monastery and extended his care to other Benedictine houses in Switzerland by sending monks to half ruined monasteries. The Abbey of Muri proved itself to be a stalwart in Swiss affairs; however, with the spread of revolutionary ideas, the state seized the Abbey and its estates, and the monks were dispersed, eventually landing in Tyrol, Italy. The monks continue there to this day. Despite being a defunct monastery, the spirit of God and prayer still exudes in this ancient space. The oblates and I were very blessed to visit this place as part of our pilgrimage.

An oblate recommended a nice article connecting the value of stability to the domestic life.

The oblate and employee discount ticket page for the 2025 Bach Festival is now available

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

The interior of the Abbey Church, built in the 17th Century.

A close up of the sanctuary.

Ornate choir stalls built in the 17th century. It is interesting to note that the choir stalls in all three monasteries in Switzerland were very similar, ornate and dignified. I find them quite fascinating.

The crypt of the church. This is the most ancient part of the building. God’s presence was quite tangible in this space.

Afterwards, we went to Sachseln, where we visited Bruder Klaus, the patron of Switzerland. After being married for 25 years and having 10 kids, he retired to live as a hermit and survived solely on the Eucharist for over 20 years.

The bed and pillow of Bruder Klaus’ hermitage. From there he had a view of the local church.

Votive offering in thanksgiving to Bruder Klaus for answered prayers. Note the many babies, eyes and legs.

20 new Hispanic Oblate Novices.

Oblate Calendar

2025
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
July 8, 2025

Dear Oblates,

For the next several “Note to Oblates,” I would like to write about the Oblate pilgrimage to Switzerland and Italy.

Engelberg Abbey was founded by Konrad von Sellenburen, a nobleman whose castle stood on a spur of the Utiliberg (a mountain) near Zurich. At his request, the first monks and their Abbot Adelhelm came from the Abbey of Muri in Aargau in 1120 to found the new monastery.

After traveling from different parts of the country, around 30 Oblates along with Brother Jesse, Brother Ignatius and me, arrived at the airport in Zürich, Switzerland. We took a very breathtaking drive to Engelberg Abbey, passing through the majestic Alps, the beautiful lakes and the green vegetation lying about the valley. So lovely was the scenery that it felt like a dream; indeed, Wadsworth wrote a very lovely poem about Engelberg entitled, “The Hill of Angels”. Upon arrival, we celebrated a private Mass at the church of Engelberg Abbey. Afterwards, we were welcomed by Abbot Christian and the friendly mayor, who invited us for drinks on two separate occasions.

The next day we had lunch in the guest house dining room with several monks. The hospitality they provided and the excellence of the meal would have been met with an applause from our holy father Saint Benedict. Afterwards, Fr. Kuno gave us a little tour of the Abbey, where he showed us part of the monastery archives. Of a note were the miter and crosier of Engelberg’s first Abbot, Abbot Adelhelm, a 13th century manuscript of the holy rule in Latin and German, and the lovely baroque church and grand tabernacle built in the 18th century after the fire of 1729, like mother like daughter.

There was a sense of intense gratitude for all that our forefathers sacrificed to make Mount Angel’s founding possible. It was delightful to see the image of Abbot Anselm Villager, founding Abbot of Mount Angel, hanging in the guesthouse dining room.  Perhaps the greatest source of disappointment came from the fact that the future of Engelberg seems in danger, not the first time in its 900 year history, but currently they only have only 15 monks and the average age is over 70. Perhaps, this is a simple reminder to us that while we are here on earth, all things will change and come to an end. Only God never changes and will endure forever.

As Catholics and monastics, we are friends of our tradition; we revere and honor those who have gone before us, and we hold as sacred what they have handed on to us. As we think about Mount Angel, let us recall with gratitude all that the monks of Engelberg did for us, and pray for their eternal rest and for their spiritual and temporal needs.

The oblate and employee discount ticket page for the 2025 Bach Festival is now available.

You can now read Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “I Hated Them with a Perfect Hatred.”

Prayer request. Please pray for the 34 new seminarians who arrived this weekend. Please also pray for the success of the Saint Benedict Festival this Saturday. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.
Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Engelberg Abbey with original Mount Angel, Mount Hahnen in the background. The abbey was dedicated to “Mary of the Holy Angels,” a title attributed to a tradition that a choir of angels was frequently heard singing at the site.

Wing of the Abbey, where the school is located. The Abbey is a major influence in the small town.

Abbot Christian giving us a welcome speech and inviting us into the Abbey Church for prayer.

Abbey Church

Lunch at the Abbey guesthouse. Note portraits of the Abbots.

Portrait of Abbot Anselm Villager, founding Abbot of Mount Angel Abbey in 1882.

13th century manuscript of Holy Rule.

Miter and Crosier of Blessed Adelhelm, first Abbot of Engelberg.

“Official” group photo with the Mayor of Engelberg (middle row, far right). He will be coming to Mt. Angel, Oregon for Oktoberfest this year.

Oblate Calendar

2025
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
June 7, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. It has been fifty days since the glorious resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday, and with this feast we will conclude the Easter season. One way to understand the feasts in New Testament is to look at stories which are related to them in the Old Testament. For the feast of Pentecost the corresponding story is that of the tower of Babel from the book of Genesis but in the opposite way. You may recall that in that story all the people spoke one language, and they wanted to build a tower up to the heavens. However, God caused great confusion and division for all other people when he made many languages out of the one, so that they could no longer build this tower to the heavens.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we see the exact opposite thing happening. The Holy Spirit comes upon Our Lady and the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. As a result of this, those who spoke one language began to speak in many different tongues, that is, languages, and they boldy proclaimed the marvels of God. In this case, as opposed to at Babel, there was harmony and unity as a result of God‘s intervention. The Holy Spirit brings unity and clarity in the Church and gives the Church the grace of proclaiming Christ’s death and resurrection, and as a result, many are converted. We hear of these stories in the Acts of the Apostles, how thousands were converted to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ because of the unity and faith of the believers. This is the unity for which Jesus prayed after the last supper when he prayed “that they may be one” (Jn 17:11). In our lives, let us be open to the unifying work of the Holy Spirit, and be aware of the many ways in which the devil is attempting to sow seeds of division. Let us truly be one body for we all partake of the one loaf.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Community photo at the end of our retreat.

Our retreat master, Fr. Ignacio Llorente, SSJ, with Abbot Jeremy.

Oblate Calendar

2025
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
May 29, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Today, the Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord–Sunday for most of the US. Christ in his divinity and humanity is lifted up and has taken his seat at the right hand of the Father. The Catechism describes the theology of this saying, “By ‘the Father’s right hand’ we understand the glory and honour of divinity, where he who exists as Son of God before all ages, indeed as God, of one being with the Father, is seated bodily after he became incarnate and his flesh was glorified.” (CCC 663). It was not for himself alone that he descended and ascended but for us. In the Collect for Mass, we pray, “where the head has gone before glory, the body is called to follow and hope.” Through our baptism, we have been mystically incorporated into the body of Christ. If we remain in him and he and us, we will follow him in hope to the Kingdom. There, with unveiled faces, we shall gaze upon the glory of the lord.

This is all possible because of the mystery of the Lord‘s Incarnation through which we are able to see him with our eyes, hear him with our ears and touch him with our hands. We can say with St. Thomas in faith, “my Lord and my God.“ It is this Jesus, who walked among us, taught us, healed us, fed us and loved us, who was taken up into heaven. Our retreat master Fr. Ignacio told us during the retreat that after the Ascension of the Lord, there is now a human heart in the Trinity. The heart that loved us in time on earth continues to love us eternally in heaven. That is amazing to consider. Our humanity has been taken up with Jesus into the heart of Trinity, and in the heart of the Father, our humanity and our hearts find healing, love and peace.

The Oblate Picnic this year is on June 15. The Abbey Mass will be at 10am, and the picnic will follow afterwards. The cost is $15/person, children under 18 can attend for free. To sign up, please click here. Today is the last day to sign up.

Br. Ambrose’s latest article entitled, “Happy . . . Deathday?” is now available online.

Prayer request. Please pray for our monks who are in pilgrimage in Switzerland and Italy. They are Br. Alfredo, Br. Anselm, Fr. Charles and Br. Thomas. Please also pray for our good friend Archbishop Vlazny, who recently passed away. Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

The one new novice.

The 15 New Oblates.

Oblate Calendar

2025
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
May 23, 2025

Dear Oblates,

As many of you know, the monks were on retreat this week–we just finished. Thank you for your prayers! While there were many excellent points, I share with you just one. Father Ignacio said that the charism of the St. John Society is to prolong the public life of Jesus. They do this by their preaching and teaching, ministering to the poor and the sick, and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. Then, he said that the Benedictines prolong Jesus’s prayer to the Father. That was a very beautiful thought that stuck with me. I had never thought of my daily life of prayer, especially the liturgy in those terms, but how true it is. Liturgical prayer is the Church joining Christ in His eternal praise of the Father. Every time we open up our prayer books or prayer phones, we are entering into the heavenly palace, where the Church as bride is united to Christ her bridegroom in the eternal praise of the Father. Therefore, while prayer may be spotty, challenging or even unfruitful, I think it can give us something of a boost to look at it in this way. Through our prayer we become those branches that remain in Christ the vine.

This also made me think that because of the incarnation, everything we do can be thought of as a prolongation of the life of Jesus. Do you work? Think of it as a prolongation of Jesus working in the carpenter shop. Do you teach? Think of it as a prolongation of Christ’s teaching ministry. Do you do domestic chores? Think of it as a prolongation of Christ’s hidden life. This can be true of all our work because of the Sacred Humanity of Jesus. He has sanctified the mundane, so that the mundane can be divinized. We can be caring for the sick, giving words of encouragement, traveling, eating, listening or cleaning. In all these events we can think of it as a means of being united to Christ in his humanity and a prolongation of his earthly existence, and a mode of participating in his divinity.

The Oblate Picnic this year is on June 15. The Abbey Mass will be at 10 am, and the picnic will follow afterwards. The cost is $15/person, children under 18 can attend for free. To sign up, please click here. Hispanic oblates are asked to contact Br. Ignatius.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

2025
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles. On Self-Knowledge According to St. Catherine of Siena.
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
May 16, 2025

Dear Oblates,

Habemus Papam!

I feel a bit late in issuing this note, since by worldly standards, it is already old news, but in the monastery we speak of monastic time, which means that things happen a bit more slowly here.

I felt much more engaged during this conclave than the last one although I read very little going into the election and have not read much since. I was reading in the library when someone made the announcement, “There is white smoke!” “Oh my,” I thought to myself, “that was quick.” I took a little look at the live-stream video and then suddenly heard the pealing of the Abbey bells. I went outside and saw seminarians, chattering and shouting for joy, “Habemus Papam!” Waiting for the new Pope really gave me a sense of the universal nature of the church. Over one billion Catholics and many more around the world were waiting in anticipation of who this next Pope would be, and how shocked we were when he came out on the balcony, the first American Pope. Robert Francis, how American, taking the name of Pope Leo XIV. Like many others I looked him up and discovered that he was from Chicago, educated at Catholic Theological Union, Villanova and the Angelicum, then spent ten years as bishop in Peru and was made a cardinal only two years ago. How did it happen that he got elected? It must have been the work of the Holy Spirit.

Although I have not read much about the new Pope, I did appreciate his first homily, not simply because it began in English, but because the content was Christocentric. Pope Leo emphasized the divinity of Christ professed by Saint Peter, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.” This truth has been revealed to the apostles and has been handed down for 2,000 years, and now it was his job to proclaim it. This is opposed by the two ways that the world sees Jesus. One way sees him as insignificant  and the other as simply an upright person. It is to the these people that the gospel must go out.

In order for us to do this, Pope Leo says that we need to make a “commitment to a daily journey of conversion,” which requires so much humility. Only when we ourselves are converted will we able to convert the world. Towards the end, he spoke some astonishing words, “it is to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified, to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love him.” For Pope Leo these are not merely words. He seems to prefer to be unknown, hidden and remain quiet in prayer. For example, he made a visit to the Augustinianum in Rome, where Fr. Israel is studying. The residents there waited in anticipation like teenage girls for a Taylor Swift concert. When he did come out, Fr. Israel shouted, “It’s our Pope! It’s the Pope!” Pope Leo simply made gesture of acknowledgement and left. Despite the high dignity of his office, he only wants to step aside so that Christ may shine forth. May it be the same for us.

The Oblate Picnic this year is on June 15. The Abbey Mass will be at 10am, and the picnic will follow afterwards. The cost is $15/person, children under 18 can attend for free. To sign up, please click here. Hispanic oblates are asked to contact Br. Ignatius.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

2025
May
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles. On Self-Knowledge According to St. Catherine of Siena.
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III

A Note to Our Dear Oblates
May 9, 2025

Dear Oblates,

“My Father . . . Is Greater Than All”
John 10:29

It seems a little odd to write a regular note after the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, but so it is. Perhaps, when things have settled down a bit, I will share some reflections about this historical event, the first American Pope!

Some time ago, I was speaking with a friend about some of the crosses I was struggling with. She replied with what seemed to be an incomplete sentence saying, “God is greater.” Instinctively, I asked, “Greater than what?” She said again, “God is greater,“ and then added, “God is greater than everything.“ In some ways, this is an echo of what Jesus says in the gospel, “My Father . . . is greater than all”. That statement of “God is greater” needs no modification or qualification. The thought is complete and true, and it can totally transform one’s outlook and attitude in any given situation.

For example, perhaps, you spoke harsh words to someone you love and find it difficult to forgive yourself. Remember that “God is greater“. God is greater than our sins. His love and mercy is deeper than the depths of our own wretchedness. That should help us regain a sense of peace, for every sin can be an occasion of a felix culpa, a happy fault. Why? Because God is greater than sin.

Another case, let’s say you are having a difficult time with your boss. He is mistreating you, doesn’t listen to you and hasn’t given you a raise in years. What is one to do in such circumstances? Leave? Perhaps yes, but perhaps no, but if we simply call to mind the fact that “God is greater,“ we can regain our peace. God is greater than our boss, and God is ultimately in control.

A last example. Let’s say you are simply overwhelmed with life. You have to work, take care of the kids, take care of your parents, help out at the school, maintain your relationships, and you wonder on top of all this, how you can maintain your life of prayer. But do not worry and recall that God is greater. God is greater than our weakness, our anxieties and our limitations. For when we are weak, then God is strong in us. Yes, he is so great and powerful that he can make the best of even unfortunate circumstances.

Therefore, when a cross comes your way, take a step back, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “God is greater.“ God is greater than this cross. God is greater than this situation. God is greater than this person. God is greater than me.

“My Father . . .  is greater than all.” Amen.

Next Tuesday, May 13 at 8am, Abbot Jeremy will offer a Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving for Pope Leo XIV. All are invited to pray with the monks for the new Pope.

Prayer request. Please pray for all our students who will be graduating tomorrow, a few monks included.  Please know that you can always send your prayer requests through our Oremus program.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John Paul, OSB
Director of Oblates

Oblate Calendar

2025
May
11 – Oblate Sunday: Fr. Martin – John Cassian On the Goal and End of the Monk.
23-25 – Oblate Retreat. Fr. Charles. On Self-Knowledge According to St. Catherine of Siena.
June
15 – Oblate Picnic
July
11 – Solemnity of St. Benedict. (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
12 – St. Benedict Festival
August
27 – Oblate Day of Prayer
September
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part I.
19-21 – Oblate Retreat: Br. Thomas. From Head to Tail: Life and Death in the Book of Jonah.
29 – Solemnity of Archangels (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates).
October
November
7-9 – Oblate Retreat: Abbot Peter
9 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part II.
December
8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (plenary indulgence may be obtained by oblates)
14 – Oblate Sunday: Br. Thomas. The Psalms, Part III