News Archives


April 2009


4/28/09

 

A Program for Teaching Benedictine Life

 

     Each year Benedictine formators from around the country conduct a workshop aimed at learning more about training and encouraging new monastics in their Benedictine vocation.  This year’s conference was held at the large monastery of St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, between April 14 and 18.  Fr. Joel Rippinger, O.S.B of Marmion Abbey in Aurora, Illinois, presented a thematic approach to teaching the Rule of St. Benedict to new members of monastic communities.  His practical, down-to-earth method is the product of many years of experience as his community’s formation director.


     Our formation director, Fr. Damien Gjonaj, greatly appreciated Fr. Joel’s sharing his method of instruction and very strongly agreed with the suggestion that “postulants” -those who are in the pre-formation stage one to six months after entering the community – should be given very simple lessons on Benedictine life while being introduced to the monastic form of prayer known as “Lectio Divina” or Sacred Reading.  Preparation of formators was also a major emphasis of Fr. Joel’s talks, because those who teach postulants, novices and newly professed need to be able take them as far as they wish to go in the study of monastic, spiritual and theological themes.

4/21/09

 

Celebrating Final Oblation

 

     This past Saturday, our community joyfully welcomed two new Oblates of St. Benedict.  Janet Baginski and Nancy Hall are both residents of Lake Orion, Michigan and live just a few miles from the monastery.  They have both complete a twelve month period of formation during which they studied the spirituality of our holy father, St. Benedict.  Their “oblation”, which they recited during a celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, marks a new phase in their association with our monastery and a commitment to apply St. Benedict’s wisdom in their daily walk with the Lord.


     We ask your prayers for our new Oblates as well as for our whole Benedictine family as we seek to support one another in doing God’s will in all things.


4/07/09

 

The Easter "Triduum"

 

       This week, our community will join with friends, family and Christians everywhere in celebrating the holiest days of the year: the Easter “Triduum”.  These “Three Days”, Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday mark the solemn commemoration of the central mystery of the Christian faith: the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

     In the monastery, the liturgical services are solemn and prayerful, yet simple.  The rituals surrounding the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion instruct us about service and sacrifice.  At the Easter Vigil, a lighted candle, representing the light of Christ, illuminates a darkened Church and a world in need of hope.  The triumphant Sunday Mass includes the renewal of our baptismal promises through which we share in the eternal life of Jesus.

 

     We encourage our readers to consult with their local parishes and take part in as much of the Easter Triduum as possible.  It is an extraordinary time of grace and prayer that can deepen our faith and love for God’s saving work in Jesus Christ.