An Oblate's Commentaries on Benedictine Spirituality

Over a period of fifteen years I have written for the Benedictine Oblate newsletter and various other Oblate publications. Usually the topic of the article was suggested by Father Meinrad Brune, OSB, Director of Benedictine Oblates, Saint Meinrad Archabbey, and in keeping with the theme of the newsletter selected for the year.

Many of the articles in this collection of oblate commentaries were written and published in past Benedictine Oblate newsletters.

The various sections represent the various themes selected by Father Meinrad Brune, OSB, and assigned to me for the writing. Much of the research has been accomplished using the extensive Oblate Library located in the Oblate Office. The resource material has been readily available. Computers were available and much of the writing was done on them in the Oblate Office.

The longest section in this collection is the one titled: Oblation: Growing Closer to God. In this section I have attempted to include those aspects of oblation that are most confronted by Benedictine oblates both those who are novices and those who are invested. The next longest section is the one titled: Commentaries on The Rule of Saint Benedict. The literary commentaries of nine Benedictine authors were selected by Father Meinrad and assigned to me. Four major chapters in The Rule of Saint Benedict were selected. because of their significant importance to the monastic life. The Prologue, Humility, Obedience, and the Restraint of Speech or Silence were included, because of their applicability to Benedictine oblation as well as to the Benedictine monk. The section of Oblate Fitness for God is the smallest with just two articles. Emphasis is placed on the concept that the human body is a temple for God and related to the mind. Two other sections are: Extending Oblation through Service and Experience and The Rule of Saint Benedict: Oblates’ Guide for Work and Prayer. It is intended that the oblate reader will be eclectic in the reading and select them on the basis of contemporary need.