OBLATES St. Benedict Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow, VA 20136 SPRING 2012
Phone: 703-361-0106 Email: oblates@osbva.org
Easter Greetings from Sr. Charlotte and Kathy Frick, Oblate Co-Directors On this beautiful Monday morning of Holy Week the flowers are in bloom and the trees are bursting forth their blossoms. Lent is almost over and the promise of Resurrection fills the air. We are pondering all the wonderful blessings of the past year. This May 12 we will receive 12 new oblates and 7 pre-candidates into the novitiate. For the first time our novices attended a day of reflection to help discern their final commitment. Presentations were given on the Life and Miracles of Saint Benedict, Community, the Rule of Saint Benedict and understanding the meaning of the Oblation promises. In February we had the privilege of having Esther de Waal give the Oblate Retreat. About 150 people, including the Sisters, attended. Inside this issue we will have some great articles on her presentation. Our oblate community in Richmond moved from its original location at Saint Gertrude High School to Saint Bridget Church. Thank you Saint Gertrude for all the years of generous hospitality you have given us. Sharon Hennessy- Bonas is the new Dean of our Nevada group and is doing a fantastic job. Valerie Nunes and Mary Johnson made their oblation and two novices, Sharon Maloney and Kim Shrum , were received last September. We look forward to our annual trip out west in September.
In September we had a pot luck supper for the Sisters. The oblates provided the food and Zac Quintana, son of Gillian Quintana, provided entertainment for us. The oblates will host a picnic with the Sisters on July 14, 2012 in honor of the Feast of Saint Benedict. We have added new members to our Oblate Council this year. In Bedford we have Ruth Bailey and Nancy Eck. From Richmond we have Mary Jane Hansen and from Bristow Gillian Quintana. Thank you for saying yes to this worthwhile service.
This has been a year of growth and awareness of what we as Benedictine oblates are called to be and to do. Esther reminded us to be good stewards of the earth, and to listen with the ear of our hearts to all the ways Benedict speaks to us and challenges us in our everyday lives. In closing we would like to thank all of you for your commitment to the oblate way of life and all you do to spread the charism and the ways you have supported the Sisters of Saint Benedict Monastery. May your heart be filled with joy as Easter breaks upon us and may you experience the fullness of the resurrection and be filled with peace.
A DAY WITH ESTHER AND BENEDICT by Katherine Frick, Obl.S.B. In a day filled with notable statements, Esther de Waal offered one that has continued to resonate with me. Esther visited Bristow in February to lead a day of reflection for the Oblates and Sisters of the Monastery, giving three presentations on St. Benedict, the Rule, and our relationship to stewardship and the environment. In one of her morning presentations, Esther suggested that Benedict ought to be considered a patron saint of the environment, along with St. Francis. The difference, she said, could be seen in the choice of footwear. “St. Francis wears sandals and sandals encourage you to go wandering about. Benedictines wear shoes. If you wear shoes instead of sandals that is a statement of stability.” She expanded on this by reminding us that as Benedictines we are “rooted in one good place,” as Thomas Merton once said. Our rootedness makes us logical caretakers for the land entrusted to us. The Rule calls us from the very beginning to listen and it is a listening that requires our full attention and our full response. Chapter 66 admonishes the monastics to have within their monastery the water, the mill, the garden and the necessary crafts to support their livelihood. From this directive Benedict is also implicitly stating their duty to care for that place and the goods tied to it. “You cannot take the land apart from the human beings who have lived on it and formed it,” Esther explained. Discussing Chapter 32 (the tools and goods of the monastery), Benedict was asking his monastics to care for what was entrusted to them, not as personal possessions but as something belonging to all.
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Going deeper into the spirit of this chapter Benedict is asking the uncomfortable questions of “How do I handle tools and materials goods? How do I handle myself? Other people? How do I handle my relationship with God?” She went on to say that today we can live out the spirit of the Rule as a practical protest against the waste and damaging of creation. One way of doing so was to repeatedly ask ourselves the question: ”How did it flourish in my hands? How did I treat it so it became more of itself?” The it in the question can be material goods, relationships, and the earth itself. If we do not carefully tend whatever is entrusted to us, we contribute to what is damaged and ailing in this world. Again, she returned to the word listen, quoting an apartheid bishop who encountered the Rule and responded by saying, “Listen. How much that is the key. How much of our pain and suffering comes from our failure to listen to a hurting people?” It was a rare privilege to have such a notable Benedictine among us. The day was filled with wisdom and new images of the Benedictine life. Members from three of our deaneries joined with the Sisters in celebrating the Rule that makes us one. Chapter 67 of the Rule states that “all absent (sisters) should always be remembered at the closing prayer of the Work of God.” We offer our thank, blessings and prayers for Esther’s visit among us.
Lunch with Esther de Waal, Thoughts by John Votta, Rose De Rango and Annie McEntee Some of us from the Richmond group were fortunate enough to sit at the same luncheon table as Esther de Waal at the retreat at Bristow on February 11. As all of you who met her know, she is very endearing and gracious, and we found her company to be very stimulating. She talked about her four boys and that when she visits one of her sons, who lives in Washington, DC, it opens up opportunities for her to visit places like Bristow which she described as an oasis of peace.
Our conversation touched on a number of subjects including native plants, water, ecology, family life, and Celtic traditions. While she was by far the most knowledgeable one at our table on these subjects, at the same time, she was eager to learn anything from us that we may have had to offer. We learned that Esther is fond of botany and has a keen interest in growing things. We made sure to introduce her to Bristow’s Master Gardener, Sr. Pat. When it came to the Celts she was quite passionate in wanting to clear up the myth that the Romans tried to squelch the Celtic traditions when in fact they embraced many of their traditions. When asked about what book she would recommend reading of hers on Celtic traditions, she suggested starting with “Every Earthly Blessing”. She explained that she is of Scottish lineage, implying that this is part of what draws her to the Celtic tradition. When asked about a comparison between US and English conservation efforts, she commented that the English have made much progress in saving gas by using smaller cars and using them less often. She testified to British recycle efforts and encouraged us to be thorough in our own recycling efforts. Esther was truly kind and giving, speaking in an easy hospitable manner for all of our lunchtime together. She commented about how much she enjoyed lunch with the Richmond Oblates.
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What being an Oblate of Saint Benedict means to Me. By Diane McGuire, Obl.S.B. When I first became an Oblate the overriding feeling was of being called and then coming home. I still feel this way, but over the past several months something has been added to the feeling of coming home. Being an Oblate of St. Benedict for me is being part of something much bigger than myself. As an Oblate, I share in what it means to be a monastic and take the monastery out of the sacred monastery into the profane, secular world. I see the Benedictine Sisters (and all who live in monasteries) as being a group of special souls, hand picked by God to mind and tend the sacred in this holy place called the monastery. For the sacred to grow throughout the world, it is important that we have these centers of holiness where those who have been chosen to live lives dedicated to keeping the sacred alive stay rooted in their call. We must also have those who carry it out into the world. As an Oblate, I have been called to take a small part of that sacredness with me wherever I go. I feel called to show whoever I may meet a different way to be in the world; one of love for God and neighbor, prayer, hospitality, a way focused away from the temporal, materialistic and selfserving. That’s what being an Oblate means to me. I’m humbled and honored by this every day. And when you catch me not doing what I have been called to do, please feel free to remind me of who and what I am.
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Suggested Benedictine Reading: The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Prologue of Benedict’s Rule by Michael Casey, OCSO Cistercian Fr. Casey examines the Prologue one verse at a time to build a bridge between the 6th C. text and 21st C. Christians. The Radical Christian Life: A Year with Saint Benedict by Joan Chittister, OSB Sr. Joan reflects on twelve stories from Benedict’s life in leading the reader through the year to a clearer understanding of the saint. Conversations with Saint Benedict: The Rule in Today’s World by Terrance G. Kardong, OSB Renown scholar Fr. Kardong reflects on aspects of modern culture he finds troubling and how the Rule can help in dealing with them. He also considers specific aspects of the Rule he finds difficult to embrace. Some of the topics explored are laughter and tears, security, work, monastic dress, cell phones, zeal, hierarchy and channel surfing. Lessons from St. Benedict: Finding Joy in Daily Life by Donald Raila, OSB This book contains 26 letters Fr. Raila has written to the oblates over his 20 years as Director of Oblates for Saint Vincent Archabbey. Using his own experiences and his reflection on the journey of daily life, he provides a very readable and useful book. The Blessings of St. Benedict by John Michael Talbot Well-known Catholic singing artist and member of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, John Michael Talbot has created a devotional book that provides short reflections on the Rule.
A Wonderful Rule-Filled Day! by Cathy Boga For several months, I had “Oblate Retreat” marked on my calendar. With much excitement and eagerness I looked forward to this special day for the oblate novices. As the day drew closer I wondered, what would we hear and experience. When asked if I would be willing to write a few words on my experience of that day from a novice point of view; my first reaction was oh no, why me. But Kathy Frick and Sister Charlotte Lee gently mentioned Chapter 68 and after reading, I took a deep breath and said yes. We started with the life of St. Benedict with a slide show. As a novice I had never seen pictures of Benedict’s place of birth in Nursia or his monastery in Subiaco where his sacred cave is or where he built his home in Monte Cassino with the woman’s monastery just down the road. The presentation was fun and informative. Next we were reminded that the Rule is a guidebook for the beginning of our journey not the end and how to live life in relationship with God and each other.
As I listened, it became apparent we were being encouraged to grow as novices through knowledge of the Rule and at the same time being drawn together as fellow companions following the Rule. Like older siblings teaching younger ones what it takes to cross the street safely; stop, look both ways; take my hand and walk.
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There was time for reflection and sharing with fellow novices. I sat with an oblate from Bedford and realized we all have questions and sometimes the same obstacles to work through as part of the journey. When they talked about having a relationship to a Benedictine community my heart began to warm. The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia Monastery in Bristow is our community. This is our “Spiritual Home”, a place where we come to serve; be refreshed by the Spirit and just “Be”. As we go about our daily lives we are the faces of our “Spiritual Home”; we do not walk this journey alone. For those who travel, there is always room at the inn and a Sister to hug and welcoming us back home. As the day drew to a close, like all good novices in training, we ended with prayer and helped clean up!
A Day of Reflection by Margene Rivera In some cases the 12 months in the trusty old calendar fly by like a winter’s cold breath, and we scurry thru our daily routine just to make sure we can check off everything which we feel needs to be done in a certain time period. Without realizing what exact day you’re on, WHAM, you realize that it’s here, that long awaited retreat weekend. The weekend that you get to slowly stroll through the grounds of the Monastery, watching the cherry blossom trees dropping their flowers on the ground and watching the squirrels running and chasing each other. You take a deep breath and look up and then you see her, there’s Sister Charlotte standing in the Chapel door way with a big old grin on her face, giggling as she asks “Margene, Do you realize that it’s raining?” Yes, it was raining that day, but it didn’t seem to matter. Saturday morning, the 24th of March was finally here and I was so excited about the weekend. I was on a mission, I was told that this weekend was going to be just for the Novices.
We started the morning in the chapel, the sunlight coming though the stained glass windows were so peaceful, the sisters were filing into their chairs and the silent prayers started to rise as the organ played softly. I know things are right when the hair stands up on my arms and a tingle starts from the top of my head then goes down to my toes. The presence of our Lord was definitely there.
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Following the morning prayers, the Novices were taken to a basement class room where tables had been prepared with snacks, breakfast goodies of all kinds and other tables were set in small group study tables. Rita Zimmermann, Dean of the Bedford Group, handed out name tags and instructed us that the groups would be mixed (what she really meant was don’t sit with anyone that you know). As we settled in and met our table mates for the day, a young sister took her place at the front of the class. Sr. Vicki. I have heard of Sister Vicki, but had never had the pleasure of meeting her. Sister Vicki started talking about St. Benedict and his twin sister, Scholastica. She told of the history of St Benedict, of his studies in Rome and the cenobite life he chose so that he could live and give praises to our Lord. She also talked of the ways that the Lord intervened when St. Benedict’s life was in danger. The further she got into her story the more she started talking with her hands, and then she would go down to her toes and when she talked of the stormy night when Scholastica begged her brother not to return to his home, Sister Vicki got really quiet and reminded us about the prayer that Scholastica prayed with the greatest of love. This prayer of faith trusted in an answer that caused the Heavens to open and the storms to came, and just like a big brother, St. Benedict said ,”What did you do?” As Sr. Vicki continued giving an animated history about the twins and the miracles that our Lord had shown and worked through St. Benedict, she was glowing! I realized at that point, that I wasn’t alone.
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Next, Kathy Frick took the stage, and did an excellent job breaking down the Rule which St. Benedict wrote. I kept listening to her and asking myself, “How does this apply to me?” She started out by reminding us of the turbulent times that St. Benedict lived in, about the breakdown of morals and the chaos of the Roman Empire. One could find similarities in our culture in a heartbeat! But, I’m afraid that living by myself has no appeal in any way, shape, form or fashion. So running to the desert is not an option for me, as a matter of fact, thanks to St. Benedict’s Rule, I don’t even have to reinvent the wheel. In order to live in community you must have respect, respect for yourself, as well as others, you must learn to work together and accept that there may be changes that have to be made. And maybe you need to make the first move. It’s called compromise. Community has a multitude of personalities within it, and with those personalities come wisdom and experience that may never happen in another’s lifetime.
St. Benedict said, “Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It’s bound to be narrow at the outset, but as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”
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In other words, relax, God has made the path. He’s given us the rules to follow; St. Benedict has simplified it and it has proven to still work 1500 years later. Now at this point I was feeling a little more knowledgeable about the background and reassurance was building and then came the questions, Why do I need a rule for living my life? What have I found in the Rule that makes me want to use it for my daily living? Well, the first question was a piece of cake; most rules are put into place to keep you safe and make things run smoother without chaos. In my life, that’s important. I have two grown boys, a beautiful daughter-in-law, the perfect 9 yrs. old grandson, and at work I run two different apartment complexes with my husband as my maintenance man. What have I found in the Rule that makes me want to use it daily? Among St Benedict’s teachings he talks about a Spiritual Growth; Growth thru prayer, and studying the paths of Humility and Grace. There are times that I get in my quiet little space, and look around at the beauty that was given so freely, and I think “Why Me?” “What have I done to deserve this?” In the Bible Jesus was telling a story to the people and he said (paraphrasing) “I was hungry and you feed me, was naked and you clothed me.” This is why I need the Rule; I want to be able to act instead of being scared and reacting. I feel that the only greater strength than the power of prayer is prayer with another; which lead to the next section of Community.
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Rita Zimmermann talked on the benefits of Community as an endless journey where no one walks alone; whether it be in prayer, action, or study. Community in a sense is family. One has the support and the past experiences of several different people and they take joy in watching and helping you with your spiritual growth as if watching a small child take their first step. They will be there to help find the answers to the more difficult questions (or what you may think as being difficult), they will give a shoulder to cry on or wipe a tear because you were laughing too hard. Community is a choice; it’s never forced or inherited. It is a relationship of those traveling down the same path that our Lord has laid for us. The final session of the day was on the Oblation. Sue Davey gave us a brief outline of the service in May and she gave us a copy of the “Act of Oblation”. As I was reading this Act of Oblation it states that “I Offer myself to Almighty God, Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and our Holy Father Benedict… … what a team of leaders, the ones that gave the rules and tells me that the path has already been laid and it’s safe to travel.
as an Oblate of St. Benedict Monastery, Bristow , Virginia…..this tells me that there is a Community waiting to help me on my journey and pray for me so that I may grow as I make changes in my life.
To dedicate myself to the service to God and humanity According to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Rule of St. Benedict… In so far as my state of Life Permits. Is this something I’m going to be able to do for the rest of my life? Am I ready for this????? My Lord gave up everything for me, yet he gave me a wonderful man to love and care for, who shares my love for Christ. He gave me my family and friends and allows me to see the beauty of the birds and feel the warmth of the sun. Now he is giving me another opportunity in which I have a place to call home and sisters that I can claim as mentors. Am I ready?
To dedicate myself to the service to God and humanity According to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Rule of St. Benedict… In so far as my State of Life Permits. Is this something I’m going to be able to do for the rest of my life? Am I ready for this????? My Lord gave up everything for me, yet he gave me a wonderful man to love and care for, who shares my love for Christ. He gave me my family and friends and allows me to see the beauty of the birds and feel the warmth of the sun. Now he is giving me another opportunity in which I have a place to call home and sisters that I can claim as mentors. Am I ready?
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I’m ready.
I’m ready.
IN GRATITUDE by Juanita Walker Obl.S.B. "I give thanks to my God every time I think of you...which is constantly, in every prayer I utter-rejoicing, as I plead on your behalf, at the way you have all continually helped promote the gospel from the very first day." Phil 1:3-5 It was approximately 30 years ago when I met my first Benedictine Sister. She was a kindly lady of about 63 who was working to help form a new Catholic Parish in Richmond, Virginia. Her name was Sister Anita Sherwood. We were about the same height...but there was something mighty and tall and knowledgeable about her...and yet she was so very accepting and kind to me. She was the Pastoral Associate at the new parish of the Church of the Epiphany. Our boss was John Leonard, an old and trusted friend of Sister Anita. It didn't take me long to realize their friendship was long-standing....so much so that he called her "gran". I know I have heard the story about the name, but my mind has forgotten. Thus began this relationship. She taught me so much as did my boss and so began my ministry as a Church Lady.
Even when "gran" left Epiphany, we remained close and she was often a speaker or retreat leader at different places in the next 30 years. She even became part of a sewing group of women at St. Michael's called IS (in stitches) and often joined our meetings when she was in town. She became our "gran" also as she could crochet such beautiful shawls and blankets. WOW! And she taught us so much more.
In the past six years, I became familiar with a part dedicate myself to the service to God ofTo Sister Anita's life that I didn't even knowand existhumanity According to the Gospel of Jesus ed: The Oblates of St. Benedict. I could actually Christ part and of theher Rule St.continue Benedict… In sowhat far become lifeofand to learn as my state of Life Permits. Is this something made her who she was. I’m going to be able to do for the rest of my life? Am I ready for this????? And my family would say, “and not have to My Lord gaveand upleave everything for me,Iyet he the gave become a nun her family." think me aprofound wonderful manI have to love and care for, who most thing experienced over the shares my love for Christ.Rule He gave me my time, famiyears is how St. Benedict's transcends ly and friends andand allows methoughts. to see the Itbeauty cultures, religions ethical is a of the birds and the warmth of the sun. Now I foundation for feel any man or any woman on earth. he is giving me another opportunity in which I I am not going to say that I am the perfect Oblate. have a place to call home andwith sisters that Iaspects can continue to have my problems certain claim as mentors. of prayer and humility, but I am just an old Lebanese grandmother who is in constant touch with Am Mary, I ready? ready. and St. Jude all God, Joseph, St.I’m Anthony, day long. It is hard for me to sit quietly and read the Rule and do prayer times....but I continue to work on it. I pray to St. Benedict for help also...he knows my intentions are good. So during these six years or so, I have met some of the most wonderful women religious. They are inspirations to me as many of them are not lifelong sisters, but some who have come from the background of wives, mothers, and grandmothers. That is what is so gratifying to me...the order is open to the people of God who want to make the effort as lay persons or as Sisters of St. Benedict. I am ever so proud of Sister Charlotte Lee who left St. Michael's to join the order. She is an inspiration also. But then so are those sisters who survived that awful crash on Bristow Road...Sister Charlotte and Sister Connie...and all those presenters at our Oblate Meetings sharing their thoughts on the Rule. Let me simply say THANK YOU GOD for bringing these wonderful ladies into my life. Graced by their dedication, humility, and loving acceptance, we are better people today.
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