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May 4, 2023On April 16, Divine Mercy Sunday, spring 2023 Oblate Sunday was celebrated at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee, with more than 60 participants from across Oklahoma sharing in the joyful spirit of the Easter season and Christ’s resurrection.
Four oblate novices were enrolled into the oblate program while six current novices made their final oblation for life, committing themselves to live out Saint Benedict’s rule, written around 530 A.D., in their individual vocations in the world. The festive ceremony of the oblate enrollment was led by the Very Reverend Simeon Spitz, O.S.B., the prior of Saint Gregory’s Abbey on behalf of the Right Reverend Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., the abbot.
The day started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, followed by a conference on humility by Father Nicholas Ast, O.S.B., the director of oblates. The day ended with the Divine Mercy Chaplet and solemn vespers at 3 p.m.
Referring to the book by Father Augustine Wetta, O.S.B., from Saint Louis Abbey in Missouri, “Humility Rules: Saint Benedict’s Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem,” Father Nicholas motivated the participants to climb the ladder of humility to discover God’s power in their lives. He explained Christian humility as an attitude and action of taking the focus off self and directing it to God. He further discussed 12 steps to humility: fear of God, self-denial, obedience, perseverance, repentance, serenity, self-abasement, prudence, silence, dignity, discretion and reverence.
Encouraging the oblates to practice humility in daily life and share it with others, Father Nicholas emphasized, “This is your task, dear oblates, to go out to be witnesses, to love stability in the culture that is fallen, to show people that there is an alternative … not by shouting in the streets but through the quiet power of perseverance.”
The conference sessions were alternated with times for personal exchange among oblates about living their oblate vocation in their environments.
Chandra Miller from Ada, an oblate for 12 years, shared her thoughts about spiritual benefits of the oblate program in her life.
“Being an oblate gives me courage; it helps me to be aligned with higher values and makes me realize that I live for God and others, not for myself. It helps me trust more in God and be merciful to others,” Miller said.
Inviting others to join the oblate program, she said, “I feel attached to Saint Gregory’s Abbey – it is another home for me. It is restorative to the mind and heart; it immerses the soul in peace and joy. In the quietness of this place, you can see what you can’t get on the outside.”
William Fontanez, Jr. and Rachel Fontanez, catechists at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Shawnee and oblate novices at the Abbey since November 2022, shared similar sentiments.
“I’m interested in making Saint Benedict’s rule work for families by living it and teaching our children how to continually turn to prayer and service in the Church,” Rachel said.
William confirmed her views, “As an oblate dad I feel I’m supported a lot by the monks. I’m uplifted through them. They affirm me in my vocation as a married man and the dad … We are benefiting from the oblate program to have the stability we need to go back to the ministry in the Church.”
Rachel further shared, “One of the greatest things I learned about life as an oblate novice is to slow down and to get smaller …”
William added, “The oblate program helped me to refocus my energy. By being in the community of monks I found a sense of love, which they live out every day. I can be a part of their vocation without becoming a monk myself.”
Summarizing his conference talk and discussions, Father Nicholas said, “Humility helps to lead us to holiness and holiness of life leads us to that perfect love that casts out fear. God doesn’t call us to be just ‘a good person’, but he calls us to be saints.”
Father Spitz, O.S.B. closed the conference sessions by emphasizing the importance of the oblates’ mission for Christ and by sending them out with a blessing to share the monastic values of Saint Benedict with people in the world.
Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: (above) Judy Fahey signed her final oblation as a Benedictine Oblate of St. Gregory’s Abbey on April 16. Photo Br. George Hubl, O.S.B.
Six current novices made their final oblations as Benedictine Oblates of St. Gregory’s Abbey on April 16. Photo Br. George Hubl, O.S.B.
Oblate novices at the Spring Oblate Sunday on April 16 at St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee. Photo Br. George Hubl, O.S.B.
