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| John Cassian used only "Theoria" from a Greek word for "viewing" or "contemplation" to describe divine contemplation. The Latin word "contemplatio" was considered less focused for Cassian's understanding of this monastic practice. |
NEXT OBLATE MEETING:
The next Oblate Sunday is Sunday, March, 6, 2011 beginning with 10:00 am Mass. Abbot Isaac will speak about Lent which begins with Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
BOOK FOR LENT:
Abbot Isaac selected "Benedict's Way: An Ancient Monk's Insights for a Balanced Life," by Lonni Collins Pratt and Daniel Homan for our reading during Lent. The St. Leo Abbey Bookstore will have the book for us to buy on March 6. We will read a portion of the book each week during Lent.
Lent reading is a Benedictine practice described in the Rule, Chapter 48:
Lent reading is a Benedictine practice described in the Rule, Chapter 48:
"From the calends of October till the beginning of Lent, let them apply themselves to reading until the second hour complete. At the second hour let Tierce be said, and then let all be employed in the work which hath been assigned to them till the ninth hour. When, however, the first signal for the hour of None hath been given, let each one leave off from work and be ready when the second signal shall strike. But after their repast let them devote themselves to reading or the psalms.
"During the Lenten season let them be employed in reading from morning until the third hour, and till the tenth hour let them do the work which is imposed on them. During these days of Lent let all received books from the library, and let them read them through in order. These books are to be given out at the beginning of the Lenten season.
"Above all, let one or two of the seniors be appointed to go about the monastery during the time that the brethren devote to reading and take notice, lest perhaps a slothful brother be found who giveth himself up to idleness or vain talk, and doth not attend to his reading, and is unprofitable, not only to himself, but disturbeth also others. If such a one be found (which God forbid), let him be punished once and again. If he doth not amend, let him come under the correction of the Rule in such a way that others may fear. And let not brother join brother at undue times."
"During the Lenten season let them be employed in reading from morning until the third hour, and till the tenth hour let them do the work which is imposed on them. During these days of Lent let all received books from the library, and let them read them through in order. These books are to be given out at the beginning of the Lenten season.
"Above all, let one or two of the seniors be appointed to go about the monastery during the time that the brethren devote to reading and take notice, lest perhaps a slothful brother be found who giveth himself up to idleness or vain talk, and doth not attend to his reading, and is unprofitable, not only to himself, but disturbeth also others. If such a one be found (which God forbid), let him be punished once and again. If he doth not amend, let him come under the correction of the Rule in such a way that others may fear. And let not brother join brother at undue times."
MARCH 6: OBLATE NOVICE AND FINAL OBLATION CEREMONY:
The Oblate novice and final oblation ceremony will be Sunday, March 6, 2011. If you filled out an Oblate Novice Application to become an Oblate novice or if you filled out the Final Oblation Application please attend the oblation ceremony on March 6, 2011. The ceremony (which is not part of the Sunday Mass) will take place after Mass.
The following information is a repeat of information previously e-mailed to those on the email mailing list. The following information applies only to those who missed receiving an application and still want to apply before March 6.
HOW TO BECOME A NOVICE OBLATE: If you want to become a novice Oblate at St. Leo Abbey, but have not received an application, please email us at this SPAM PROTECTED FAKE EMAIL StLeoOblates999@gmail.com. To email us, remove the three number 9s in the email address. In your email say:
"I want to become a novice Oblate, please email me the novice Oblate discernment form."
After we receive your reply, you will receive the discernment form to fill out and return to the Oblate office. Your completed form will be submitted to Abbot Isaac for review. At the novice ceremony, you will asked to make a promise at the altar of the abbey’s Church of the Holy Cross about your desire to become a novice Oblate. With help from the Holy Spirit, during the upcoming year you will follow the Rule of St. Benedict as your state in life allows and discern whether you are called to be an Oblate of St. Leo Abbey.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR FINAL OBLATION: If you have been a novice Oblate for at least a year (if you became a novice Oblate in early 2010 or before) and want to make your final oblation, but have not received an application, please email us at the SPAM PROTECTED FAKE EMAIL StLeoOblates999@gmail.com. To email us, remove the three number 9s in the email address. In your email say something like:
"I have been a novice Oblate and now desire to make a final Oblation as an Oblate of St. Leo Abbey, please email me the Oblate discernment form."
After we receive your reply, you will receive the form to fill out and return to the Oblate office. Your completed form will be submitted to Abbot Isaac for review. At the Oblation ceremony, you will asked to make a promise at the altar of the abbey’s Church of the Holy Cross about your desire to become an Oblate of St. Leo Abbey. The final Oblation promise you will speak, and then sign, and leave on the altar is:
“I, ___ of _____, Florida offer myself to Almighty God through the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Holy Father Benedict as an Oblate of Saint Leo Abbey Saint Leo, Florida, and promise to dedicate myself to the service of God and humanity according to the Rule of our Holy Father Benedict in so far as my state of life permits.”
HELP THE ABBEY. AN INVITATION TO OBLATES FROM ABBOT ISAAC: "I want to become a novice Oblate, please email me the novice Oblate discernment form."
After we receive your reply, you will receive the discernment form to fill out and return to the Oblate office. Your completed form will be submitted to Abbot Isaac for review. At the novice ceremony, you will asked to make a promise at the altar of the abbey’s Church of the Holy Cross about your desire to become a novice Oblate. With help from the Holy Spirit, during the upcoming year you will follow the Rule of St. Benedict as your state in life allows and discern whether you are called to be an Oblate of St. Leo Abbey.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR FINAL OBLATION: If you have been a novice Oblate for at least a year (if you became a novice Oblate in early 2010 or before) and want to make your final oblation, but have not received an application, please email us at the SPAM PROTECTED FAKE EMAIL StLeoOblates999@gmail.com. To email us, remove the three number 9s in the email address. In your email say something like:
"I have been a novice Oblate and now desire to make a final Oblation as an Oblate of St. Leo Abbey, please email me the Oblate discernment form."
After we receive your reply, you will receive the form to fill out and return to the Oblate office. Your completed form will be submitted to Abbot Isaac for review. At the Oblation ceremony, you will asked to make a promise at the altar of the abbey’s Church of the Holy Cross about your desire to become an Oblate of St. Leo Abbey. The final Oblation promise you will speak, and then sign, and leave on the altar is:
“I, ___ of _____, Florida offer myself to Almighty God through the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Holy Father Benedict as an Oblate of Saint Leo Abbey Saint Leo, Florida, and promise to dedicate myself to the service of God and humanity according to the Rule of our Holy Father Benedict in so far as my state of life permits.”
The Abbot would like to develop greater involvement of the Oblates in the life of St. Leo Abbey. For example, two Oblates help Bother Stephen in the Abbey’s Reception Office.
Abbot Isaac asked for a couple or two people who would help the Abbey during the retreats the Abbey hosts for outside groups. You would stay overnight as the Abbey’s guest and help out if the someone gets locked out of their room or the group needs help with such things as finding the coffee and finding their way around the Abbey.
The Abbey has retreat groups throughout the year and there could be several pairs of these Retreat Angels.
Abbot Isaac also would like people to serve as Welcome Center Hosts or Hostesses to help show Benedictine hospitality to the many people who visit the Abbey and come to the Welcome Center. The Abbot suggested you could read in the Welcome Center and answer questions from visitors and show them around to the public areas of the abbey.
If you are interested please send an email to us at the SPAM PROTECTED FAKE EMAIL StLeoOblates999@gmail.com. To email us, remove the three number 9s in the email address. We will forward your email to Abbot Isaac.
Abbot Isaac asked for a couple or two people who would help the Abbey during the retreats the Abbey hosts for outside groups. You would stay overnight as the Abbey’s guest and help out if the someone gets locked out of their room or the group needs help with such things as finding the coffee and finding their way around the Abbey.
The Abbey has retreat groups throughout the year and there could be several pairs of these Retreat Angels.
Abbot Isaac also would like people to serve as Welcome Center Hosts or Hostesses to help show Benedictine hospitality to the many people who visit the Abbey and come to the Welcome Center. The Abbot suggested you could read in the Welcome Center and answer questions from visitors and show them around to the public areas of the abbey.
If you are interested please send an email to us at the SPAM PROTECTED FAKE EMAIL StLeoOblates999@gmail.com. To email us, remove the three number 9s in the email address. We will forward your email to Abbot Isaac.
ST. LEO ABBEY OBLATES BLOG:
Oblate Novice resources were added to the blog. These may help Oblate Novices. Please leave a comment with more suggestions.
OBLATE ANNUAL RETREAT:
The date for the annual Oblate Retreat has not been set yet.
SAINT SCHOLASTICA’S FEAST DAY:
Thursday, February 10, 2011 is the feast day for this leading Benedictine saint. She was abbess of Plombariola the first Benedictine convent. Her name means “she who has leisure to devote to study.” She is the patron saint of nuns.Here is a painting depicting her death (click the picture to enlarge). The picture is 'The Death of Saint Scholastica', by Jean Restout II, 1730, oil on canvas, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours, France
Blessings from the dove of St. Scholastica.
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Footnotes:
The picture is used subject to license.
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