Benedictine Oblates - Issue 2 January 8, 2012

Celebration of Sister Roni’s Time with the Oblates

Continuing on the Journey with Sister MaryLou

Oblate Margie Palazzolo presented a Mass card and a plant with lovely bright, yellow flowers to Sister Roni Daniels, O.S.B., our Oblate Directress since 2008, and spoke of Sister Roni’s special ministry with us and all the memories we will hold in our hearts.  Oblate Cyndy Ingram, with a few words on illumination, the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment, and a concurrence of Sister Roni’s willingness to be obedient to God’s direction, ended with, “instead of adding material items to your backpack, we would each like to lay our hands on you and give you our personal requests for God’s blessings to encourage and uplift you as you continue your journey.” as the oblates processed past Sister Roni.

Sister MaryLou began the main meeting with a definition of epiphany – epiphaneia, a manifestation, Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. The Magi visited the baby Jesus – Balthazar, an Arab scholar, Caspar, a Persian scholar, and Melchior, a Babylonian scholar and then spread the word that the Messiah had come.

Then she gave us a few guidelines for our Lectio Divina:

• Pray daily – set time aside as we are creatures of habit
• Prayer space – use the same space each day, no need for elaborate set up but use items that will help you focus, bible, candle, sacred item, or just a quiet, peaceful spot.
• Relax – take a deep breath, be quiet, be at peace
• Ask God for a grace
• Scripture – Lectio Divina is Divine reading so be sure to use scripture; use one of the scripture readings of the day.  Choose a word, or a phrase. See an image, feel the story, hear the words.
• Remain with the passage, be with God, spend time as with a friend
• Listen – some things may fall into place for you
• Ask God to help you with the day

Lastly, in three groups we explored the following questions:

• What qualities should oblates exhibit? Obedience to the Rule; stand up for what is right; be welcoming, prayerful, grateful; listen with the heart and ear; be accepting of good and bad; connect with the Lord and his suffering; be a witness, share your faith, know through example of the sisters.
• What attracted you to become an oblate?  Divine guidance; hunger for more; we all came by different routes -  Bible study; visits to St. Martin’s Ministry; Sister Mary Paul; we knew the Lord and had a hunger for more.
• How do you live your oblate promise?  Help others; visit the sick; Lectio Divina; Mass, prayer for others; share welcome with others that the sisters share with us.