Ordinary Oblates – Oblate Retreat 2009

Twelve Oblates of Christ the King Priory gathered at Saint Benedict Center for the annual Oblate Retreat.  The weekend of prayer and reflection was directed by Br. Benet Tvedten, O.S.B., a monk of Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin, South Dakota.  Brother Benet is the Oblate Director of his community and author of several books on Benedictine life.  Through storytelling and with impulses from his own writings, Brother Benet reflected on ways ordinary men and women can live Benedictine spirituality genuinely in the world.

A highlight of the weekend (aside from the surprise snow day!) was the reception of Dennis H., of Dubuque, Iowa, into the oblate novitiate.  The novitiate is a year of formation in Benedictine spirituality and prayer in preparation for final commitment as a Benedictine Oblate.  We wish Dennis and his mentor, Oblate Anton, the grace of perseverance as they journey through the coming year.

Is there anyone here who yearns for life?

Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? (Ps 34:13)
If you hear this and your answer is “I do,” God then directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim (Ps 34:14-15).
Rule of Benedict, Prologue 14-15

November 13-15, 2009
Saint Benedict Center

Explore the Benedictine way of life, an ancient tradition, which even today continues to offer wisdom for daily living.  Share and experience key elements of Benedictine spirituality as lived within a monastery by a monk and in the world by a lay oblate and how these values can be incorporated into everyday living.  Participants will be encouraged to create their own rule of life, based on Scripture and insights gained during the retreat, to assist them in building a personal prayer life and to live the Gospel faithfully in the world.  Retreatants will also have an opportunity to pray with the monastic community throughout the weekend.

The retreat begins Friday, November 13th at 7:30 p.m. and ends after lunch on Sunday, November 15th.  The program cost is $50, plus the cost of room and board.  For more information or to register, please contact Saint Benedict Center at (402) 352-8819. 

About the facilitators:
Br. Damian Cayetano, O.S.B., is a Missionary Benedictine monk of Christ the King Priory.  He has extensive experience in youth and young adult ministry and currently serves as Assistant Vocation Director of the monastic community.

Darla Weisbeck, M.S.W., a Benedictine Oblate, is co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Spirituality, Crestwood Christian Church.  She has over 26 years experience practicing a home-based contemplative life in the city.

A Celebration of Commitment

Receive me, Lord, as you have promised, and I shall live;
do not disappoint me in my hope.
Psalm 119:16/Rule of Benedict 58:21

The Missionary Benedictine community of Christ the King Priory celebrated three milestones on September 6, 2009: the 40th anniversary of priestly ordination of Father Volker, the 5th anniversary of oblation of our first group of Oblates, and the first monastic profession of Brother Damian.  Abbot Michael Reepen, O.S.B., of Münsterschwarzach Abbey, presided at the Eucharistic Liturgy and Rite of Monastic Profession.  Joining in the celebration were a group of Missionary Benedictine Sisters from Immaculata Monastery, confreres from Conception Abbey, including Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B., and numerous Oblates, family members, and friends. 

In his homily,  Abbot Michael reflected on the importance Saint Benedict placed on listening, and connected this theme with the story of the deaf man healed by Jesus in the Gospel according to Mark.  Emphasizing that ”it is the essence of the created to be God’s call, to be God’s call turned into response,” Abbot Michael reminded the assembly that “this celebration is meant to encourage all of us to trust in God.”

Abbot Michael examines Br. Damian

Br. Damian signs his profession document

Br. Damian receives the long scapular

Abbot Michael, Br. Damian, and Abbot Gregory

Br. Damian with family and confreres

Oblate jubliarians

Oblate jubilarians

The Oblates pay tribute to Fr. Volker

The Oblates surprise Fr. Volker with various gifts

Guests enjoy a festive brunch

Abbot Michael, Br. Damian, and Missionary Benedictine Sisters

Abbot Michael, Fr. Volker, and Oblates

One Person Theater: The Story of the Orphan Train

Sunday, October 18, 2009
3:00 p.m. at Saint Benedict Center
This performace tells true stories of seven brave young Orphan Train riders from their East Coast beginnings to their new lives in other parts of the country.  Orphans who remember the experience come to life and share a heartrending and forgotten part of American history.  Pippa White calls her unique, captivating, and touching productions “part theater, part storytelling, part history.”  She has extensive background in theater and television on the West Coast, including five years as a host of a daily morning television on ABC in San Francisco.

Tickets are $7 (advanced purchase, seniors, and students) and $9 (at the door).  For more information, please contact Saint Benedict Center at (402) 352-8819.

United in Peace (Rule of Benedict 53:4)

How much more important, then, to lay our petitions before the Lord God of all things with the utmost humility and sincere devotion.  Rule of Benedict 20:2

The Rule of Saint Benedict is infused with prayer.  Saint Benedict reminds us to “devote yourself often to prayer” (RB 4:56).  The monk unites himself with God and also lifts up the needs of the world through prayer. 

A new page has been added to this blog – We Pray for You.  Visitors to our blog are invited to share their prayer intentions with the monks and all other blog guests.  The monks of Christ the King Priory remeber all our friends and benefactors in our daily prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours and celebration of the Eucharist.

For more information about requesting Masses to be celebrated for your intentions, please contact the Monastery at (402) 352-2177.

Adventures in Germany

The Abbey Church of Münsterschwarzach

Brother Damian spent the final six months of his second novitiate year in Münsterschwarzach Abbey, the German motherhouse of Christ the King Priory.  He was immersed in the daily life of prayer and work at the Abbey, but also had the opportunity to explore various sights throughout the country, including visits to several other monasteries.

An interview with Br. Damian describing his time in Germany can be found here.

The inner courtyard of Münsterschwarzach

The inner courtyard of Münsterschwarzach

The city of Würzburg on the Main River

Wine vineyards in Franconia

Participants of Benedictine Study Days

Visiting the sisters of Dinklage Abbey

Missionary Benedictines from around the world visit Andechs Monastery

The Archabbey of Beuron

Br. Damian with Missionary Benedictines from Asia

The Carthusian Charterhouse of Marienau

Monks in formation & formation directors at Münsterschwarzach

Apple Harvest 2009

The apple trees on Mission Hill yielded another abundant harvest this year.  Our resident apple expert, Fr. Germar, along with co-workers Marv and Brad, led the effort of picking and pressing the apples to be used for our home made cider and jelly.  Apples were also sliced and frozen to be used in various cakes and pastries in the coming year.

Oblate Family Picnic 2009

The monks of Christ the King Priory gathered with its Oblate community on August 16th for the annual Oblate Family Picnic.  It was a joyous occasion for the monks and oblates, with their families, to pray togther and to enjoy fellowship and good food with one another.  A special highlight of the day was the reception of four oblate novices.  These four new members of the oblate community will spend the next year learning more about Benedictine spirituality and how to integrate its values into their own lives.

An American Monk in Germany

The youngest monk of Christ the King Priory, Br. Damian, recently returned to Schuyler after a six-month stay at our German motherhouse, Abtei Münsterschwarzach.  He has since made his temporal profession of vows.  An interview with Br. Damian was featured on the Abbey’s website.  The following is an English translation of the German original:

Many may have noticed that a third Asian monk has been living for some time in Münsterschwarzach.  Along with Brothers Charles and Walbert from Digos Priory (Philippines), Brother Damian Cayetano has been with us in Münsterschwarzach since March.  He was born in the Philippines and grew up in the United States.  Br. Damian is a novice of Schuyler, our priory in the United States.  Br. Richard-Maria interviewed Br. Damian about his time in Münsterschwarzach.

Brother Damian, why are you here in Münsterschwarzach?
Since the time our monastery first started accepting American candidates, the young monks in formation have had the opportunity to spend some time at the motherhouse.  I am here to pray and work, to learn more about the history and traditions of our monastic community, and to form relationships  with my German confreres.

What were your first impressions of Germany?
I think most North Americans have a stereotypical image of Germans as being strict and serious, but what I’ve experienced is the complete opposite!  I have always been greeting with such warm hospitality, big smiles, and good humor.  The friendliness and openness of the people I’ve met, especially here in Franconia, have made a lasting impression on me. 

What have you done during your time here?
The majority of my time is spent living the day to day rhythm of prayer and work and completely immersing myself in the life of the community.  My experiences of work have ranged from pulling weeds in the garden, painting doors and walls in our newly renovated swimming pool, and giving English lessons to a confrere.  I am also working with the webmaster of the Abbey’s homepage to create a new website for our monastery in Schuyler.  I have also had the opportunity to meet other young Missionary Benedictines and to learn more about their own communities.

What is the difference between American and German monasteries?
The great majority of American monasteries have their roots in German or Swiss communities, so there are many parallels in the way the monastic tradition is lived.  I think one thing in which American communities excel is reaching out to lay people who feel called to integrating Benedictine spirituality into their daily lives.  Our own Oblate community in Schuyler continues to grow as more and more lay people are called to connect themselves to our prayer and work.

What have you learned from us?
I have gained a lot of new ideas and concepts about ministry with young people, which is something that is done so well here at the Abbey.  I look forward to integrating these elements into my own work in Schuyler.  My time here has also really widened and deepened my experience and vision of monastic life.  I have come to appreciate a centuries old tradition while having a hopeful outlook for the continuing development and evolution of Benedictine monasticism.  Monastic life has a very encouraging future in Germany, and that gives me plenty of hope for the future of American monasticism.

Br. Damian will take part in Congregation Study Weeks at the Archabbey of Saint Ottilien in August.  Afterwards, he will return to the United States and profess his temporal vows in Schuyler.

Summer on the Hill

While many guests are well acquainted with the landscape and architecture at Saint Benedict Center, many remain unaware of the distinct form and solid simplicity of the Monastery.  Our resident photographer, Fr. Volker, shares some summertime scenes from the Monastery. 

We invite all our guests who come for retreats and programs at St. Benedict Center to experience the unique architecture of Christ the King Priory.  All are most welcome to join the monks in praying the Liturgy of the Hours and in celebrating the Eucharist.