10-Days as Oblates
Extraordinary! There are no better words to describe the poignant, intimate, and powerful events we experienced at St. Paul’s Monastery over a 10-day period from March 11-20. Over that span, we were privileged to witness and participate in the highs and lows of being Oblates – from death to youthful energy, from intimate gatherings and storytelling to a dining room filled and buzzing with the voices of family and friends of the Sisters, from Oblate candidates in initial formation to long-time Oblates returning to the monastery to honor the passing of another Sister. It was beautiful and exhausting, but mostly it was an honor and a gift to be part of all of it.
March 11 – it all began quietly with our bi-weekly meeting of the Oblate leadership team, at which we planned that evening’s monthly Oblate gathering of Listening to the Rule. We decided to pivot from our planned topic to allow time for Oblates to share memories and stories of Sister Eleanor, ahead of her funeral that Friday. The Spirit was clearly leading us in that decision, because by the time we gathered that evening, we had learned of the passing of Sister Sharon as well. Over the course of the evening – from evening praise, to dinner with the Sisters, to our time of storytelling, and finally Compline, we all sensed the power and privilege of being together as Oblates to grieve with and for our beloved Sisters.
March 12 – at a monthly gathering called an Evening of Contemplative Fellowship, Kami had invited Jeff to meet some participants in the Benedictine CARE program, Oblate participants of the Saturday morning Zoom Centering Prayer practice group and other friends to practice and share about contemplative prayer and the impact it has on our lives. It was especially lovely that two of the Sisters are regular members of this small community and offered us their unique perspectives on their lives of prayer. (If this monthly Wednesday gathering is something that you would like to attend, please contact Kami, kpohl@stpaulsmonastery.org).
March 13 – at the visitation and vigil prayer for Sister Eleanor, we got to witness and appreciate two long-standing traditions of the monastic community. First, at 3:30, the Sisters and guests gathered to receive the remains of their Sister and commend her spirit to God in prayer and song. Second, during the vigil prayer, the Sisters and guests were invited once again to share their stories and memories of their beloved Sister Eleanor. The stories were sometimes touching, sometimes funny, and usually enlightening about their relationships with each other in community.
March 14 – we arrived early for morning prayer with the Sisters and then prepared to meet with the Oblate volunteers who generously responded to the call to help with hospitality in the chapel and the dining room that day. Then, each volunteer played their part in ensuring that family and friends of Sister Eleanor were greeted, escorted and served throughout the day. Both the chapel and then the dining room were filled-to-overflowing with Sisters, family, and guests. We were especially happy to see so many Oblates return to the monastery for either the vigil, the funeral, or both. It was truly a gift to reconnect with each other.
March 17 – after a quiet weekend, we convened again for the quarterly meeting of the Oblate Advisory Committee. During our evening discussion, several committee members remarked on the palpable shift that we’ve seen over these weeks with the Oblates increasingly stepping into some hospitality roles previously done by the Sisters. We also reflected on the question: “How are you living out monastic values in your daily life in the world?” As expected, a common theme in the resulting conversation was hospitality.
March 18 – early the next morning, we returned to the monastery to welcome nine Hill-Murray juniors and seniors who are participating in a first-year pilot Certificate in Benedictine Formation program. Amid processing deaths of Sisters and family members in recent weeks, it was truly life-giving to experience the youthful energy of these students sharing stories – all nine of them playfully crowded around a small table made for four! It continues to be a privilege to participate in the formation of the next generation of Benedictines in the world.
March 19 – while Sister Sharon’s funeral was smaller than those of Sister Mary Lou and Sister Eleanor, there was also an intimacy as the Sisters and Oblates once again joined in hospitality to welcome family and friends to the monastery. For me (Jeff), it was also my third opportunity in recent weeks to serve as cross-bearer for the funeral and procession to the cemetery. I will always treasure being part of this tradition of solemnly leading the group as we made our way past the pavers and then the tombstones of all the Sisters who have come before during the 77-year history of this monastic community.
March 20 – it felt fitting to me (Kami) that this intense 10 days of Oblate life would wrap up with an evening of Initial Oblate Formation. This is where it all starts for many of us. The conversations between Oblate candidates as they were coming in before evening prayer made it obvious that this was the eighth gathering of this cohort. New friendships are forming, and there is a quiet confidence in the candidates as they enter the chapel to sit near their Sister sponsor. After rich dinner conversations with Sister sponsors and Oblate companions, the candidates enjoyed a wonderful presentation on the Spirituality of Work by Rev. Paul Tillman, OblSB. Discussions throughout this presentation made it obvious that these candidates are beginning to understand what it might mean to live their ordinary lives in an extraordinary way as Oblates of St. Benedict. We wrapped up the evening with Compline in the chapel with a candidate in the prayer leader chair.
While you may not have time to attend every gathering open to Oblates at St. Paul’s Monastery, we do invite you to consider saying yes to one thing each month. Maybe it is making a commitment to reading the Oblate newsletter carefully each month. Perhaps you would like to try attending prayer with the Sisters at least once a month. It could be that you would like to try to attend a monthly practice group, be an Oblate companion for an Oblate candidate or volunteer to serve at the monastery once a month. We know that every time we spend time at St. Paul’s Monastery, we are blessed. It is a gift to spend time with the Sisters, other Oblates and friends of the monastery. Our sense of connection and belonging as Oblates grows each time. We hope to see you at the monastery soon
Jeff Dols and Kami Pohl are two of three co-directors of the Oblates at St. Paul’s Monastery. Kami leads Oblate initial formation. Jeff handles Oblate communications and administration.
