An Initial Mutual Blessing

Certificate in Benedictine Formation - An Initial Mutual Blessing

When the Mutual Blessings announcement came out last November, many of us in the Oblate community were excited about possible new connections opening between the communities of St. Paul’s Monastery and Hill-Murray. Months before that announcement, one of the first tangible manifestations of those new connections was already being conceived. A new program for Hill-Murray juniors and seniors called Certificate in Benedictine Formation (CBF) began with a simple idea last spring that has blossomed into the first of its kind pilot program that launched in November. Here is the story of the birth of this new endeavor in the voices of its three primary architects:   Dr. Sue Skinner, Vice President of Mission at Hill Murray, Jeff Dols and Kami Pohl, Oblate Co-Directors at St. Paul’s Monastery.

Dr Sue Skinner on Certificate in Benedictine Formation
Dr. Sue Skinner

There has been some national research published over the last couple of years indicating that young people are leaving, or have already left, the institutional Church. The research describes the phenomenon that young people are not attending Mass or religious services and are suspicious of organized religion. While there is validity to these findings, the untold story is that these same young people are also hungry for meaning and purpose. They are seekers and are open to deepening their spiritual life. 

Last year we surveyed our Hill-Murray students and found that 93% indicated that they are at least somewhat aware of God’s presence in their life and 66% indicated that their religious faith is important to them. Over 97% of the Hill-Murray students indicate that at some level they find meaning and purpose in their life. The Certificate in Benedictine Formation is grounded in the desire to provide students with support and love as they learn more about how the Rule of St Benedict can inform how they understand themselves and their community life. Purpose, meaning, and spirituality come alive in conversation about hospitality, about listening, about humility – about being together in community. It’s such a blessing to see young people as seekers – truly a Benedictine endeavor. This first cohort was designed as a pilot, but I can say with conviction that the Certificate in Benedictine Formation program is a keeper.

Jeff Dols on the Certificate in Benedictine Formation
Jeff Dols

Through our planning conversations over the course of the summer, we got more excited about how this program was taking shape. While the general structure is loosely based on the modules of Oblate initial formation, each session is more condensed and tailored to the needs of the Hill-Murray students. We wanted to focus as much on offering the students experiences of prayer and interactions at the monastery as on sharing information. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate at graduation that will also appear on their transcript.  When we were ready to announce the program and invite students to register, we were thrilled with the response! Eleven juniors and seniors said ‘Yes’ to our initial invitation. Here is the schedule of modules for the year:

November 19-20, 2024 – Opening Retreat: Upon This Tradition
January 14, 2025 – Heart of the Prologue
February 5 – Prayer with the Sisters
February 7 – Benedictine Contemplative Prayer
February 25 – Benedictine Spirituality (Humility)
March 18 – Spirituality of Leadership and Work
April 25 – Commissioning / Going Forth / Good Zeal

Kami Pohl on the Certificate in Benedictine Formation
Kami Pohl

When Dr. Skinner first approached Jeff and I about partnering with her to offer the Certificate in Benedictine Formation, it touched into a deep desire the Oblates have had to bridge a new connection with the students at Hill-Murray. We are excited to continue the Sister’s legacy of modeling the Benedictine charism with students. As Oblates, we also offer our experiences of finding ways to live Gospel values as expressed in the Rule of Benedict in the spirit of monasticism out in the world.

We have found common ground with the Hill-Murray students by sharing prayer experiences and studying the Rule of Benedict together. The students told us at the end of the opening retreat that they had been exposed to some of the prayer practices we did at the retreat in classes at school, but that it felt different praying together at the monastery. We pray that this quiet, sacred, prayer-filled space will become an important part of their high school experience. Our dream would be that this taste of Benedictine Formation and the Rule of Benedict will lead to continued study of the Rule of Benedict at some point in their lives. That the students would find the Rule of Benedict a helpful guide for living out their own faith in their adult lives. And that they would remember that St. Paul’s Monastery and the Benedictine Center are here for them when they need sacred space for times of quiet, prayerful reflection throughout their lives.