A few weeks ago, Sharon and I travelled over to the St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana. We have had a relationship with the monastery there for nearly ten years and have enjoyed visiting their peaceful community several times.
This was a special trip, however. Shortly after Noon prayer in the Abbey church, I stood before Fr. Meinrad and a few of the other monks in order to be invested as an Oblate Novice. This begins a year of prayer and study led by Fr. Meinrad into a deeper walk with God. I have pledged to spend the next year studying the Rule of St. Benedict, praying daily the Divine Office, practicing lectio divina and growing in my own spiritual formation.
The small ceremony was interesting and went by quickly. I received a load of materials to study, along with an Oblate Scapular and the Medal of St. Benedict. (I later found out that Sharon and Fr. Meinrad had been conspiring via email about the weekend, and she gave me my own copy of the Oblate Liturgy.) I didn’t have much time to drink in what was going on, and before I knew it I was being blessed by the five or so monks that had witnessed the ceremony. Afterwards, it struck me that I had had the ordination that I never received in all my years of ministry which brought tears to my eyes.
After the ceremony we had an unexpected lunch with Fr. Meinrad (Oblate Director for the archabbey), who shared many stories of his years at St. Meinrad. We had beautiful early spring weather, and enjoyed walking the grounds as much as we could.
What a great beginning to what I believe will be a challenging and insightful journey!
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