I have been caught up at Oblate School of Theology in the end-of-year rush of exams, grading, and now the various commencement/graduation ceremonies. I am thus filling a few entries by speaking about OST.
I have no doubt that Eugene would recognize his ideals in this campus, commonly referred to as “Oblate” by the people of San Antonio, Texas. He wanted every Oblate house to be a center for mission – a place from which the Oblate mission would irradiate to those not touched by the regular structures of the local church.
The first Oblate house in Aix en Provence was the prototype: missionaries living in apostolic community, who ministered in the house itself and in the surrounding areas. Here at “Oblate” one can recognize all the early Mazenodian ministries: preaching the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments here and in many other venues outside, training people to become mature in the knowledge and practice of their faith and to be formed as missionaries to bring others to the same experience – be they laity, religious or priests. It is a retreat center, a venue for renewal of ministers, a place of integration of missionaries coming to the USA, a meeting place for people of different cultures and ways of life. It is a busy Marian center that attracts thousands of pilgrims to the Tepeyac of Our Lady of Guadalupe and to the grotto of our Lady of Lourdes. It is also a place of rest for our older Oblates, who support the mission in prayer and through the example of their long lives of service. It is also a place of rest for the mortal remains of our Texan Brothers, Priests and Honorary Oblates, who support us through their prayers in the communion of the saints.
Yes, Eugene would definitely recognize the his spirit in the mission here.
For more details see www.ost.edu
Finding the goodness where you are. Finding the joy and passion where you are. I was down at OST for a few days and saw all and experienced some of what Frank has described. A haven but not an escape. It was easy to find Eugene and his spirit there.
Do I find that same spirit, here at home? How are our houses centres of mission, places from which the Oblate mission would irradiate to those not touched by the regular structures of the local church? Is this confined only to our parish or does it somehow work it’s way into our home life? How do I find community here, how do I live community here. What am I really letting go of when I tell myself that I am not called to give everything, that only so much is necessary or asked for, that less than everything is enough?
I have found in the writings of St. Eugene, in his spirit and his living a recipe for a way of life that I have hungered for. I think that we are able to bring with us into this century, this time and these places Eugene’s spirit, forms of his community, mission and prayer without tossing them out. It has certainly been possible at OST. How do I join in with the others to make that possible and a lived reality here at home?
Like the song that has just come out, I hear Frank saying “we are Oblate” and there is joy in pride in his voice. How shall we say and live “we are Oblate”? We begin our Community Days here at home on Monday, our theme for the week is “Fanning the flame to become what we are”. Please keep all of us in your prayers.
Well we will have to put the San Antonio school on our must see list. You can expect a visit Frank, That is after we sojourn to Aix in June where Pere Saverio has kindly agreed to put us up. We will then be heading for Lourdes by way of Carcassonne. And Our Lady of Guadalupe is a very popular marion shrine and we had a recent prayer program to her in the Knights of Columbus. It is all coming together … finally.
Best in marking all those exams, looking forward to our study days here.
Grade those exams with love, gentleness, and an open mind.
Remember – the best written exam may not the best Oblate make; and the best Oblate may not be the best at putting his thoughts on paper. 🙂