Author: Brother Nicholas Ob OSB

Prayers for Retreatants (and Regrets for Absence) at the Oblate Retreat 2024

October 2, 2024

Dearest sisters and brothers, Oblates of Mount Saviour; Professed Community members; those in discernment; and friends: My note is to express deep disappointment at not being able to join you for our annual retreat 2024 in praising God, in “preferring nothing to the love of Christ”; in getting renewed by the Gospels, in silence and contemplation, … More Prayers for Retreatants (and Regrets for Absence) at the Oblate Retreat 2024

Blessings on the Feast of the Patroness of Benedictine Oblates-St Frances of Rome

March 9, 2022

Greetings Oblates and Professed Brothers & Sisters, Happy Feast Day!  St Frances of Rome – March 9th Patroness of Benedictine Oblates  Although during Lent, feast days are often subsumed by our Lenten fasting, prayers, works of charity, and our preferential option to serve the anawim of God, I’d like to not forget St. Frances of Rome, … More Blessings on the Feast of the Patroness of Benedictine Oblates-St Frances of Rome

“Only a Love Stronger than Death Will Satisfy”- Blessed Maria Gabriella O.C.S.O.

March 20, 2020

“Only a Love Stronger than Death Will Satisfy” Greetings in Christ’s Peace, “…the way to self-fulfillment is self-donation; only a love stronger than death will satisfy.” — Blessed Maria Gabriella [from David P. Lavich, OCSO, (Trans.). (2019). “The Letters of Blessed Maria Gabriella with the Notebooks of Mother Pia Gullini,” (p. ix). Athens, OH: Cistercian … More “Only a Love Stronger than Death Will Satisfy”- Blessed Maria Gabriella O.C.S.O.

Walking into the Present Moment with “Eyes wide Open”

March 15, 2020

March 15, 2020, The Third Sunday in Lent “My eyes are always on the Lord, for God rescues my feet from the snare” Ps 24:15 Greetings and love, I’ve been thinking and meditating a lot more than usual, and wanted to send a brief note. Meditating is a bit easier to do these days since … More Walking into the Present Moment with “Eyes wide Open”

“Standing on the Front Porch of Lent”: Septuagesima, the Three Weeks, “Pre-Lent” …a time to prepare for separation from the “noisy distractions of the world…” Or, another way of seeing it, “easing into Lent.” February 8, 2020

February 8, 2020

“Standing on the Front Porch of Lent”: Septuagesima, the Three Weeks, “Pre-Lent” …a time to prepare for separation from the “noisy distractions of the world…” Or, another way of seeing it, “easing into Lent.” Brother Nicholas Obl.S.B., Mount Saviour Monastery February 8, 2020: Who can imagine that in three weeks, Lent will begin? It seems … More “Standing on the Front Porch of Lent”: Septuagesima, the Three Weeks, “Pre-Lent” …a time to prepare for separation from the “noisy distractions of the world…” Or, another way of seeing it, “easing into Lent.” February 8, 2020

St. Benedict’s Transitus (His “Passing Over”) March 21, 2019

March 21, 2019

[A snippet from my personal journal that I thought I’d share. I hope it is appropriate to do so. + In Nomine Domini +] Yesterday, I had a doctor’s appointment in a large city an hour train ride from my home. I mistakenly thought the appointment was for 11:30 am, only to find upon arrival … More St. Benedict’s Transitus (His “Passing Over”) March 21, 2019

Reflections on Saint Frances of Rome, Patroness of Oblates – March 9th Feast Day (2019)

March 9, 2019

Saint Frances of Rome (b. 1384) was the daughter of wealthy aristocratic parents. Although she would have preferred to become a nun as a youth, she accepted her parent’s wishes and married. She was a wife for forty years and birthed three children. Tragically, Frances’ two daughters were killed in the chaos of Rome at … More Reflections on Saint Frances of Rome, Patroness of Oblates – March 9th Feast Day (2019)

Oblates as Witnesses: November 23, 2018: [A Post-Script to My Journal Reflection on October 18, 2018]

November 28, 2018

Fall has changed to Winter, at least on the landscape, even if not officially on the calendar. A few days ago an unexpected snowstorm struck while I was away from home. Driving back, my truck slide into a ditch. I waited three hours for AAA to “extricate” me, but help never arrived. When I re-contacted … More Oblates as Witnesses: November 23, 2018: [A Post-Script to My Journal Reflection on October 18, 2018]