Beginning again

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

by Collette Jones, oblate class of 2015 My year-long period of formal oblate formation ended in April of this year. Our class shared our personal rules with each other and the sisters. We made our vows of commitment as an oblate during the beautiful and meaningful service at Holy Wisdom Monastery. (Collette is pictured on that day, right, photo by Kathleen Wessels) Now what??? Now comes that inevitable shift in energy and focus after a significant and long anticipated event, a shift that leaves us feeling a bit disoriented and adrift. After something like a graduation or a holiday or …

Coming home to my roots

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

by Judith M. Davis, oblate class of 2003 Every few months, certainly at least twice a year, I make a 275-mile pilgrimage from Goshen, Indiana to Holy Wisdom. It’s always a trip home, back to my roots as a Benedictine oblate, a privilege that becomes more precious as the years go by. Why do I love being an oblate? Let me count the ways. The love of learning and the desire for God are aspects of Benedictine life that characterized medieval monasteries and that call to me most strongly; Holy Wisdom has nurtured that love and desire in many, many …

2014—the year of communities

Car McGinleyBenedictine Bridge, Care for the Earth, Homepage, Hospitality, Monastic Life, Oblates, Retreats, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

Members from the various communities at Holy Wisdom Monastery come together to celebrate Sister Joanne Kollasch’s 60 years of monastic profession. Sister Joanne sums up community living, “in community you receive so much more than you give.” (Photo by Kent Sweitzer)   As I reflect on the year 2014, I’m amazed at all that has emerged at Holy Wisdom Monastery in one short year. What rises to the top for me is the sense of community. Community living takes many forms here, from the monastic community to the Sunday Assembly worshipping community, to the oblate community, to the volunteer community, the …

Contemplative Dialogue

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

The following principles for entering into contemplative dialogue are adapted from Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton, The Merton Institute, Ave Maria Press. These are the principles that guide respectful and supportive dialogue among the Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery. EIGHT PRINCIPLES FOR ENTERING INTO CONTEMPLATIVE DIALOGUE Focus on your “lived experience” and how the Rule, Scripture, or retreat theme connects to your everyday life. Keep your comments rooted in your own experience. Express your own thoughts knowing that others will listen and reflect upon what you say without responding verbally. It is helpful to use “I” statements or to …

Homecoming!

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

By Marcia Krater, oblate class of 2008  All oblates and oblate candidates are invited to celebrate 15 years as a community, July 18-20, 2014.                                   Oblates and sisters celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the oblate community.On July 18-20, 2014, the Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery will celebrate 15 years as a community! What does it mean to be an oblate? Here is what oblates have said: It “is about sharing and exploring how the Rule of Benedict guides our lives” towards God. “We are a …

Welcoming New Members

Lynne Smith, OSBBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

The 2014 oblate class with the sisters. Front row (l-r): Nancy Schubert, Heidi Haverkamp, Cindy Urich, Jane Ayer, Amy Fallon, Laura Woodworth. Back row (l-r): Lynne Smith, OSB, Joe Schubert, Ron Ballew, Marian Wasierski, Ellen Joyce, Jill Graybill, Joanne Kollasch, OSB, Jennifer Dobson, Mary David Walgenbach, OSB.At evening prayer on Saturday, April 26, 2014, the assembly room in the monastery resounded with song, Scripture and affirmation as the sisters and oblate community received the promises of twelve new oblates. In this special service, held once each year, the oblate candidates come forward to receive their oblate pin from Sister Mary David Walgenbach …

From the Archives – March 2014

Holy Wisdom MonasteryBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

From the Archives Oblates of St. Benedict, Academy of St. Benedict, 1963 Oblate Class of 2013 The Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery is an intentional community of women and men who find a practical spirituality in the Rule of Benedict. Oblates embark on a spiritual journey with believers of diverse backgrounds and faith practices. Drawing inspiration from the Rule of Benedict, oblates lead ordinary lives where they live and work, seeking to balance prayer, work and leisure. They meet regularly to share their lives and grow through Benedictine spirituality. To learn more about becoming an oblate, visit our web page or contact Sister …

Many Forms of Membership

Lynne Smith, OSBBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

Holy Wisdom Monastery provides many ways for women and men to take part in the mission and vision of the sisters’ community. The oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery are one group that shares in our mission and vision. The oblates are an intentional and ecumenical community of women and men in society. In a mutual relationship with the sisters, they seek God through the Benedictine tradition of a balanced life of prayer, work, leisure, and study. The oblate community provides its own leadership. The leadership circle attends to the on-going details of the life of the community. It chooses speakers …

Welcoming a New Oblate Class

Mike Sweitzer-BeckmanBenedictine Bridge, Oblates Leave a Comment

I had the opportunity to visit with Sandy Adams, a member of the oblate community at Holy Wisdom Monastery. In her role as Oblate Formation Circle Facilitator, Sandy interviewed this year’s incoming class of candidates, which is now at 13. She shared some of her experiences of journeying with the candidates during their discernment process. The Oblates of Holy Wisdom Monastery is an intentional community of women and men who find a practical spirituality in the Rule of Benedict. Oblates embark on a spiritual journey with believers of diverse backgrounds and faith practices. Drawing inspiration from the Rule of Benedict, oblates lead …

Celebrating the gift of ecumenical Benedictine community

Lynne Smith, OSBLiving in Community, Monastic Life, Oblates, Sunday Assembly, Women Exploring Community Leave a Comment

Today, February 17, 2012, marks the 6th anniversary of our official re-founding as an ecumenical Benedictine community for Benedictine Women of Madison. “A New World Order” is how the media sees it. “Welcoming women of all Christian traditions” is how we talk about it. “It is a gift to be welcomed into a community” is how a recent Volunteer in Community experiences it. The history that brings us to this day is rich and deep, as Sister Mary David Walgenbach recalls: The first steps were inspired by the decrees of the Second Vatican Council and the Community of Taize, France. …