Conception Abbey

As Benedictines we all know that we emphasize lectio divina. Lectio divina is primarily the prayerful reading and reflection on the sacred scriptures. I encourage that of course for all of you who are oblates. Try to read some scripture everyday. It will gradually become a part of you and something you want to do as much as you can. If you are able to attend daily Mass it is a good practice to read the scriptures for each day beforehand.

However, besides the sacred scriptures which always take first place, there are many good spiritual books available today. I encourage our oblates to read some of these books also. I know some people like to read more than others. Sometimes, as we get older, our eyes become weaker and we cannot read for long periods of time. But, reading is a wonderful way to expand our minds and hearts and to help us keep abreast of newer developments in spirituality.

What books to read? That is always difficult to decide. We know we cannot read every book that becomes available. We cannot even begin to read all the spiritual books that are available. In the course of the years that I have been Director of the Oblates, I have acquired some books for the oblate office and some of the oblates have also given me books that they have read.

I am now putting those books in some order and will make them available to all the oblates to read. Soon I will be sending you a list of the books that are available in the oblate office. Unfortunately the oblate office is in the monastery itself so I cannot open up the office to all the oblates. However, if you have a list of the books that are available there, you can tell me or give me a note that you would like to read a particular book and I will hold it for you. The list you will receive will be in alphabetical order according to the last name of the author or editor.

I would prefer not to get into the mailing business but when you visit Conception or come for retreat, you can check out one or two of these books and take them home with you and return them when you visit again or come for the next retreat. For those who live far away or are not able to visit at Conception or come for retreats, I will be happy to mail you a book you would like to read and you can send it back when you finish the book.

I hope this will be a service that the oblate office can render to you as faithful oblates of Conception Abbey. I will send the list of books available by e-mail, but you should be able to print a copy from that. For those who do not have e-mail I will be happy to send you a paper copy of the list.

With this very hot weather we are having in the Midwest I hope you are all taking care of yourselves and trying to keep cool as best you can. They keep telling us to drink lots of water in this kind of weather.

Thank you again to all you oblates who were able to come for the "Pray and Work" weekend. That is very much appreciated.

God bless you.