Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
STATUTES OF THE ASSOCIATE OBLATES
Traducción española --- Traduction française
OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Conyers)
CONTENTS:
I. Summary of Statutes
II. Profession Statement
III. Statutes
IV. Appendix l: Inquiry Process
V. Appendix 2: Novice Formation Program
VI. Appendix 3: Reinstatement Policy
VII. Appendix 4: Leadership and Governance
l. SUMMARY STATEMENT
As Associate Oblates following the Rule of St. Benedict, we join many generations of people living outside of monasteries who have been affiliated with monks and nuns of the Benedictine and Cistercian traditions. We hold a great deal in common with all such Oblates of the Rule of St. Benedict. However, our charism as Associate Oblates of a Cistercian monastery calls for a greater emphasis on developing the elements of silence and solitude for interior prayer. The underlying spirituality of an Oblate is the call to live each day as a perpetual novice of the Holy Spirit. The primary concern of the Oblates is to enhance contemplative spirituality in their lives and the lives of those whom they touch.
ll. PROFESSION STATEMENT
We, the Associate Oblates of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit(1), form a community of Catholics living in the world striving for a conversion of life(2) as our free response to the love of God(3). The Associate Oblates are committed to live in a spirit of contemplative prayer and sacrifice in obedience to God's universal call to holiness(4). We accept the Rule of Saint Benedict as our guide for living the Gospel within our chosen vocations(5).
STATUTES OF THE ASSOCIATE OBLATES
OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY SPIRITSECTION A
The Statutes were compiled with much prayer and sharing by the Oblates with reference to the appropriate sections of the Code of Canon Law (CCL), other secular orders, the charism of the Cistercian Order and the vision of the members of the initial Associate Oblate Community. (The basic structure of the Statutes are covered in the Code of Canon Law, numbers 298 - 329.)
A. ASSOCIATE OBLATES ARE CATHOLICS OF ANY VOCATION IN THE CHURCH WHO:
1. Accept the purpose of the association:
a. for personal sanctification within the demands of their vocations;
b. to pray for the spiritual and physical needs of priests and religious;
c. to encourage growth of contemplative prayer among the faithful.
2. Seek a lifestyle which includes:
a. daily - reception of the Holy Eucharist, at the community Mass, when possible;
praying one or more Hours of the Divine Office (CCL 1174)
praying the Rosary;
allotting at least 20 minutes for Lectio divina(6) and meditation;
ending the day by praying the Salve Regina.b. receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently, at least monthly;
c. gathering monthly for a day of prayer and study with the Oblate community;
and as frequently as possible for informal prayer and companionship;
d. spending three more days annually in a contemplative style retreat;
e. contributing to the Church or the poor according to their means.
3 Accept the rule of Saint Benedict as a guide for living the Gospel.
4. Are associated with the spiritual and corporal works of the Monastery.
5. Give special attention to developing appropriate forms of interaction with the Monastic Community.
6. Participate in a two year novitiate period(7).
7. Accept on-going formation concerning contemplative life and the spirituality associated to their vocations.
8. Strive to develop a contemplative dimension within their lives by seeking opportunities for silence, solitude and fasting.
9. And have a special devotion to:
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,
Our Lady of the Assumption, Patroness of the Cistercian Order,
Saints of the Cistercian Order,
the Holy Family and personal patrons.10. The above obligations may be modified or commuted at the discretion of the Spiritual Director if conflict arises within the Oblate's personal life.
SECTION B
B. Relationship of Associate Oblates with: 1) The Monastery, 2) other Associate Oblates, and 3) their family
1. Interaction with the Monastery:
a. the Abbot, in association with the Associate Oblates, assigns at least one priest as the Spiritual Director.
b. without causing detriment to the monastic community, appropriate means should be sought to nurture and include the Oblates in the spiritual life of the Monastery.
c. Oblates have no voting rights in the monastic community, but may give input to the Spiritual Director on matters which may have an impact on the Oblates. The Spiritual Director may pass the input on to the monastic community if he finds it appropriate.
d. in the future should the Oblates be recognized by the local Monastery or the Order, then the Statutes should be modified to correspond with the changes.
e. the Abbot and/or Spiritual Director(s) will receive the promises of those making their Profession
f. for the present, the Jubilee Medal of Saint Benedict suspended on a white cord is the external sign of Oblates' Profession.
g. at the death of an Oblate, the other Oblates should strive to maintain a constant prayer vigil until the funeral Mass. The Mass may be offered by the Abbot or Spiritual Director. When possible, burial may take place at the Monastery.2. Interaction with members of the Associate Oblate Community:
a. individual members are invited to contribute their input to the community with respect to their own gifts and availability
b. the command of Jesus to love one another is the primary focus of the relationship of individual Oblates with one another. Regardless of personality differences, each one is to be reverenced for the desire to love and serve God more deeply. Close friendships with one or more members is encouraged in order to assist one another in spiritual growth(8). Attitudes of competition, jealousy or envy are to be resolved through prayer and the assistance of the Spiritual Director or a Council member.
c. the leadership and governance of the Oblate community is a service rendered by three professed Oblates, elected by the Oblates and Spiritual Director(s). They are referred to as the Council and facilitate internal matters and coordinate with the monastic community.(9)3. Interaction with family members:
a. the first fruits of living the life of prayer as an Oblate are to go to benefit all family members.
b. family members should be as informed as possible about the Oblate commitment and functions.
c. spouses who do not wish to be Oblates may be invited to participate in gatherings of the community.
d. while the Oblate strives to sacrifice time and energy to be free for increased prayer, great care must be taken not to overlook the needs of family members.
e. as the Oblates come with the blessing of their primary family member(s), it is hoped that the family will have a spirit of generosity in helping the Oblate to find time for the gatherings, prayer and retreats.
f. in case of unexpected stress within the family concerning Oblate involvements, the Oblate and family are encouraged to seek guidance from the Spiritual Director(s) and/or fellow Oblates.(6th Edition
11 July 1994
Feast of Saint Benedict)
APPENDIX l
INQUIRY PROCESS
A. For anyone interested in learning more about the Associate Oblates, their Cistercian Spirituality and way of life, the following are recommended as the initial steps:
1. Go on a discernment retreat.
2. Practice praying the Liturgy of the Hours privately.
3. Learn about and practice lectio divina.
4. Receive and study Section A of the Oblate Statutes.
5. Be prepared to make the sacrifice of adaptation to communal life by attending the monthly Oblate gatherings at the Monastery.
6. Meet with one of the Spiritual Directors.B. Preliminary Discernment Process:
1. Associate Oblates may refer to one of the Spiritual Directors as a potential Inquirer any person interested in the Associate Oblate Community.
2. The Inquirer should enter a period of spiritual discernment with the help of the selected Spiritual Director to determine whether the individual's spiritual journey has the same charism as the Associate Oblates'.
3. After a period of discernment, the Spiritual Director will submit the name, address and telephone number to the Oblate Council recommending that the individual be invited to attend the Inquiry Sessions.
4. The Council will send an invitation to the Inquiry Sessions to those candidates who have been referred by the Spiritual Director(s) at least one month prior to the first Inquiry Session.C. Inquiry General Procedures
1. The Inquiry process will take place every two years for those recommended. Three Inquiry Sessions will be held over a period of approximately three months. Inquiry Sessions may take place before the two year period if so decided by the Oblate Community.
2. During the Inquiry Sessions, in the interval before and during the Oblate Community Retreat, the Inquirer will discern with one of the Spiritual Directors about the final decision to begin the Novitiate.
3. If the discernment of the Inquirer and the Spiritual Director affirms the entry of the Inquirer in the Novitiate, a letter of recommendation will be submitted by the Spiritual Director to the Council.D. Inquiry Sessions:
1. The Inquiry Sessions are divided into three parts:
a. An Associate Oblate's vocation.
b. Relation of the Oblates with the Monastery and Oblate Community.
c. Relation of the Oblates with family members.2. The mission of the sessions is to give insights into this particular vocation to help the inquirers in their discernment.
3. The sessions will take place during October, November and December, with preference given to days other than the Associate Oblate meetings.
4. The format of the sessions is as follows:
a. Begin with a prayer given by one of the Spiritual Directors.
b. The Oblate assigned as the chairman of the Inquiry Sessions will present the agenda for the day and will introduce the speaker for the session.
c. The Oblate selected to be the speaker develops the theme of the session (see point l.)
d. Break.
e. Witness Oblates will share their spiritual life experience on the session theme.
f. Questions and answers.
g. End the session with a prayer.5. The session should begin at 3:00pm and end at 5:00pm, so that all in attendance can participate in Vespers with the Monastic Community.
6. During this process Professed Oblates may also help Inquirers in their discernment, and the whole Community should be in prayer for them.E. Inquiry Committee
1. A chairperson with a group of three to four Associate Oblates will be selected to conduct the inquiry process.
2. The committee should include at least one professed Oblate and the chairperson of the previous inquiry session.
3. The committee duties are as follows:
a. Praying for the success of the Inquiry Sessions .
b. Handling secretarial tasks, such as:
(1) Sending letters or invitations to the Inquirers recommended by the Spiritual Directors.
(2) Taking attendance at the sessions
(3) Keeping an updated file of the Inquirers with names, addresses and phone numbers.
(4) Selecting the speakers for each session.
(5) Making tapes of each session and passing to the absentees.
(6) Preparing the room for each session
(7) Notifying the Council of any issue that may require their consideration.F. Closing Statement:
The Associate Oblate Community is not concerned about growing in numbers, but in preserving our identity in this particular vocation and way of life. The Community is open to receive, without discrimination, all who have this same contemplative spirituality in relationship to the Cistercian charism.APPENDIX 2
NOVICE FORMATION
A. Those who complete the Inquiry Sessions and wish to continue in the discernment process will be invited to the January gathering day and the Oblate Retreat Week-end, usually held in February. The Retreat, as organized by the Spiritual Director(s) and the Oblates, will include conferences on the Rule of St. Benedict, the Liturgy of the Hours, and the charisms of Cistercian spirituality.
B. During the week following the Retreat, the Inquirer and Spiritual Director should come to a final discernment concerning reception into the Novitiate.
C. The Spiritual Director will inform the Council in writing of his recommendation concerning reception into the Novitiate.
D. The Rite of Reception of Novices ordinarily tales place on Palm Sunday during the praying of the Oblate Community Morning Office.
E. The two-year Novitiate will include the monthly Oblate gatherings. Conferences will be given by the Spiritual Director(s) with the assistance of designated members of the Oblates. In addition to the formation conferences which are a regular part of each gathering, special classes for novice instruction will be included for a minimum of six months. It is hoped that, with the help of a personal spiritual director, each novice will grow in a contemplative approach to daily life.
F. The professed Oblates have a responsibility to assist in the formation process by prayer, example and/or personal involvement.
G. The goal of formation is two-fold: to help the novice develop a contemplative dimension within the demands of daily life and to foster a deep spirit of community. These are not divergent, but mutually reinforcing aspects.
H. At the end of the two-year formation period novices will be invited to make public Promises in the presence of the Abbot, the Spiritual Director(s) and the Associate Oblate Community. Family and close personal friends may be invited to attend the ceremony. Prior to the Profession Day, the Novice will write a letter to the Abbot stating the intention of becoming a professed Oblate. The Oblate Promises are centered on the Profession Statement. Brief statements reflecting the personal spirituality of the Novice may be added with the basic Profession Statement being read verbatim.
APPENDIX 3
READMISSION OF AN ASSOCIATE OBLATE
A former member of the Associate Oblates desiring readmission is to submit the request in writing to the Oblate Council for consideration. The Council, after consideration, prayer and consultation with the Spiritual Director(s) may place the petition for readmission before the Oblate Community for a vote of approval for readmission. A period of probation will be worked out by the Council before full membership is established.
(NOTE: The preceding statement was prepared taking into account all of the written and verbal input of the Oblates and Spiritual Directors. The Council and the Spiritual Directors have come to agreement on the text.)
APPENDIX 4
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE MODEL RESOLUTION
[The following resolution was formally adopted by the Associate Oblates at the regular monthly meeting on April 12, 1992. There were 21 ballots cast. Two Oblates were absent. It is agreed that the leadership and governance parameters set forth in this resolution constitute the official leadership model of the Community.]
The Community has agreed to institute a three-person elected Council. (Descriptions of the responsibilities of the Council will be reconciled with the wording of the Statutes.) The Council, called to serve by the Community, will discern on behalf of the Community in necessary administrative and decision-making matters. The Council may delegate its responsibilities, thereby utilizing the skills and gifts of individual Community members, as it so chooses. The Council will seek on-going Community input with regard to major decisions.
In order to foster and reinforce continuity of leadership and governance, the terms of service for Council members will overlap. Two members of the Council will serve a one year term, respectively, and the third member will serve a two year term. Council members are required to be professed Oblates and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Council members will be elected by a majority vote taken from the Community and its Spiritual Directors and represented by the presence of a quorum. Council member election is contingent upon quorum representation. A quorum shall consist of at least 2/3 or 67% of the professed Community membership in addition to its Spiritual Directors. A majority vote shall consist of 50% plus one of all professed Community members present. Voting will take place by means of a secret ballot and shall be limited to professed Community members. There will be no nominations nor vote by proxy.
The election process shall consist of each Community member submitting a handwritten ballot listing three candidates of his or her choice. The candidate with the highest number of votes, over and above the required majority vote, will be selected to serve a two-year term. The candidate with the second highest number of votes, over and above the required majority vote, will be selected to serve a one year term; the candidate with the third highest number of votes, over and above the required majority vote, will be selected to serve a one year term. In the event of a tie taking place for the two year term, another vote will be taken. In subsequent elections, Community members will vote for the number of candidates corresponding to the number of positions to be filled. An individual may choose to decline any position to which elected. The Council will select one of its members to serve in the role of liaison between the Oblate Community and the Monastic Community.
Notes
1- In this sentence Our Lady is addressed under the title of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit as the patroness of the Cistercian Monastery in Conyers, Georgia.
2- Our understanding of conversion of life, or conversion of manners, constitutes withdrawal from worldly ways and seeking union with God for those living in the world. Further reflection on this vow as taken by monks and nuns can be found in Chapter 2 of CENTERED ON CHRIST by Dom Augustine Roberts, OCSO.
3- Refer to Chapter 4 of the RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT, "Prefer nothing to the Love of Christ."
4 - Refer to Vatican Council II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Chapter 5.
5- Refer to Chapter 73 of the RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT, "What passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testament is not the truest of guides for human life?"
6 - THE CISTERCIAN WAY, by André Louf, (Cistercian Studies) pp. 74-79. This book is used extensively in teaching and study within the Oblate Community.
7- Appendix 2 contains details of the Novice Formation Program.
8- Spiritual Friendship by St. Aelred of Rivaulx.
9- Appendix 4 contains details of the Leadership and Governance model.
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