Oblate history

In the Name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
I offer myself to Almighty God…

Through the Blessed Virgin
Mary and our Holy Father
Benedict…

As an Oblate of Saint Benedict
Monastery, Bristow, Virginia…

I promise to dedicate myself to the
service of God and humanity…

According to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Rule of
Benedict, in so far as my state in life permits.

“What is it that makes Oblates unique?
What tenets inform our lives? They include
universality of spirit, commitment to the
Rule, and constant witnessing. These offer
Oblates a special kind of inform our lives?

They include universality of spirit, commitment to the
Rule, and constant witnessing. These offer Oblates a
special kind of stability that we may otherwise not have
because we do not live in a monastic community. We
are, however, a community without walls – one in the world
and whose presence offers daily opportunity for
reflection, faith, and service. It is a stability of the heart, and
we need only to listen!”
~Catherine Nolte Evans, Obl.S.B.

In the beginning. . .

“Our Oblate Program in Bristow came into being
because of a simple request by two couples to
learn how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Sister
Helen Johnston introduced them to Sister
Ernestine Johann…

“Sister Ernestine…quickly realized that besides
wanting to pray as Benedictines prayed, the
couples also wanted a closer affiliation with our
community. (She) sent out an invitation to
ascertain interest in establishing an oblate
program. The response was gratifying…”
~Sister Andrea Verchuck, OSB

“In a centuries-old ceremony at
the Benedictine Priory in
Bristow, 15 members of the laity
received as Benedictine (Oblate Novices) by Sr. Ernestine
recently were
Johann, prioress. (They are): Mrs. John Cole, Mr. and Mrs.
John Q. Rathbone, and Howard Rivenburg, all of Manassas;
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Day of Oxon Hill, Md.; Ms. Rosemarie
Ficco of Warrenton; Mr. and Mrs. Philip M. Gallagher of
Herndon; Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hinkell of Nokesville; Mrs.
Andrew Johnson of Vienna; Mrs. Stephen Lafferty of
Baltimore; and Mr. and Mrs. William Farquhar of Bristow.”

Arlington Catholic Herald, March 8, 1979

“In being able to admit my flaws and in forgiving
myself for them, I can also do this for
others, freeing me to serve them without
passing judgment. This is truly the most
precious gift that I have received through
becoming an Oblate…and through contact with
the…sisters…-the gift of unconditional love.”
• Janet Frick, Obl.S.B.

“I was in the very first group of Oblates…I had always loved all the sisters and visited them at the
monastery frequently. I was especially fond of Sister Ernestine, and she seemed to be interested in
having a way that lay people could be connected to the monastery and the Benedictine way of
life, so she started the Oblate program.

We would meet once a month, on a Sunday afternoon…Most of the Sisters also joined us. Sister
Ernestine gave a talk, always a very meaningful one, for about a half-hour. Then we took about a
ten-minute break after which we returned to our seats and had a discussion on Sister's talk. At the
side table there was a spread of the most delicious homemade cookies you ever saw. So we
indulged in them and chatted some more before going home.

I loved going to the meetings. They were so inspiring, and I really
needed those moments of spirituality in my life. Thirty years ago
I was married and had a daughter who was five and a son who was
four. I have to admit that going to Bristow once a month was a bit
of an escape for me in addition to the spiritual benefits, because it
was about the only time I could go someplace alone. When those
Sundays came around, my children would always chant,
‘Mom's going to Bristow, to get more Istow!’ ”
Christine Johnson, Obl.S.B.

“In 1978, Sister Ernestine…started the oblate program…By March
of 1979, fifteen men and women were received as Benedictine
Oblates; by July of that year five more persons were received.
Sister Ernestine continued to direct the oblate program until she
moved to Richmond in 1983. By then, the number of oblates had
grown to twenty- six.
(I) directed the program for several years following, (and) invited
several sisters, among them Sisters Anita Sherwood, Cecilia Dwyer,
Ernestine Johann, and Glenna Smith, to make presentations to the
oblates.”
Sister Andrea Verchuck, OSB

“The monastic life is an amazing thing! While it is grounded in traditional,
centuries-old values, it is still flexible and adaptable enough to make room
for the future. Our oblates have a pivotal role in that future, and your
concerns and dreams are greatly valued. One of the most foundational
strengths of monasticism is stability. It means that Saint Benedict
Monastery in Bristow, Virginia, is our home for life - not any other
monastery. By our profession of stability we become ”people of place”. By
our profession of stability our monastic identity is formed as we are
incorporated into the monastery of our choice with its own culture.
Stability in community equates to a similar value of strong ties within
families.”
Sister Cecilia Dwyer, OSB

Meetings: Sunday Schedule:
Sept. 7 (Picnic) 8 a.m. - Morning Prayer
Nov. 7 9 a.m. - Eucharist
Jan. 18 10:30 a.m.- Brunch
March 15 11 a.m. - Private Prayer
May 17 Video tape
Visiting
2:15 p.m. - Novice instructions
2:45 p.m. - Refreshments
3:00 p.m. - TALK
4:30 p.m. - Evening Prayer

“The topics for the meetings will be taken directly from the Holy Rule and
its relation to modern lay life…”

“Everyone called her ‘Grandma’.”
George Healey, Obl.S.B.

“In a nutshell she was the sweetest dearest lady that ever came down the road. Every (Oblate) Sunday
afternoon Sister Agnes would be standing in the breezeway window looking down the driveway for
me to drive up…One Sunday they had a bad accident on 95 which meant that I was 30 minutes late
getting there…by the time I got there Sister Agnes was fit to be tied…she was so afraid that
something had happened to me.
One of the things that you will never forget about Sister Agnes, she baked the most wonderful cookies
that you have ever eaten. She would bake two or three plates of cookies for the oblate
meeting, she was famous for her plates of cookies.
I was talking to Sister Agnes one afternoon about the days when sisters wore their habits. Sister Agnes
said, ‘When we wore our habits people would defer to us and that’s not the way it was supposed to
be. When we took off our habits we could defer to them and that’s the way it should be.’
She was an inspiration…by the way she lived out her monastic life she inspired people to be better…to
reach higher, and it was not in her words but in the way she lived out her monastic life…for my
part, she is, will always be, one of the real saints.”
John Gibson, Obl.S.B.

Meetings: Sunday Schedule:
Nov. 22 2:30 p.m. – Gathering and Coffee
Jan. 17 3:00 p.m. – Presentation
March 20 4:30 p.m. – Evening Prayer
Late May? 5:00 p.m. - Supper

“Greetings from your new director!...The presentor of our first
meeting will be Abbot Leonard Vickers, OSB…He will speak on
the Rule of St. Benedict.”
Sister Agnes O’Mara, OSB

“This year’s Oblate Meetings will coincide with the Sisters’
monthly recollection day which will give you more
opportunities to join us…The day will begin with coffee and
gathering at 1 p.m. and end with supper at 5 p.m.”

October 16th Oblate Meeting: Father Richard Sudlick, OMI, gave
two presentations: “Daily Spirituality” and “Reflections on the
Blessed Mother”.

November 20th Oblate Meeting: Sister Cecilia shared videos of
her trip to Europe and the Holy Land.

“We will not have a meeting on Dec. 17 (1989) as scheduled. In
place of that meeting, you are invited to attend the end of the
year retreat day with the Sisters…”

“It was gratifying to have so many of you with us at the January
(1990) meeting. We thank Sister Andrea for her fine
presentation on prayer. Sister involved the Oblates by asking
George & Kay Gibson and John Gibson to relate some of their
prayer experiences…”

(First mention of Oblates speaking at a meeting.)

January 20: Community/Oblate Meeting with speaker Sister Melania
Svoboda, SND, from Middleburg, Virginia.

February Oblate Meeting: Deacon Mr. Emil Myskowski, speaker.

March 17: Oblate Meeting with speaker James Schellmann, Associate Director
of the International Commission for English in the Liturgy, presenting “Prayer
Life of a Christian, Personal & Liturgical”.

April 21: Oblate Meeting with presenter Dottie McClintic, Obl.S.B. of St. Anselm
Abbey, discussing “Scripture and Our Daily Lives”.

May 19: Oblate Meeting with video on The Rule narrated by Sister Joan
Chittester, OSB. Ceremonies of Oblation and Candidacy.

“I have enjoyed my years of being with you, working with and praying with you.
Without a doubt, you, as a group and as individuals , have called me to a new and
deeper ways of understanding and living Benedict’s Rule. You have helped me to
‘Listen with the ear of my heart.’”
Sister Laurence Bucher, OSB

“Under (Sister Laurence’s) guidance, the Oblate Program has
attracted approximately 75 people with a mixture of interests in
various aspects of the program…the many fine accomplishments
and works of Sister Laurence in her role of Director have made the
Oblate Program a standout.”
The Bristow Bulletin
March,2002

The Rule of St. Benedict:
Chapter 16 “The Celebration of the Divine Office During
the Day”
Chapter 72 “The Good Zeal of Monastics”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Part II “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery”
Section I “The Sacramental Economy”
Section II “The Seven Sacraments of the Church”

(Yes, all this was one meeting!)

“Being accepted as a Benedictine oblate was
most important to me since I had been in
the community for seventeen years.
Dispensation from my vows did not erase
the spirit of Saint Benedict or The Rule.
Coming back to the community through the
Oblate program gave new life to my
monastic calling.”
Suzanne Gallagher, Obl.S.B.

“Throughout all the years, the Benedictine
Community has been there providing support
and love when we needed it. It has been
the true Body of Christ in my life and has
shown me how to be the Body of Christ to
all I encounter.”
Linda Gulden Obl.S.B.

“Presentations are made by two presenters, one of whom is an oblate. The
change in format (a 20 minute talk, a brief break followed by reflection, a
short group discussion and comments) has brought about active
participation. We are learning that each of us is part of the whole and it is
enriching to hear what others have to offer…The Bristow community invites
you to join us on the Fourth Sunday of the month from 3:00-4:15 p.m.”

Josephine Zimmermann, Obl.S.B.
her sister, Sister Henry Marie Zimmermann, OSB
and her brother, Brother Andrew Zimmermann, OSB

Sister Louise Dowgiallo, OSB,
her mother, Julia Dowgiallo, Obl.S.B.
and her sister-in-law, Frances Knott Dowgiallo, Obl.S.B.

Edward P. Ix, Obl.S.B.
and his daughter, Sister Vicki Ix, OSB

Richmond Deanery
“ A new and exciting challenge is going to be undertaken by the Oblates…After
much prayer and discernment, the Sisters and the Oblates agree that there
is a need for the Oblates to be able to meet at St. Gertrude’s in
Richmond, as well as at the…monastery in Bristow…Yes, the program is
taking on a new look and life but it hopes to keep the same commitment of
spending time with the Scriptures and reflecting on the Rule…”
September, 2000

“(Sister) Gertrude was a real lover of all things
Benedictine and monastic. She helped to begin our
Oblate program in Richmond and it was of the highest
priority for her.”

Sister Cecilia
Dwyer, OSB

“I remember (her) spirited, generous, joyous welcome of me…Practicing
obedience to her has been a light-hearted and healing experience.”
Ellen Cronin, Obl.S.B.

“(She was) a very gentle woman who could move mountains. She could
accomplish anything she set her mind to. I will miss her tug on her veil
(and) her huge smile that came from within…”
Sue Riley, Obl.S.B.

“The last job (Sister) Eileen took on was directing our Oblate program…which
started at the monastery only, (and) now has sites in Richmond,
(Bedford), and Nevada. Don’t even ask! Eileen did not initiate all of
these sites. Let’s just say that God made an opportunity and Eileen,
with the help of her sisters, jumped on it.”

 First published in December, 2002.
 Donna Dettmann, Obl.S.B., editor 2002-2003
 Margarite Arrighi, Obl.S.B., editor 2003-2007
 Marissa Olszewski, Obl.S.B., editor 2007-present

Connie Ruth Lupton, Obl.S.B., became
Sister Connie Ruth Lupton, OSB, and
made her perpetual monastic
profession on September 2, 2006.

Rosemarie Ficco, Suzanne Gallagher, and
Christine Johnson – former community
members of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia
– became Oblates of the community with the
first group in 1980. Rosemarie later assisted in
the founding of the Nevada Deanery and
served as its first Dean. Suzanne aided
establishment of the Bedford Oblate Deanery
and was its first Dean.

Nevada Deanery

“I approached our...pastor…about the possibility of beginning a Benedictine Oblate
program…Having been a member of the Bristow Benedictines…and an Oblate…I wrote
Sister Andrea…(who) forwarded my letter to Sister Eileen, and we were on a roll!...On May
8, 2003, Sister Andrea and Eileen came for our first Oblation ceremony---24 members were
received…”
Rosemarie Ficco, Obl.S.B.

“We are a group of 27 Oblates with two inquiring candidates…Almita Bey-Carrion, graciously and
lovingly guides us and spiritually feeds us at our monthly evening meeting…We are kept
abreast of information from Bristow, Virginia, and then discuss an assigned monthly reading
from The Rule. Almita closes with a spiritual reflection…(some) of us…meet once a
week…for Morning Prayer before Mass.”

Sharon Hennessy-York, Obl.S.B.
Easter, 2008

Oblate Meetings – 2nd Saturday of the month in Bristow,
3rd Saturday of the month in Richmond

“Each month a sister will present a talk of about a half-hour on
the theme followed by a fifteen minute response reflection
from an oblate..with time for the other oblates to share
personal reflection. The sisters have Office at 9 a.m. followed
by Mass…The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
Midday Prayer is at 12 noon, followed by lunch with the
sisters. From 1-2 p.m. the Candidates (and all interested)
will reconvene for discussion.”
Sister Eileen Heaps, OSB

“Being connected to this Community for all
these years, I truly appreciated the Oblate
program.”
Bill Farquhar, Obl.S.B.

“(Saint Benedict’s) Rule has such a
personal, gently commanding voice that my
heart feels he’s talking to me…I am
thoroughly sustained and enriched by…his
guidance…For the price of
obedience, moderation, and hospitality each
of us (can) find ourselves blessed with
consideration, comfort, and stability
and…knowing that one’s true essence is
holiness…To me, that is heaven on earth.”
Rita Lombardo, Obl.S.B.

Bedford Deanery
“Suzanne and Phil, I have some ideas about you two starting a
Bristow Oblate Chapter up there…something interesting
happened over the summer. Rosemarie Ficco, who lives in
Nevada now, is starting a…chapter out there…it’s a long
story of God’s doing…Blessing on you two up there
spreading Benedict!”
Sister Eileen Heaps, OSB
August 27, 2002

“We wanted to give you an update on our first meeting
yesterday. We had a total of sixteen people…It was decided
to meet the 2nd Saturday of each month here in Bedford...”
Rita Zimmermann, Obl.S.B.
August 14, 2005

“The first time the Oblates were allowed to attend (NAABOD), I went with Sister Laurence to St. Meinrad…we
saw Thomas Merton’s grave (in Bardstown, KY) and visited the Sisters.”
George Healey, Obl.S.B.

“Every other summer, the Oblate Directors attend a Directors’ conference. Directors and some Oblates meet to
share ideas and concerns while offering support to one another. St. John’s Abbey (MN) and St. Benedict’s
Monastery (MN) will host the conference this summer…Oblates Kathy Frick and Donna Dettmann along with
Sister Gertrude…and I plan to attend’”

“I've attended numerous NAABOD conferences through the years, first few as a "guest oblate" and then as an
Oblate Co-Director. One of the most heartening thing for me is to have seen the growth in understanding of
what oblation means. When I first started attending, oblates were looked on, for the most part, as a special
type of volunteer. As time when on, the realization that oblates are as Benedictine as the vowed monastics
has become the norm. The words "oblate program" are being replaced with "oblate way of life." Oblate
directors are becoming facilitators, more than simply instructors, for the healthy exchange of ideas and
understanding of Benedictism between the oblates and monastics.”
Katherine Frick, Obl.S.B.

“The Benedictine Oblate Community:
Director – Sister Eileen Heaps, OSB
Administrative Assistant – Deborah Fancher, Obl.S.B.
Refreshment Coordinator – Volunteer needed
Coffee Man – Ed Ix, Obl.S.B.
Treasurer – Susan Ragan, Obl.S.B.
Newsletter Editor – Margarite Arrighi, Obl.S.B.”
OSBVA Oblate Newsletter
Fall, 2005

(The Sherpas!)

“God has led me many places. It is because of His direction
that I now have the Benedictine Sisters…as my
friend(s), for which I am most grateful. When I became
an Oblate…it was a moving experience…I mentioned to
one of my friends that I almost cried. Her reply was that
that was all right as she had cried for me.”
Juanita Oliver, Obl.S.B.

“I am most impressed with the depth of faith
and shared desire to grow in faith of all who
are a part of the Oblate groups. I have
appreciated the maturity and depth of
meeting presentations and the faith sharing
that follows. The cohesiveness of fellowship
also speaks to the quality of leadership
Kathy and Sister Charlotte embody, truly of
the Benedictine spirit…a servant leadership
sensitive to the diversity of the group.”
Sharon Watkins, Oblate Novice

“A major milestone in my spiritual
journey! The ceremony was
beautifully done and the
experience will be a special
memory for years to come.”
Eugene Epperly, Obl.S.B.

“As I looked around the chapel at
the Sisters, new Oblates, and
Candidates, I felt a surge of
emotions. To be in that place
and to be accepted was a
humbling experience. I will try
by prayer, example and counsel
to be a blessing to the
Benedictine Sisters and the
Oblates…”
Gillian Quintana, Obl.S.B.

“So let us begin (this new Oblate year) in God’s name, and with God’s help,
and with the encouragement of one another.”
Sister Anita Sherwood, OSB

“Putting her education together with her marvelous
faithful life-experience as a Benedictine Sister, it is
obvious that (Sister Anita) has much to offer the Oblates
and is eagerly looking forward to the experience…
Katherine…loves all things Benedictine, attends the
Oblate Directors’ meetings and keeps all her fingers and
toes immersed in Benedictine experiences!”

“I sought out community specifically as an Oblate …because I
needed the wisdom and support of a committed and prayerful
group to help me find God and a passion for the Gospel in my
very ordinary life. It seemed that this was the core of
the…Rule, somehow allowing the daily to transform us.”
Diane Hastings, Obl.S.B.

“It is comforting to know we are not alone in our striving. When I
look around the room at our meetings I see other(s), just like
me, wanting to grow closer to God and become all God created
us to be.”
Almita Bey-Carrion, Obl.S.B.

“Benedictines, be they oblates or vowed, possess a zeal and desire to hear and live by the wisdom of
Saint Benedict and the wisdom of the Rule which is an expression of the Gospel life.”
Sister Charlotte Lee, OSB

“Ever since I made the decision to become an oblate, I've worked hard to give this way of looking at the world and
living it with a Benedictine spirit priority in my life. When Sister Cecilia asked if I would be willing to act as Co-
Director with Sister Anita, I was overwhelmed. I felt as if Christmas had come early and Santa had given
me everything on my list!! As the years pass and I have had an in-depth opportunity to experience the gift of
working with Sr. Anita, Sr. Charlotte Lee and all those who are walking the Benedictine path of oblation, I still
feel as if everything on my wish list continues to be answered. However, I've come to believe that it is those
Holy Twins, Benedict and Scholastica, not Santa, who are sending the wonderful people of Benedictine
oblation into my life.”
Katherine Frick, Obl.S.B.

(Jake, Sister, Elwood, and Kathy!)

November, 2007, attended by 48 Oblates, Oblate
Novices, and friends. Sister Cecilia Dwyer, Prioress, gave
three conferences on “Hospitality of the Heart”.

Rita Zimmermann made her Oblation during Midday Prayer.

Oblate Survey - 2008
How do you see yourself sharing your spirituality with others…?

“…by modeling the framework of Benedictinism – prayer first, tasks of
everyday life second.”

“By example and action – striving to live every day without hurt or injury to
others, strengthening my spiritual life, and prayer.”

“…’Listen with the ear of your heart’…continues to draw me into the deepest
meaning of hospitality.”

“Educate regarding Lectio Divina, spirit of the Benedictines, living
simply, working on areas of hospitality and beauty in surroundings.
Working on issues of justice and equity in dealings with clients and co-
workers.”

Overheard as one of the Sisters was introducing an Oblate to a visitor –

“This is (Jane Doe). She is a
member of our community, she’s
one of our Oblates.” December, 2008

“Let us praise our God –
and give thanks for all His blessings.
May the Divine assistance remain always with us
– and with our absent sisters and brothers.”

Closing of the Sisters’ Liturgy of the Hours
(including the word “brothers” in specific reference to their Oblates)

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Rule of
Benedict, the Oblate Advisory Council of the Benedictine
Sisters of Virginia exists to advise the Oblate Director(s) by
facilitating the sharing of the oblates’ ideas about
programs, formation, service, activities, and
communication.

Members of the Inaugural Council (2008-2010):
 Sister Charlotte Lee, OSB, and Katherine Frick, Obl.S.B., Oblate Co-Directors
 Bedford Deanery: Oblates Sharon Burrow and Rita Zimmermann
 Bristow Deanery: Deborah Fancher, Obl.S.B.
 Nevada Deanery: Oblates Almita Bey-Carrion and Lin Wilder
 Richmond Deanery: Oblates Patricia Hartsock and Catherine Nolte Evans

Oblate Survey - 2008
What is one aspect of Benedictine living that has most influenced
your life?

“Simplicity and room for quiet contemplation which enables us to hear God.
Both are counter-cultural in our noisy, frantic and materialistic world.”

“A life of balance based on true humility.”

“The Rule, experienced, studied and practiced in community, has given me
life and brought me close to God.”

“I take comfort in the fact that in monasteries throughout…the world prayers
are being offered…I can also participate by…praying the Divine Office and
feel connected to these holy people who have committed themselves
unreservedly to the Lord.”

“Prayer, work, community, listening – Benedictine
virtues all – pervade the entire monastery
experience. What a wonderful opportunity it is to
share in the wisdom, joy, worship, and good works
of this Benedictine monastery.” Margarite Arrighi, Obl.S.B.

“Oblates are lay persons who commit
themselves to living the Benedictine Rule
as best they can in their lay life. The
monastery of their oblation becomes their
spiritual home.”

30 YEARS
and
STILL GROWING

Whoever you may be, then, in your eagerness to reach
your Father’s home in heaven, be faithful with Christ’s
help to this small Rule which is only a beginning.
RB 73

Listen, child of God, to the guidance of your teacher. Attend to the message
you hear and make sure that it pierces to your heart, so that you may accept
with willing freedom and fulfill by the way you live the directions that come
from your loving Father. RB Prologue

My words are addressed to you
especially, whoever you may be, whatever
your circumstances, who turn from the
pursuit of your own self-will and ask to enlist
under Christ, Who is Lord of all, by following
Him through taking to yourself that strong
and blessed armor of obedience which He
made His own on coming into our world.
RB Prologue

They should value nothing whatever
above Christ Himself and may He
bring us all together to eternal life.
RB 72

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