Why is a Rule of Life important?

Some have asked me as a oblate of Saint Benedict why I find it necessary to keep a form of his Rule.  The Rule of Saint Benedict is a book of normative actions based in the Christian ideal written by St. Benedict of Nursia for professed Religious (that is Monks) living in a cloister or community under the authority of an abbot or prior. Since the 7th century this Rule has been adopted by and used in cloisters or communities of women living as professed Religious. During the 1500 years of since St. Benedict submitted the Rule as a method of living more fully into the Christian life, it has become the leading guide in Western Christianity for professed Religious who live in community.

The heart and sould of St. Benedict's rule isn't something only to be lived by professed Religious, but rather the life of study, prayer and work can become the normative actions of all Christians.  As an oblate of Saint Benedict, I would argue that it should be just that -- a Christian expression whereby we center ourselves on prayer and work while seeking peace among each other and with others whether Christian or not -- and therefore our practices of prayer become the center of our daily life and our professions or vocations become an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ.

This is particularly poignant to me as an Anglo Catholic insofar as the Rule provides a middle way between individual faith and cultic institutionalism.  It expresses the same middle way -- or Via Media -- that is present in the Anglo Catholic tradition as expressed by Elizabeth I of England.  Living the oblate life according to the Rule provides structure and order to an individual's expression of faith, and more importantly establishes in a regular, structured manner the important place of prayer as the center of our lives.  Prayer is so very important because in prayer we encounter our Triune God.  In this, we find ourselves lifted from this world into a deeper place surrounded by the love of Christ Jesus.  The community of oblates is like that of the cloister for the professed Religious; that is, a community of faith centered on study, prayer and service.

For many Christians, understanding how to live their faith on a daily basis is elusive.  Adopting a form of Rule may well help them establish a greater sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and offer opportunity to intimately encounter our Triune God.

Is Dominican spirituality for me?

I have been corresponding with an Anglican Dominican Friar regarding what I believe to be a call to Christian vocation centered on teaching and contemplation expressed by Dominican spirituality.  This expression of a deeper spirituality appeals to me as an Episcopalian in the high church tradition of the Oxford movement; that is, as an Anglo-Catholic in the universal church.

Based upon my conversation with him and what I have read online and in the book entitled Anglican Dominicans: An introduction for seekers and the curious, I believe that entering into formal discernment with the Anglican Order of Preachers is appropriate.  This decision has not been made without prayer, discussions with others and personal reflection regarding how I maybest offer myself in the Holy Spirit in service to the church universal.  He and I have discussed my spiritual path and my sense of call, and as I have learned more about the Anglican Order of Preachers come to realize that this Religious community would edify me in my continuing journey of faith and bring an ordered focus upon living a consecrated life of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My journey in faith has been varied and enriching, and I have offered myself in service to my parish whenever called or wherever needed. I first became interested in adult faith formation as an instructor and coordinator when there was a need for a young adults outreach and ministry at my parish.  To prepare more fully for that ministry, I completed a two-year educational program through the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta entitled “Foundations for Christian Educators” graduating as one of eleven in the inaugural glass.  My experience in the community of like-minded Christians committed tosharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ made clear that my intellect and my spirit flourished when teaching.  It was also a wonderful opportunity to experience the accepting love – Christian agape – among those with whom I spent those two years learning and teaching.  It was an amazing journey of learning and sharing in a diverse group of people each feeling a call to teach the Word and sacraments.  To see the power of the Holy Spirit at work in so many enlivened my own sense of Christian spiritualy.  

My Bishop and I spoke of my desire for a deeper expression of my Christian faith.  He recommended that I begin discussing my sense of call with my rector and with a spiritual director.  He and a classmate also recommended that I experience the Episcopal Cursillo weekend. I participated in the weekend with an open heart and a discerning mind.  The Cursillo experience placed me in a Christian community where the center of every moment was in the Holy Spirit.  The emotions of the weekend overwhelmed me, and when I departed for home in the 4th Day I truly felt changed and knew without question that the Holy Spirit is present in my life.  

I participated in Cursillo group reunion and began to discuss my interest in exploring more fully two questions that occupied my mind.  How I can live more completely the Christian life in faith while also inspiring others in their own journeys of faith.  Where may I find a community of like-minded Christians with whom I can pray, study and seek answers to the deeper questions the Holy Spirit brings me.  

This brought me to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia.  This is a Benedictine cloistered community where I am among the first group of ecumenical oblates to become lay associates of the monastery.  After two years of study, prayer and service I made my first annual simple promises to keep a personal rule and meet regularly in community for study, prayer and companionship.  While this practice of Benedictine spirituality has been helpful in so many ways, I continued to consider what I sensed as a call to a more authentic and expressive Christian life. 

To continue my study of Christian theology and my own faith formation, I enrolled in the Education for Ministry program through the Theology School at The University of the South.  This program of Christian education is amazingly well done, and for me has been a fantastic experience within another small Christian community.

I have considered whether to explore a Christian vocation either in ordained ministry or as a religious. My ministries in my parish are varied, but center on the Eucharistic liturgy, daily offices as expressed in the Benedictine Breviary and assisting with faith formation for young adults.  I have come to understand that the vocation of a cloistered religious would limit very much my ability to serve in those areas.  

I am also deeply committed to my present Christian community of Emmanuel Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta.  I am the verger of my parish and also a LEM, Lector and adult acolyte.  

While I continue to discuss the possibility of discernment to the priesthood with both Bishop Whitmore and my rector, I’m uncertain.  My spiritual advisor suggested that my call may be in non-traditional religious communities that engage actively in servant ministry, teaching and Christian formation.  This has brought me to the Anglican Order of Preachers, and a strong belief that this expression of Christian vocation is what I have been called to undertake in service to God and the church universal.