History
Previous to any Gatherings
• 1927--STATUTES FOR OBLATES was approved by Congregation of Religious.
• Interest in the Oblate Apostolate in the United States stimulated by MANUAL FOR OBLATES OF ST. BENEDICT published by Liturgical Press, 1953. Fr. Abbot Alcuin Deutsch, O.S.B. of St. John’s Abbey served as its editor.
• Also, the DAILY COMPANION FOR SECULAR OBLATES OF ST. BENEDICT was published by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of Clyde, MO.
• This was translated into the Czech language by St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL.
In the beginning. . .
• Abbot Stephen Schappler, O.S.B. offered Conception Abbey as a meeting place for neighboring Oblate Directors.
• Meeting convened August 30, 1948 at Conception Abbey, Conception, MO In attendance were Oblate Directors from:
• Conception Abbey, Conception, MO
• St. John’s Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• St. Meinrad’s Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN
• St. Benedict’s Abbey, Atchison, KS
• St. Bernard’s Abbey, St. Bernard, AL
• New Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, AK
• Benet Lake Priory, Benet Lake, WI
The purpose of the meeting was to provide a forum for Oblate Directors to share their concerns; and to obtain information useful to Oblate activities in each of the abbeys represented.
The Directors elected a three-member committee (Fr. Walter Sullivan of St. Meinrad Archabbey , Fr.
William Maat of St. Benedict’s Abbey and Fr. Kevin McGonigle of Conception Abbey)
• to draw up recommendation of the meeting just concluded;
• to work together toward standardizing printed matter;
• to take the initiative in urging another meeting of a more general nature in the near future.
First National Conference of Oblate Directors
• August 23 - 25, 1949
• St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN
• 15 directors from United States and Canada
• Defined nature of the oblate vocation
Subsequent Meetings and Accomplishments
August 26 – 28, 1952 St. Meinrad’s Archabbey St. Meinrad, IN
• Theme: “The Oblate Movement and the Catholic Family”
• 15 Abbey’s represented
– 3 elected to prepare for next meeting
• Fr. William Maat of St. Benedict’s in Atchison
• Fr. Theophilus Gregori of St. Sylvester’s in Detroit
• Fr. Walter Sullivan of St. Meinrad
Minutes use title: American Benedictine Oblate Directors
August 28 - 29, 1956
• St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, KS
• Theme: Concerns of Oblate Directors, and “Spiritual Reading in the life of the Oblate” • 18 Abbey’s represented
• Elected to prepare for next meeting
Fr.Wulstan of Marmion Abbey, Chairperson Fr. Theophilus of St. Sylvester’s Monastery Fr. Hilary of St. John’s Abbey
Fr. Ian of St. Louis Priory
Fr. Arthur of St. Benedict’s Abbey
1961: Rescript from Sacred Congregation of Religious that communities of women could affiliate Oblates.
No Biennial Gatherings between 1956 and 1971 June 1971
• St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL
• Theme: “How Benedictine oblates might best be served in light of Vatican II”
June 14, 1972
• St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, NJ
• First time women attended meeting
• 8 Abbey’s represented by 9 men
• 5 convents represented by 6 women
• 2 student Oblates of St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, NH also attended
• Fr. Joachim Schweitzer and Fr. Roger Schoenbechler served as co-chairpersons
• Group approved “Guidelines for Oblates of St. Benedict” drafted by Fr. Joachim Schweitzer
1973: publication of “Guidelines for Oblates of St. Benedict” Liturgical Press
June 28 - July 1, 1976
• St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL
• 29 Directors attended – (17 men; 12 women)
• Fr. David Turner of St. Procopius served as Chairperson
• Minutes used title: Benedictine Oblate Directors Workshop
• Agenda included a panel of 3 Oblates
June 26 - 30, 1978
• St. Martin’s Abbey in Lacey, WA
• Term, “oblate” was reaffirmed
• 26 communities represented 11 communities of men, 15 communities of women from
16 states and 2 provinces of Canada
June 24 – 27, 1980
• St. Anselm’s Abbey in Manchester, NH
• 18 communities represented
– 10 of men
– 8 of women
• Fr. David Turner of St. Procopius Abbey re-elected for another 2-year term
• Minutes used title: Oblate Director’s Conference
1982
• St. Pius X Abbey in Pevely, MO
• First edition of MANUAL FOR DIRECTORS OF OBLATES
• Publication of “Oblates of St. Benedict: An Introduction” by Liturgical Press
August 6 – 9, 1984
• St. Benedict’s Convent, St. Joseph, MN
• 36 Directors and Associate Directors from 18 States and Canada
• Set membership fee at $20
• Sr. Mary Anthony Wagner conducted the business meeting for Fr. David Turner
• She was elected to serve as Coordinator for the next two years.
• Minutes used title: Association of Directors of Oblates
1985: Second edition of MANUAL FOR DIRECTORS OF OBLATES
August 4 – 7, 1986
• St. Procopius Abbey in Lisle, IL
• 33 Directors and 5 Oblates attended
• Set membership fee at $10
• Sr. Mary Anthony of St. Benedict’s Convent in St. Joseph, MN re-elected for a second two-year term as Coordinator
1986: publication of “Ceremonies for Oblates of St. Benedict” Liturgical Press
August 18 – 22, 1988
• Mt. Angel Abbey in Mt. Angel, OR
• 39 Directors attended
– 16 men
– 23 women
• Agenda included a panel of Oblates
• Fr. Bede Classick of St. Paul's Abbey, Newton, NJ. elected as Coordinator 1989: Third edition of MANUAL FOR DIRECTORS OF OBLATES
August 9 – 13, 1990
• St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, NJ
• Theme: “Monasticism and Oblate: Future Directions”
• 44 Directors attended
• Agenda included a panel of Directors and a panel of Oblates
• Membership fee set at $10 for 2 year period
• Fr. Bede Classick of St. Mary’s Abbey elected for second two-year term as Coordinator
• Minutes use title: North American Directors of Oblates of St. Benedict
July 30 – August 3, 1992
• Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS
• Theme: “Spirituality in the Rule of Benedict”
• 51 Directors attended
• Change to meeting in odd years to avoid conflict with ABA meetings
• Change term of Coordinator from 2 years to 4 years
• Fr. Bede Classick elected to serve next 3 years to get in sequence with meetings
1993: Fourth edition of MANUAL FOR DIRECTORS OF OBLATES
July 27 – 31, 1995
• Subiaco Abbey in Subiaco, AR
• 39 Directors attended
• Agenda included a panel of Directors and panel of Oblates; presentations on “Benedictine Charism and the Oblate” and “Group Lectio”
• Voted to invite two oblate representatives from each community to next meeting
• Voted to raise membership fee to $25 for 2 year period
• Br. Benet Tvedten of Blue Cloud Abbey in Marvin, SD elected as Coordinator
• Minutes use title: Oblate Director’s Association
1997: Publication of WORK OF GOD: Benedictine Prayer Edited by Judith Sutera, OSB Liturgical Press
July 26 – 31, 1997
• Held on site of St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, IN
• Co-hosted by St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand and Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN
• 118 participants, including Oblates, represented 42 communities
• Agenda included panel of Directors and panel of Oblates
• Several presentations were given by Oblates
• Unanimous vote to continue inclusion of oblate representatives in future meetings
• Minutes use title: North American Oblate Directors and Oblates
July 24 – 29, 1999
• Conception Abbey in Conception, MO
• Co-hosted by Conception Abbey and Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Clyde
• Sr. Jean Frances Dolan of Perpetual Adoration Sisters in Clyde, MO elected as Coordinator 2000:
· Logo developed for North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors
·
A HANDBOOK FOR DIRECTORS OF BENEDICTINE OBLATE
North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors Printed by Abbey Press, St. Meinrad
July 27 – August 1, 2001
• Co-hosted by St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, and St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, MN
• 140 Directors and Oblates attended
• Voted to keep membership fee the same
• Minutes use title: Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors
July 25 – 30, 2003
• Benedictine College in Atchison, KS
• Co-hosted by St. Benedict’s Abbey and Mt. St. Benedict Monastery in Atchison
• 64 Directors attended with Oblate representatives
• Theme: Forming the Monastic Heart
• Announcement of First World Congress of Oblates in Rome convened by Abbot Primate
• Voted to raise membership fee to $25 for 1 year period
• Sr. Jean Frances continued as Coordinator until proposed new Constitution and Bylaws were voted on in 2005 with election of new leadership
• Minutes use title: National Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors
2004: Online Chapter begun by Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, SD
July 29 – August 3, 2005
• Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD hosted by Sacred Heart Monastery
• Theme: Benedictine Oblation: A Way of Life
• 115 participants
• New Constitution and Bylaws passed
• Official title of organization: North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors
• Election of Officers for 4-year term
President: Sr. Antoinette Purcell of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, IN
Vice President: Br. John Peto of St. Benedict’s Abbey in Atchison, KS
Appointed Secretary: Sr. Bonita Gacnik of Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton 2005: First World Congress of Oblates held in Rome, September 19-25 2006 Introduced web site, www.naabod.org
Summer 2006: Began quarterly newsletter “The NAABOD Newsletter” named with winter 2006 edition
This brings us to 2007
July 28 – August 2, 2007
• Co-hosted by St. Martin’s Abbey and St. Placid Priory in Lacey, WA and Queen of Angels
Monastery in Mt. Angel, OR
• On the site of St. Martin University in Lacey
• Theme: “The Charism of Benedictine Leadership”
June 26 – July 1, 2009
• Hosted by St. Vincent's Archabbey, Latrobe, PA
• On the site of St. Vincent's College in Latrobe
• Theme: "60 Years and Growing: Formation for the Benedictine Way of Life"
July 1 -- July 6, 2011
• Hosted by St. Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN
• Theme: Embracing Creation with Reverence and Hospitality: Listening to Scripture and Rule Speak
• Business Meetings 1. Constitution and Bylaws Change; 2/3rds vote required to pass Article 4 Section 2c – Constitution change-- re: VP term 2. Bylaws Article IV, Section 1 – re: Nominations 3. New NAABOD Administrative Team: President: Bonita Gacnik, OSB Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD Vice President: Fr. Paschal Morlino, OSB St. Vincent Archabbey. Latrobe, PA
Executive Secretary/Treasurer: Pricilla Cohen, OSB Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL
July 12 – July 17, 2013
• Hosted by Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, ND
• On the site of the University of Mary, Bismarck
• Theme: “Living the Benedictine Charism Faithfully in the World”
July 10 – July 15, 2015
• Hosted by Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, AR
• On the site of Subiaco Academy, Subiaco, AR
• Theme: “Nurturing Benedictine Spirituality: From Theory to Practice”
• At the business meeting,
o The following amendment to the NAABOD Constitution was approved:
§ Amendment offered by Saint Meinrad Archabbey to Constitution of NAABOD: This amendment is to replace: ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES, Section 2. Biennial
Convention Program Planning Committee, Paragraph 3
§ “At each biennial convention every Oblate Director will be permitted to bring two oblate delegates. Exception to the number of oblates will be granted by the President. “
o Sr. Bonita Gacnik (Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD) was reelected to a second term as NAABOD President. The second term is a two-year term. Fr. Mark Stengel (Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, AR) was elected to serve a two-year term as NAABOD Vice- President. And, Sr. Priscilla Cohen (Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL) was appointed to continue to serve as NAABOD Secretary.
July 14 – 19, 2017
• Hosted by St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN
• On the site of St. Scholastica College, Duluth, MN
• Theme: “Benedictine Values & Practices: Tools for Living, Tools for Life”
• At the business meeting,
o Sr. Priscilla Cohen of Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL was elected president.
o Sr. Celine Schock of Immaculata Monastery, Norfolk, NE was elected vice-president.
o The terms of the new administration will begin January 1, 2018
July 5 – 10, 2019
• Hosted by St. Benedict Center, Schuyler, NE
• Theme: “Continuing the Sacred Tradition: Benedictine Spirituality Today and Tomorrow”