Posted on 09/18/2005 7:31:28 AM PDT by Teófilo
In anticipation of a ceremony set to take place this afternoon.
Folks, I want to share with you some joyful news: my wife and I were received today as full Oblates of St. Benedict in a simple ceremony held at St. Vincent's Archabbey in Latrobe, PA. After an invocation to the Holy Spirit, a "questioning and admonition," we promised to "dedicate ourselves to the service of God and neighbor according to the Rule of Saint Benedict." We then did recited our act of final oblation as follows:
Peace! 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 Vincent Archabbey and promise to dedicate myself to the service of God and neighbor according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, insofar as my state in life permits.We then went to the altar and signed and dated our full names on the Oblation certificate.
I assumed the name of "Teófilo," in honor of the person who St. Luke addressed his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, as well as another "Theophilus" who was a Bulgarian Benedictine, martyred during the iconoclastic controversies in the 8th century. A saint of the East as well as of the West, and a Benedictine to boot! My wife chose "Therese," in honor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Doctor of the Church, whose life my wife has assiduously studied.
Thus commences for us a new walk in faith and in the Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Deo Gratias.
- Read more about Benedictine Oblate ceremonies here, or find out more of what it means to be an Oblate of St. Benedict here.
Congratulations to you and the Mrs.!
St. Theophilus the Confessor of Bulgaria
Synaxarion:
Saint Theophilus the Confessor of Bulgaria came from the area surrounding Tiberiada. When he was thirteen, the saint secretly left his home to go off to the monastery on Mount Selenteia. There he matured spiritually under the guidance of the Elder, St. Stephen. After three years St. Theophilus was tonsured into monasticism. When the parents of the saint learned where their son was, they went to the monastery and asked the igumen to send Theophilus and several of the brethren to establish a new monastery closer to the their home. The igumen bade all the monks to fast and to pray, so that a sign might be received. On the third day a voice was heard in the church giving the blessing for Theophilus to start a new monastery, since he would become reknowned for his many spiritual exploits. During the period of the iconoclast controversy culminating in the reign of the iniquitous iconoclast emperor, Leo the Isaurian (717-741), St. Theophilus openly revolted against the iconoclast folly. In accord with the emperor's orders, the saint was subjected to beatings and led through the city tied up like a criminal. The emperor then gave Theophilus over into the charge of the official, Hypatius who tried repeatedly to compel the confessor to renounce holy icons. Theophilus remained steadfast. Instead, he succeeded in converting Hypatius. As proof of the validity of icons, Theophilus cited the brass serpent erected by Moses (Num 21:9), the corroboration of the Cherubim atop the Ark of the Covenant, and finally how the Savior Himself had given to Abgar, the Prince of Edessa, His Icon Not Made by Hands (August 16). Persuaded by this evidence, Hypatius gained the emperor's permission to set the saint free. The confessor returned to his monastery. He lived only a short time longer, and in the year 716 St. Theophilus fell asleep peacefully in the Lord.
Wonderful. God has truly blessed you two, deign to be worthy of it.
God Bless
Oops! Forgot to mention: Congratulations and God Bless you both.
Congratulations to you and your wife on this important step.
As a member of the Emperor Charles League of Prayer, whose US headquarters are at St Vincent's, I am particularly glad to see that you made your oblation there.
Keep up the good work (I think that's American for "persevere").
Congratulations and blessings to the both of you!
Wow! I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Latin sources are so sparse! And an icon, to boot! Praised be the Lord. Thank you, thank you.
-Theo
Thank you kindly for your best wishes! Please, keep us in your prayers; God's still has a lot of work to do in us, particularly in me--my wife is a saint already.
-Theo
Congratulations. God bless you and your wife.
Blessings to you and your wife.
congratulations
Such a lovely step to take together...God bless and keep you both always...
Well you are very welcome. Now go out and be brave like your patron saint!
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