Rosalie Riegle knew what it was like to have a busy career, a full family life, and a deep conection to social justice. She also knew she had an abiding interest in Benedictine spirituality.
Having spent much of her adult life dedicated to the Catholic Worker movement, Rosalie (pictured, middle) had studied Dorothy Day, the movement's founder who was also a Benedictine Oblate. "It seemed right to incorporate some of the stability and balance of Benedict into my life," said Rosalie.
After a candidacy year, Rosalie made her "oblation", or profession, to become a full Benedictine Oblate on Sunday, September 20th. In front of a large Sunday Mass gathering at St. Scholastica Chapel, she professed her commitment to living Benedictine spirituality.
"I've always been interested in Benedictine spirituality," reflected Rosalie. "Having quiet prayer time at the beginning of each day helps to unite the disparate parts of my still-busy life."
Prayer was something that drew Mary Rose Close, as well, to become a Benedictine Oblate on Sunday. "I've always admired the Benedictines, not only as teachers, but also as pray-ers," said Mary Rose (pictured, left). "In high school I was thinking of being a sister, but that was not my vocation. So I wanted to establish a connection with [the sisters] and to be praying with them."
Mary Rose says she looks forward to deepening her relationship with God and with the Benedictine community as part of her path of being an Oblate.
Welcome Rosalie and Mary Rose to the Benedictine Oblate community!
(The Sunday Mass community at St. Scholastica Chapel, pictured here, welcomes Rosalie and Mary Rose during the Oblation ceremony)