Obsculta Listen with the ears of your heart

Obsculta Listen with the ears of your heart July 2014 Indeed, our affiliation with the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross has brought tremendous spiritual blessings to us and our dear ones. The Cistercian habit h The Cistercian habit has become an effective and visible sign of the healing and reconciling presence of our Lord, Jesus. The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross serves God in a variety of ministries throughout the world. Our union with each other, developed through common prayer also unites us to Jesus Christ, whom we ultimately serve with joy. The quarterly newsletter of The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross, Common Observance Worldwide Membership of Monks Living Inside and Outside of a Monastery Founded 1981 1606 Briar Lake Circle Winston-Salem, NC 27103 336 918-0975 Abbot@bellsouth.net Skype address: abbotoscarjoseph www.cistercianmonks.org www.stephenhardingseminary.org http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holycrosscistercians

News From The Abbot General Oscar Joseph, OCCO Of Special Interest In This Obsculta New Website: CistercianMonks.org New Facebook: facebook.com/cistercianmonks New Design for Obsculta New Member New Trustee New income promotion New info on Ordinations Interesting articles and news New way to give your tithes This has certainly been a busy few months for the Cistercian Order. Imagine a new website, new Obsculta, a new Oblate, a new Trustee, new liturgies, and new videos. I hope that each of our monks and friends will benefit from our improvements. While our old website had been consistently updated and improved the format was over 10 years old and not suitable for viewing on mobile devices. So we have improved that and added many new features and simplified others. The Obsculta was also getting tired and too cluttered so we simplified it and added some new features.. Congratulations to our Vicar General Br. Brendan, OCCO for being voted into our corporations Board of Trustees. We also want to thank Dr. Kathleen for all of her years of service on the Board and hope that she enjoys her retirement. And welcome to Fr. Mervin Camacho, OCCO/Obl our new Oblate. I also want to thank those who have made a special donation towards the development of our new website. Doing this has cost a lot of money. At the top of the front page of the website you will find a donation link that will make sending your tithes and donations a lot easier. You may also use that link to purchase your Popcorn LaLa popcorn flavorings. See page 11 for further for more info. Also a big thank you to all those who have helped in big and small ways.

PUBLIC PAGE MEMBER LOGIN PAGE There are a number of exciting features including: An description of our history and charism A note of encouragement from the Abbot General A description of Benedictine Spirituality A description with videos of our Rule and vows A brief description of Oblates Educational opportunities and videos An introduction to our leadership An introduction to our members and friends Posting of recent Obscultas A declaration of our position within the Church Contact information Application There are a number of exciting features including: A history of monastic life Entire History of the Cistercian Order Our Apostolic Succession Our Governing Documents Materials to aid in Cistercian Formation Various liturgies for Sacraments and Prayers Various forms and promotional materials Our position on church vs cultural issues Complete program for Lay chapters Password will be given to members in a separate e-mail Special thanks to webmaster Leslie Berry of Key Lime Designs

What is an Oblate? I am Fr. Mervin Camacho, OCCO/Obl. At present I am a Board Secretary in one of the State Colleges in the Philippines. I have my Baccalaureate degrees in Education, teaching English at Philippine Normal University, and in Philosophy and Theology at Maryhill School of Theology. Also by God s grace I finished my Master in Divinity in Christian Education at Asian Theological Seminary and completed the course works in Doctor of Education at Asia Graduate School of Theology. Everything has to be given to God because without Him I would not have all of them. PRAISE GOD and To God be the Glory! Oblates are Christian men or women, over 16 years of age, who celebrate the Protestant, Catholic or other Orthodox Christian traditions and wish to develop a deeper personal and communal experience of the Risen Christ and share in the important work of the Order. Oblates are welcome to participate in Chapter meetings, community life, retreats, seminars and the like. They may have a voice in Cistercian activities but no vote. They do not wear a habit, but may wear the Cross of St. Benedict. Oblates strive for faith, hope and charity. They also strive for poverty, meaning generosity, chastity according to their state of life, obedience to Our Lord and to His ministers in the Church, obedience to civil law, and stability. Oblates will be considered as Third Order members. The Cistercian charism is a refuge for ardent lovers of God. The adherence to the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and focus on contemplating God in prayer is a precious balm on hearts aching for closer union with the Lord. The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross is an opportunity for men or women to become a true monk, nun or oblate in this revered tradition.

Prison Ministry Maximum Security Prison Muntinlupa City, Philippines Mervin, OCCO/Obl: "Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them." (Heb. 13:3) I did not pray for a prison ministry because I believe that the people I will be with are offenders and that they are likely to recidivate. I also realized that this ministry is tedious and it requires a deep understanding about justice; justice that is restorative rather than retributive. Most of all I must act as the vehicle of ultimate restoration of their right relationships with God and humankind, until they see peace (shalom) and be restored in the community. In other words prison ministry is both pastoral and prophetic, seeking both to heal those who have been wounded and to transform those structures which inflict those wounds (Isaiah 61). This is not easy! I need His grace and His power. But why did He choose me to be in the ministry? Who am I to cause change? What is His mandate? God is among the poor, the outcasts, the imprisoned, the victimized working for justice, healing, and reconciliation I have seen the affliction of my people; I have heard their cries under their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings and I have come to deliver them (Exodus 3:7ff). Unlike Moses, I did not see any tangible sign or signs that He (YAHWEH) is calling me; there wasn t a burning bush, a rod that became a snake and ate the snakes of the Pharaoh s magicians, no water that turned into blood not even one. I did not even see or dream myself standing in front of the inmates. Not at all! But why am I here? In fact I avoided prison ministry. My skin shivers when I see inmates and my heart pumps very fast when I am inside the jail. Again, why am I here?. I remembered one time that I asked God to give me a chance to work in a foreign land as missionary. I prayed to Him not just once but many times. But He never answered. His answer was, among millions of active believers world-wide, only a small number are involved in ministry to prisoners, despite the fact that jails and prisons are found in almost every community. Those words struck me. So when my friend and Bishop invited to go to National Bilibid Prison I did not hesitate. I immediately answered yes I will go; I cried and said I will follow you Lord whatever you ask me to do and wherever you want me to go. God is not willing that any should perish--not even serial killers, rapists, and molesters. God loves even the worst of sinners. (2 Peter 3:9; 1Timothy 1:15)

REFLECTION Our Abbot says: For the longest time I have been soap boxing against the custom of Let me tell you about my salvation story by tell you about my sinful past. NO NO NO. That is a way that the evil one keeps us reliving our past and preventing us from moving forward. Your sins do not encourage others to move away from their sins. Rather it simply validates their sinfulness. Rather tell them what they can have in Christ and the will seek after Him. When a man once truly repents, he need not think any more about the sins he committed so that he will not sin again. St. Anthony counsels: "Be careful that your mind not be defiled with the remembrance of former sins and that the remembrance of those sins not be renewed in you." Again, in another place, St. Anthony says: "Do not establish your previously committed sins in your soul by thinking about them so that they not be repeated in you. Be assured that they are forgiven you from the time that you gave yourself to God and repentance. In that, do not doubt." It is said of St. Ammon that he attained such perfection that from much goodness he was not aware that evil exists anymore. When they asked him what is that "narrow and difficult [sorrowful] path" (St. Matthew 7:14), he replied: "That it is the restraining of one's thoughts and severing of one's desires in order to fulfill the will of God." Whoever restrains sinful thoughts, does not think of his own sins or the sins of others neither of anything corruptible nor of anything earthly. The mind of such a man is continually in heaven where there is no evil. Thus, in him, sin gradually ceases to be, even in his thoughts. Prologue of Ochrid

The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross, Common Observance is an independent dispersed contemplative Religious Order that consists of laymen and women, single or married and male Diocesan clergy, from Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Old Catholic traditions who live in the world as well as in monasteries or hermitages. Our Cistercian roots date back to the eleventh century. We live the Cistercian charism in our love of solitude, contemplation, work, and study as well as living under the Rule of St. Benedict, our Constitution and vows of Conversatio, Stability, and Obedience. Our purpose is to: a) seek perfection. b) praise and worship God Our work is to: a) produce educational materials. b) host retreats. c) found autonomous religious communities. d) prayerfully intercede for those in need and for peace in the world. e) perform works of charity, pastoral ministry and mission work The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross is 33 years old. We are one of the oldest Religious Orders or our kind. Our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds including educators, medical and mental health professionals, law enforcement, engineers, retired and disabled individuals, homemakers, and even a peanut salesman. Our monks and oblates give sacrificially to their communities. Additionally the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross operates The St. Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary and Saint Seraphim School of Orthodox Theology. They currently have 5 Certified Degree Granting Academic Institutes and provides education for a worldwide student body and several Diocesan jurisdictions. Martyrs and monks have always been the spiritual fiber holding together the Church Catholic. Br. Columcille, OCCO writes, I believe Cistercians, and all contemplatives to be the heart of the Church. Our intentions, made perfect through the Holy Spirit, support all of the apostolic work around the world. Perhaps the stars would fall from the sky were it not for men and women dedicated to a life of prayer and sacrifice. We are a part of something holy, and are being made holy in the process. We, the Cistercians of the Holy Cross, are embedded icons, living sacramentals; who sustain, grace, and hold together the fiber of our communities.

Deacon Monks can Develop local faith communities Do religious services Preach Baptize Marry Bury Priest Monks can also Celebrate the Holy Eucharist Hear confessions Give The Sacrament of the Sick The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross is happy to receive male applicants for Holy Orders, e.g., Priest, Deacon. We would also consider incardination for other rightfully ordained clerics. While there are traditional qualifications for ordination/incardination, the principal interest is discerning a true vocation and developing Priests or Deacons who are fruitful ministers. Therefore, educational requirements may be individually tailored. We celebrate valid apostolic lines of succession, the seven sacraments and liturgical worship consistent with the historical churches. While some practices may differ, e.g., married clergy, we adhere to the dogmas constituted by true apostolic teaching. If you are interested in ordination or incardination, complete the application found on our website and forward it to the Abbot General. His office will then contact you.

Daily Prayer for the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross. C. Let us pray C. Our help is in the name of the Lord, R. Who made heaven and earth. C. Holy Lord, Holy Mighty One, R. Incline your ear towards us. Please pray this prayer every day. C. St. Benedict, Father of our Order R. Pray for us. C. Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven R. Pray for us. C. All the Angels and Saints R. Pray for us. All. O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we give you praise and thanks. May we respond to Your call in charity and courage and grow in numbers and holiness. Bless our Abbot General Oscar Joseph with good health, growth in wisdom and grace. Help him to see the world as you do. May our Beloved Order be blessed with leaders, both monks and clerics, who will carry forward our charism. May our Beloved Order be blessed with the material and financial resources necessary to fulfill its mission. We ask you, Lord, to bless us with a residential monastery in Winston-Salem where we can live as brothers and host others in a spirit of hospitality as taught by our Father, Benedict. Holy Father Benedict help us to bring a contemplative balance to everyday matters, to cultivate the daily disciplines of work and prayer, to persevere in our vows of obedience, stability and daily conversion. We pray for all those who have requested our prayers particularly members of our Order and those who are in union with us. We pray also for those who may have given up hope or have forgotten to pray for themselves. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Abbot General s Video Library Great videos for all occasions and needs. Good for personal study and group discussions. Can be used to introduce others to the Cistercian charism. Check them out. There are several new videos available. Check them out. I have really enjoyed ALL of these videos and I think that this technology is blessed by your and by our intent. I think it's really difficult for many of us to "feel" like we are a community, what with distances, languages, etc. Your videos have helped me in that regard. I think of them as chapter talks and pray for my brothers and superiors in relation to what you have said. I am honored to be part of such important work. Br. Columcille, OCCO The Abbot is really funny in some of these videos. Can you believe it? www.vimeo.com/cistercian Two NEW teachings on SEX Technology gives our worldwide community one more way of coming closer together. I have produced a number of videos to provide personal messages and teaching opportunities for our members. I hope that they will be both enjoyable and inspiring. St. Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary welcomes students to a wide variety of degrees, programs, licensing, and continuing educational opportunities. Check it out www.stephenhardingseminary.org for more information and application.

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We serve men and women, clerical or lay, married or single by: *Helping them grow in perfection through the use of the Rule of St. Benedict, our Constitution and Manual, and community life. *Consecrating to a first or second order religious life those who want to live either in community or outside community. *Third order oblate program. *Validating and assisting those already living the religious life but not living in a formal community. *Supporting men with a call to the deaconate and priesthood through ordination, incardination. The Cistercian charism is a refuge for ardent lovers of God. The adherence to the Holy Rule of St. Benedict and focus on contemplating God in prayer is a precious balm on hearts aching for closer union with the Lord. The Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross is an opportunity for men or women to become a true monk or nun in this revered tradition. For more information contact Abbot@bellsouth.net