Teaching a love for God's word
Professor prepared students for the centrality of Scripture in Vatican II renewal
by Father John S. Rausch

Father Ray Orlett

Whenever a certain seminary professor grew flustered in a discussion sparked by an intricate, almost smart-alecky question in theology, he called on Ray Orlett for his opinion.

The slender Appalachian farm boy from Pond Creek, Ohio, would say, in his slow pensive manner, “Let’s start by defining our terms.” Within a few minutes, to the amazement of his classmates, his sharp insights would slice through the knot of controversy.

A member of the first class ordained at Glenmary’s Our Lady of the Fields chapel in 1953, Father Ray immediately left for Catholic University to study Scripture. A few years later he received a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Biblical Institute in Rome, where he established his credentials as a scholar and subsequently wrote the biblical article on Jesus Christ for the New Catholic Encyclopedia published in 1967.

Father Ray, who served as teacher of Scripture at Glenmary’s seminary, second vice president of Glenmary and mission pastor in Texas, Ohio and Mississippi, died May 22, 2009, at age 83. Reputed to have the keenest intellect in Glenmary, Father Ray inspired students and transformed structures, while bringing forth beauty with flowers and weaving during his 58 years under Oath.

He transformed Scripture from mere proof texts for doctrine to the dynamic narrative about the history of salvation. He demythologized the creation account in the first 11 chapters of Genesis and added vibrancy to the unique theological perspective of each Gospel.

Scripture Scholar: Father Ray was a professor of Scripture at Our Lady of the Fields Seminary.

“Without Father Ray I wouldn’t be a priest today,” reflects Father Bob Dalton echoing the sentiments of numerous Glenmarians. “He gave me a love for Scripture.”

In 1965 Father Ray was elected second vice president and was charged with research and recommendations to renew Glenmary’s educational program to reflect the post-Vatican II Church. The succeeding years, however, brought clouds of stress to Father Ray as he oversaw the close of the Glenmary seminary and its move, first to St. Meinrad Seminary, and then to St. Louis University Divinity School.

Dealing relentlessly with myriad details, he began experiencing migraine headaches. Through his suffering he discovered weaving as therapy and artistic expression.

His weavings, meticulously executed, were intended to add dignity and beauty to worship. When Father Tim Murphy was ordained, Father Ray gave him one of his handwoven stoles with the simple admonition: “Remember me at the altar.”

In 1971 Father Ray began his first pastorate assignment in Sulphur Springs and Commerce, Texas. Ever the teacher, he taught Scripture to the permanent deacon candidates of the Dallas diocese. Ever the gardener, Father Ray found relaxation by cultivating beauty with flower beds around the parish grounds.

This pattern of education, artistry and beauty is one he repeated in his other pastoral assignments and in his senior member years beginning in 1992. Regarded as a holy man, perhaps even a mystic, Father Ray awakened the beauty of God’s Word as his teaching flowed into the hearts of his students.

Father Bob Dalton summarized the gratitude and admiration of many: “He gave me the tools for being a lifelong student of Scripture, and that’s what a great educator is about.”

The story above first appeared in the Autumn 2009 Glenmary Challenge.
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