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Vocation Information |
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Reflections on the Glenmary Oath Focus: Commitment to Prayer I have woven together words on this topic from our Oath (in red) with quotes from individual Glenmarians (bulleted) and some commentary to tie it all together. The entire text of the Glenmary Oath is in the sidebar to the right. —Father Steve Pawelk, Vocation Director I am aware that the Glenmary way of life commits me to a special practice of poverty, chastity, obedience and prayer. All religious communities and societies take vows, promises or an oath of some sort in which poverty, chastity and obedience are pledged. Our work in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, establishing new Catholic communities and striving for greater justice is slow and tedious. Therefore, our founder, Father William Howard Bishop, committed us through our oath to a special practice of prayer. • "Prayer is easy, difficult, sad, joyful, routine, new – the list goes on and on. If I do not pray, I do not live.” (Brother Joe Steen) • “The two foundation stones for success in ministry and perseverance are devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary.” (Father Rollie Hautz) • “Through prayer I have this great opportunity to communicate with the very God of the universe. I can listen to him speak to me. I can also speak back to him, in my own name and, at liturgy, in the name of the whole church.” (Father Bob Poandl) • "Prayer is the lifeblood of my spiritual life. If I do not keep my prayer life hot and flowing, I will die. Each day I pray for an hour and receive the Eucharist.” (Brother Bob Hoffman) Others have found the special call to prayer helpful in finding balance and focus in their work. • “Prayer is often a struggle. There is so much ‘to do.’ I sometimes fall into the trap of over-activity. I am a much better priest when I am in prayer. It enables me to retain the proper perspective.” (Father Chet Artysiewicz) • “The Oath of prayer helps me keep in focus that my work is primarily God’s work and to remember my goal is not success, but faithfulness until called home to heaven.” (Father Gerry Peterson) Share your reflection by e-mailing comments to Father Steve Pawelk at spawelk@glenmary.org. He will periodically add readers' reflections to this file--anonymously, of course, unless you give permission for your name to be used. To select additional Oath reflections
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The Glenmary Oath “Of my own free choice, I_______, a member of the Glenmary Home Missioners, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, do solemnly promise and swear before God to dedicate myself for my whole life to the missionary apostolate in the rural areas and small towns of the United Sates and to the Glenmary way of life according to the Glenmary Constitution and Directory. I am aware that the Glenmary way of life commits me to a special practice of poverty, chastity, obedience, and prayer. Thus bound in a covenant with the other members in the Glenmary community, I ask for their support and loyalty and pledge to them my own." |
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