Mount Welcomes Five New Oblates

In a ceremony at vespers on April 5, the Mount welcomed five new oblates to share in the life of the community. Three women and two men declared their desire to “dedicate myself to the service of God and of God’s people according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.”

Among the new oblates are a husband and wife, Richard and Jane Brummel of Kansas City, Mo. Richard is a retired federal executive and Jane is a teacher. They describe themselves as destined for this way of life, with Richard being a relative of some Benedictine sisters and Jane’s parents devoted oblates of an Arkansas monastery. As Richard describes it, “By blood, temperament and act of God, the Mount seems destined to be my spiritual home.” Likewise, Jane agrees that it “seems to be the path set out for me from my birth.” The two attend monthly meetings of the Atchison oblate group and make frequent visits to the Mount.

Elizabeth Hesse of Wamego, Kansas, also has a lifelong relationship with Benedictines. Raised in a large family by a widowed mother in the rural Kansas community of Flush, she appreciated the support of the Mount’s sisters in her parish. She even considered becoming a Benedictine before going on to marriage, a family and a teaching career. More recently, she has been involved in parish and social service activities. One of her goals now is to “immerse myself in the study of the Rule and a life of prayer.” Elizabeth has attended meetings of the oblate group in Topeka for several years.

Another Topeka oblate, Tim Kelly, is a health caregiver who approaches his work as a true ministry to people in their most basic needs. He is strengthened in this challenging work by his devotion to prayer and spiritual development. “I believe the oblates help me in my spiritual journey, making me a more centered individual,” he explains.

The fifth new oblate is Evelyn Del Debbio, who has actually been a committed Benedictine oblate for many years. Since moving to Liberty, Mo., a few years ago from Chicago, she has become active in a Kansas City oblate group. This led to the decision to transfer her commitment from her previous monastery in the Chicago area to Mount St. Scholastica. Her lifelong support of the Benedictine way has recently taken a more personal turn as she is the mother of novice Margaret Del Debbio, OSB.

The new oblates signed their oblations and received a Benedictine medal, then enjoyed a reception with the sisters and the other oblates. Sister Anne Shepard, prioress, received their commitment. “This year,” she said, “we welcomed five women and men who sincerely desire to deepen their prayer lives and have committed themselves to share our Benedictine spirituality. The benefits of the professed oblation are mutual.” The five join the more than one hundred oblates of Mount St. Scholastica and extend the community’s ministry and spirit through many cities and workplaces.


New Oblates pronounce their oblation: (L to R) Richard Brummel, Jane
Brummel, Evelyn Del Debbio, Elizabeth Hesse, and Tim Kelly.


The new oblates receive a blessing from S. Anne, Prioress, and the
community.


The new oblates and the oblate directors pose for a picture on the front porch of the monastery.
Front row: Tim Kelly, Sister Sharon Murray, Jane Brummel
Second row: Sister Ann Diettrich, Sister Evelyn Gregory, Sister Therese Elias, Richard Brummel
Back row: Evelyn Del Debbio, Sister Anne Shepard, Sister Mary Elizabeth Schweiger, Elizabeth Hesse, Sister Judith Sutera