“Everything we think

everything we do,

everything we feel,

is cast in time forever.

Every moment that we live is irreplaceable,

therefore each moment is hallowed.”



These are the words of John McQuiston II in “Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living,” as he reflects on the first degree of humility. Sr. Joan Therese Anderson will be speaking on Humility at the Tucson’s October Oblate meeting, and she shares the following by way of introduction:



Humility is a fundamental attitude determining our relationship to God. It is the queen of virtues essential for growth, relationship to God, self and others. It is an exploration into reality – the reality of who I am before God.



The word, humility, is derived from “humus” – earth, being earthed, centered, with my feet on the ground. It not lack of self-esteem or practice of humiliations, but rather:

· a profound exploration into self-knowledge, not narcissistic but leading to my true self and to God;

· a rebirth into integrity, into who God made me to be;

· an interior journey, a process that will never end;

· the heart of the spirituality of the Rule of Benedict;

· the acceptance with utmost conviction of the limitations of our humanity – only God is God.



The word “humor” also comes from humus, and is the ability to laugh at oneself, not to take oneself so seriously.

We go up and down the 12 steps of humility in the Rule, as we go about the business of personal conversion humanly, in the body and in daily living. Humility comes when, holding our treasure in earthen vessels, we experience life overwhelming us, and we call to God for help. Once we know who we are, we are at peace with the world and can let someone know us.


Humility is a true measure of one’s own worth as a redeemed child of God. It is self-knowledge and self-honesty. It is a discovery of our own humanness, of who God is, and who we are. This discovery leads to right relationships with God, others, creation and ourselves.


The only promise St. Benedict made in his Rule is that if we live the degrees of humility, we will have union with God.

TUCSON: Next meeting – Sunday October 18, 2:00 p.m., doors open at 1:15 p.m.

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Candidates meet on stage at 1:30 p.m. Oblate dean Mila Aroskar will lead a discussion of WORK, page 23 in the folder. Candidates please let me know if you don’t have a folder.

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As mentioned above, Sr. Joan Therese speak at 2:00­ on The Ladder of Humility: Right Relations, Right Attitudes. In preparation, she suggests that we consider these questions:

What helps you to embrace the person you are before God?
What are your false expectations of self and others?
Do you experience difficulty sharing yourself with others

Book Reviews: Katharine Nutt and Bill Martin will give short book reviews at the October meeting, and we have one offer for November from Jane Wood. Anyone for a second book?

Special Event: Any Oblates who can attend, are encouraged to join the monastic community on Saturday, October 31 (Halloween), for two talks by Michael Casey, OCSO, Trappist author of “Sacred Reading” and other monastic books. He is stopping here for a workshop with the community, on his way back to Australia from Europe. The talks will be in the assembly room at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bring your own lunch, and we will provide beverages. No fee for this, but donations are welcome. If you plan to come, it would help if you let us know, so we plan seating, etc., accordingly. (email me or call 520-325-6401)