February 24, 2023
As we approach the end of the shortest month, we may wonder if it is the longest. Many of us, while not following in the footsteps of Ann Sieben, may be on our own briefer pilgrimages. The Spring Break looms large for the monastery school, as for many students and their families. Journeys domestic and international open up. The witness of Ann Sieben may remain with us, and perhaps serve to provide a vital spiritual message as we continue along the way of our many travels. In a 2016 article by Philippe Vallincourt from the Catholic News Service, she speaks of her vocation and her travel: “Then I understand there are no dark days, because I do what Jesus says. Love God above all, in your heart and soul, your mind and body. I do this every minute of every day. And love your neighbor as yourself. I do this every day. And every day, I ask and I receive, I seek and I find, I knock and the door – maybe not the first door – the door will open. This is my life every day. There can be no dark moment.” And as we move into the pilgrimage that is Lent, maybe this encouraging inspiration can illuminate some of our own darker days.
Pax,
Blake Billings
February 17, 2023
The arrival of Lent always elicits a familiar feeling of ambivalence in me. It points to the need for repentance, which opens a sense of sinfulness, limitation, weakness: here I am again and again, seeking and needing forgiveness. Yet in the same moment it offers possibilities: hope, improvement, discipline, renewed commitment, second chances – an infinite number of “second” chances. At least seventy times seven, anyways, and that is a lot. For monks, I get the sense this season is “in their wheelhouse.” Benedict speaks of the Lenten character of monastic life. Ash Wednesday, it would then seem, has a Benedictine character. Repent and believe in the good news. Remember, dust you are. Perhaps these encapsulate much of the essence of Rule and the discipline of monasticism. In that familiar ambivalence, there is an enthusiasm here, the kind of enthusiasm one may feel at the commencement of a trip – a pilgrimage. Lent, the “stay-cation” of pilgrimages; a journey into one’s own desert, one’s own cloister. What could one find elsewhere that one cannot already find within those walls? Lent offers another chance to discover that.
Pax,
Blake Billings
February 10, 2023
While we may overlook their importance, the power of our midwinter celebrations is not to be underestimated. The fortieth day after the Nativity of the Lord brings us to His Presentation in the Temple, Candlemas. The Mass readings continue to feed us a steady fare of strong spiritual sustenance, as we see in Abbot Michael’s reflections on the Beatitudes. The oblates’ call to a Day of Recollection, one centered on the cross of Christ, reminds us that all times are God’s, and all offer opportunity to grow in grace. The School recently enjoyed its “Winter Weekend,” leaving the monastery and grounds a somewhat quieter and reflective place. This, as the daylight slowly pushes back to later times, Vespers now commencing at the time of brilliant winter sunsets. And in two weeks, we see the arrival of Lent – its etymology is from the "lengthening” of days, and the arrival of the season of Spring. May these thoughts bring you February Fortitude!
Pax,
Blake Billings
February 1, 2023
This week’s issue of The Current seems to remind us of the importance of pastoral work. We report on the welcoming to the Diocese of Providence of a new pastor on Bishop William Henning. We hear of the pastoral guidance woven into the missionary work of the Manquehue Movement. And in our monthly discussion of the impact of art, we read a reflection itself inspired in the pastoral preparation of a Day of Recollection. These events and ideas become woven “in the Spirit’s tether,” to quote the hymn by Harold Friedell (1905-1958). This tether, as also is indicated in our three articles here “met together,” extends from the monastery out, to our oblates, to the diocese, and on to the southern hemisphere. It is to such wide-ranging geographic points that this weekly issue is mailed – with gratitude to our readers for their ongoing support and encouragement. May its pastoral message, through God’s grace, form a piece of that same, every-widening tether. Perhaps we can see that tether visually represented in Lippold’s “Trinity,” whose centerpiece is the Burch rendition of the Crucified Christ described by Brother Sixtus this week. May that same Christ still center us in that same tether.
Pax,
Blake Billings
Blake Billings '77, Ph.D. is a graduate and current faculty member of Portsmouth Abbey School. He received his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, then joining the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to assist in an inner-city parish in Oakland, California. From Oakland, he went to Leuven, Belgium, receiving degrees in theology and philosophy. He returned to the Abbey in 1987, teaching for three years before getting married and returning to Leuven to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy, which he was awarded in 1995. Having taught in higher education at various schools, including St. John's University, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University, he decided his calling was at the secondary level, gratefully returning to Portsmouth in 1996, where he has resided ever since. He became an oblate of the Portsmouth community ten years ago. His four children were all raised on campus and graduated from the school, the youngest in 2020.