Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Provincial of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province, officially received Bill into the novitiate.

This morning, over a dozen Oblates gathered at St. Pius X Church in Toledo, OH, to welcome Mr. Bill Grebe into the Oblate Novitiate. The novitiate is a year-long, retreat-like experience where men and women prepare to take their first vows as members of a religious community. This is a time of intense spiritual discernment and development. During this year, the novice deepens his relationship with God by withdrawing from school, employment, and his usual social life.

The Oblate Novitiate is now located on the grounds of St. Pius X Church near St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo, OH. Bill will live there with Oblate Fathers Tom Helfrich, Novice Director, and Pat Kifolo, Assistant Novice Director. They will accompany Bill in this year of preparation with the support of the entire Oblate Community in Toledo.

This novitiate year gives Bill the experience of living as a religious, embracing poverty, chastity, and obedience. During this time, he studies Salesian Spirituality, the Evangelical Counsels, history of religious life, Scripture, Canon Law, the Oblate Constitutions, and Oblate charism. It is a critical step in the formation process and creates the environment needed to help him discern whether or not God is calling him to vow his life as an Oblate.

Men drawn to the Oblates are joining a group who live together and work together to spread Francis’ joyful spirituality to all those they meet. This shared experience of living in community with others is part of what makes consecrated religious life as an Oblate unique.

Mr. Bill Grebe with Oblate Fathers Patrick Kifolo and Tom Helfrich.

Rev. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Provincial of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province, officially received Bill into the novitiate. Fr. Jack recalled his own entrance into the novitiate, sharing, “I was so excited to enter but never fully considered the impact this had on other Oblates. Be assured, Bill, that the entire Oblate community is rejoicing with you today!”

The Oblates invite you to pray for Bill and for all our men in formation. To learn more about the Oblates or to invite a man to consider the Oblates, please visit www.oblates.org/vocations.

Live Jesus!