Help Melissa Become a Benedictine Oblate Novice
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I've been discerning becoming a (secular/lay) Benedictine oblate for what seems to be years. It all began with a deep longing to become a member of a third order after discerning that the religious life wasn't for me (crushing the dream of religious life my 6-year-old self had). This journey began over 4-5 years ago and it finally led to me feeling at home with the Benedictine spirituality.
Last year, after I finished school, I began to make inquiries to Benedictine monasteries with distance oblates since the hometown monastery wasn't the right fit for me. After over a year of waiting and exchanging messages (and two back-to-back novenas to St. Frances of Rome and St. Benedict this past March), I received word that I could begin my oblate novitiate with the Monks of Norcia this upcoming summer.
There was only one hiccup: finances. While I had been saving up for this possible trip (when I still didn't know if I would be accepted), it still isn't enough to make the trip possible. I feel strongly called (and at peace) to begin my novitiate and I need your help making this trip possible.
If I could simply work and save up to make this dream come true, I would. In fact, I exhausted this option before creating this page. Due to health issues (chronic fatigue stemming from a recently diagnosed severe vitamin D deficiency and chronic thrombocytopenia), I'm unable to work outside of the home. As a freelance writer (the only work I can do with my current limitations), there are periods of time when work is hard to come by as has been the case in recent months. All but less than 10% of my monthly income goes towards helping my widowed mother keep our humble household afloat and what I do keep goes straight to paying back my student loans.
The little bit in savings I do have covers only half of my round-trip flight to begin my oblate novitiate. I need the additional funds to help cover the rest of the airfare as well as the additional retreat fee. I have until June 7th to come up with the funds.
If you feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit to contribute, I would be eternally grateful. Any little bit helps! If it's God's will that I move forward with this, I know it'll happen but I do need help. What I have asked for is just an estimate of roundtrip airfare and retreat fees, searched two months in advance. If there is any money left over from the campaign, I will be saving that towards my trip to make my final Act of Oblation next year.
If you can't contribute financially but can offer up a prayer and/or recommend me for more freelance writing work, I would be so grateful. I will take the prayer intentions of everyone who donates and/or shares this link to the retreat with me.
Thank you for your time and charity. God reward you!
Last year, after I finished school, I began to make inquiries to Benedictine monasteries with distance oblates since the hometown monastery wasn't the right fit for me. After over a year of waiting and exchanging messages (and two back-to-back novenas to St. Frances of Rome and St. Benedict this past March), I received word that I could begin my oblate novitiate with the Monks of Norcia this upcoming summer.
There was only one hiccup: finances. While I had been saving up for this possible trip (when I still didn't know if I would be accepted), it still isn't enough to make the trip possible. I feel strongly called (and at peace) to begin my novitiate and I need your help making this trip possible.
If I could simply work and save up to make this dream come true, I would. In fact, I exhausted this option before creating this page. Due to health issues (chronic fatigue stemming from a recently diagnosed severe vitamin D deficiency and chronic thrombocytopenia), I'm unable to work outside of the home. As a freelance writer (the only work I can do with my current limitations), there are periods of time when work is hard to come by as has been the case in recent months. All but less than 10% of my monthly income goes towards helping my widowed mother keep our humble household afloat and what I do keep goes straight to paying back my student loans.
The little bit in savings I do have covers only half of my round-trip flight to begin my oblate novitiate. I need the additional funds to help cover the rest of the airfare as well as the additional retreat fee. I have until June 7th to come up with the funds.
If you feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit to contribute, I would be eternally grateful. Any little bit helps! If it's God's will that I move forward with this, I know it'll happen but I do need help. What I have asked for is just an estimate of roundtrip airfare and retreat fees, searched two months in advance. If there is any money left over from the campaign, I will be saving that towards my trip to make my final Act of Oblation next year.
If you can't contribute financially but can offer up a prayer and/or recommend me for more freelance writing work, I would be so grateful. I will take the prayer intentions of everyone who donates and/or shares this link to the retreat with me.
Thank you for your time and charity. God reward you!
Organizer
Melissa Guerrero
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
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