I recently shared my story of a spiritual bouquet with the Sisters at the Visitation Monastery of Toledo and asked them, “What smell reminds you of God?” Find out what the Sisters said and how can smells remind us to rejoice in God's love? ...Read More

We have a practice given to us by St. Francis de Sales where we gather a “spiritual bouquet” at the end of our morning prayer. These spiritual bouquets are the consolations, sweet thoughts, or insights we experience during our morning prayer...Read More

It is difficult for me to ask for prayers. This year during an event with fathers of students at St. Francis de Sales School, I shared the story of the Oblates and added a request to pray over a profession box for the next Oblate. Why is this box so important to Oblates and how can your prayers make a difference? …Read More

We are told in Scripture that we need to be vigilant, awake, and alert. Yet, sometimes this alertness changes to worry and anxiety or fear and anger. What do we do when this happens? How can St. Francis' writing help us when we hit that tipping point... Read More

My students in our Salesian Leadership class are preparing presentations drawing upon Fr. Thomas Dailey's, OSFS, book, Live Today Well.  How can Salesian Spirituality help to unite oneself with God throughout the day?  When does this strategy start?

During my novitiate with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, I discovered the God of our hearts who is present and constantly at work. Although I like this image of the cardiologist God, I have to admit, I am partial to the image of the dentist God. Why, you may ask...

Hearing stories about physical feats is a common experience at boys' high schools. But, stories about courage that require only mental strength do not flow so easily - whether asking the girl to homecoming or even scarier feats...

Over this week I met with the Oblates who are directly involved in our vocation and formation programs. Everyone has their own unique stories and experiences of their vocation journey. As I prepare to celebrate 15 years as an Oblate, here is mine…

Like many of you, I am fortunate to have an incredible travel experience this summer that I will not soon forget. I have spent the past weeks in Annecy, France with brother Oblates from around the world. There are many stories and insights to share, but I want to focus on the lessons I learned from the gathering table...

For a long time, I believed that my older brother and I were nothing alike, aside from both being Oblate priests. However, in his major works, St. Francis de Sales makes the point that we become like what we love. How is this reflected in our lives and how can this teaching help us be more like Jesus…

When I was a senior at DeSales University I joined the cycling team. I enjoyed the sport but quickly learned that even the best cyclists fail. How can the classic saying “get back up and try again” be applied to our spiritual lives?

Last week, almost 90 members of both provinces of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales came together for the first joint meeting between provinces since 2018. During our time together, we focused on spiritual renewal and examined Pope Francis’ writings on our patron saint...

Camp DeSales in Brooklyn, MI begins sessions with “messy games” to set a tone of humility and freedom for the retreat. What sacrament leaves us a little messy but very free? How can we continue to bring the gifts of that sacrament into our lives?

I often confuse our loving God with a dutiful one. With our spirituality emphasizing God’s presence in the here and now, I often feel I am not ready for Him. Have you felt this? What is God’s reply?…

As I prepare for Pentecost, I think of two Oblates who have impacted my life. and how the work of the Holy Spirit through them made many lives richer…

The priest always sits next to the grandma at wedding receptions. I love this for several reasons but most of all because I learn more about who God is when I’m seated next to a grandma…