Professor of Spiritual Theology
Email: jlabelle@ost.edu
Phone: 210-341-1366 EXT 322
Education
B. S. (Computing Science) – Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 1979
M.A. (Theology) – Oblate College, Washington, DC., 1992
S.T.L. (Spiritual Theology) – Pontificio Istituto di Spiritualità, Rome, 1999
S.T.D. (Spiritual Theology) – Pontificio Istituto di Spiritualità, Rome, 2006
Experience
Fr. LaBelle’s experience includes ministry as Parochial Vicar and other parish ministry service in both English and Spanish; Missionary Oblate religious formation at the pre-novitiate and post-novitiate formation levels; spiritual direction.
Interests
Fr. LaBelle has written several articles on consecrated life and Missionary Oblate life. He also regularly teaches courses in Christian spirituality, the theology of ordained ministry, and Patristic-era Christian church history.
Books
2020. From Strength to Strength: Seven Timeless Virtues for Christian Discipleship. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.
2014. Truly Apostolic Men: Apostolic Life in the Early Ministry of Saint Eugene de Mazenod. Oblatio Studia/3. Rome: Services for Oblate Studies and Research. (A PDF version is available at: http://archive.omiworld.org/en/oblatio/studia/19/truly-apostolic-men/ )
Translations
Calvo, Antonio Jambrina. The Oblate Spanish Martyrs. Co-translated with David Ullrich, OMI. Oblate Heritage series, number 9. Rome: Oblate Postulator, 1999.
Articles
” ‘God Will Be Our Help’: Bishop Eugène de Mazenod and His Trust in Divine Providence.” Offerings: Journal of the Oblate School of Theology 9 (2016): 4-17.
“The Enduring Virtue of Humility in Apostolic Life.” Offerings 7 (2013): 24–37.
“Formation beyond Functionalism in Apostolic Religious Life.” Spiritual Life (2012): 238–249.
“To be a Missionary Oblate Priest Today: A New Vision in a New Ecclesiology.” Oblatio (2012): 219–229.
“Teresa of Avila and Her Apostolic Zeal.” Spiritual Life 55 (2009): 73–82.
“Evangelical Poverty and the Proclaiming Disciple’s ‘Configuration to Christ’.” Offerings 1 (2002): 5–12.
“The Making of an Apostolic Man: 1808-1818 within the Formation of Saint Eugene de Mazenod, O.M.I.” Vie Oblate Life 58 (1999): 559–618.