An Ordained Minister’s Discernment, Sorrows, and Joys
by
All Call that changes everything
Every ordained minister carries a story—one shaped by longing, discernment, sacrifice, and the quiet triumphs known only to those who have answered God’s call. The Call That Changes Everything invites readers into the interior journey of vocation, revealing the hidden struggles and sacred joys that accompany a life given wholly to Christ.
Drawing from decades of pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and monastic leadership, Bishop Oscar Joseph offers a rare and honest look at the realities behind the collar. This book speaks to the man discerning his call, the ordained minister seeking renewal, and the faithful who wish to understand the weight and wonder of ordained life. With clarity, compassion, and hard won wisdom, Bishop Oscar Joseph illuminates the path from aspiration to ordination, through sorrow into victory, and ultimately toward a deeper union with God.
This is not theory. It is lived experience—offered as a companion for the journey.
About the Author
Bishop Oscar Joseph, OCCO, M.S., Ph.D., D.S.T. A lifelong ordained minister, bishop, monk, counselor, and spiritual father, Bishop Oscar Joseph has spent more than six decades guiding men and women through discernment, healing, and spiritual formation. He has served as Abbot General of the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross, founded Beacon of Hope Ministries, and taught internationally as a retreat leader, educator, and mentor to clergy.
Holding advanced degrees in counseling, sacred theology, and education, he brings together academic rigor, pastoral insight, and monastic depth. His ministry has touched countless lives through preaching, teaching, spiritual direction, and the formation of ordained ministers across diverse Christian traditions.
His authority to write this book rests not only in his credentials, but in a lifetime of prayer, service, suffering, and grace—lived faithfully before God and offered now for the strengthening of others.
Greetings, I am Abbot Oscar Joseph. God has given me the mission to help set His people free so that they may live in the Joy of Spiritual Freedom. Indeed we are living in, with, and through God. Please think of yourself as part of the Beacon of Hope community.
Abbot Oscar Joseph’s biography Education: He holds a Master of Science in Education, doctoral degrees in Sacred Theology (Scripture) and Christian Counseling, and several honorary doctorates. Ministry: Ordained as a priest in 1993, he was consecrated as a bishop in 2002 and took his final vows as a monk in 1999. He has served thirty-five years as a Christian Counselor, and twenty-five years as the Abbot General for the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross. Roles: He has served as a TV and radio personality, former pastor of a local conservative Anglican Church, college educator, retreat master, and seminar leader Abbot Oscar Joseph is known for his extensive background in education, having taught psychology, sociology, Old and New Testament, English, and ethics at several local community colleges He is also the Founder/President of St. Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary. Publications He has authored numerous books. God has blessed him with a vocation of a mystic, healer, and contemplative monk.
Your Pilgrimage Toward Intimacy With God
by Abbot Oscar Joseph O.C.C.O. Contemplative Monk
Abbot Oscar Joseph places a strong emphasis on the foundational role of Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. He encourages the study and meditation of the Bible, using it as a guide for personal and communal spiritual growth. The writings of early Christian theologians and leaders provide a rich resource for understanding the faith and its traditions.
Rule of St. Benedict
The Rule of St. Benedict is often referred to as Scripture’s addendum and is a cornerstone of Brother Oscar Joseph's teachings. This Rule outlines principles for living, emphasizing values such as:
Prayer: Regular and disciplined prayer is central to deepening one's relationship with God.
Work: Engaging in meaningful work as a form of prayer and service.
Community Life: Building a supportive, loving community where individuals grow together in faith.
Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplation
These spiritual practices are vital in Brother Oscar Joseph’s teachings:
Prayer: Engaging in regular, heartfelt communication with God.
Meditation, reflecting on Scripture, and spiritual writings to gain deeper insights.
Contemplation: Experiencing the presence of God in silence and stillness, allowing for a transformative connection.
Spiritual Direction
Abbot Oscar Joseph offers spiritual direction to help individuals navigate their spiritual journey. This involves one-on-one guidance to explore personal faith, address doubts and fears, and discern God's will.
Healing Ministry
A significant part of Brother Oscar Joseph's work is a healing ministry, in which he shares God’s grace through numerous miraculous healings and teaches others to minister healing to those in need. This involves prayer, laying on hands, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. His healing services and public presentations are done in a quite reverential style.
A Christian Guide to healing body, mind and spirit for those searching for healing and those guiding them.
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk and Kathleen Rivest Pd.D.. D.D.
A Christian Guide to healing body, mind and spirit for those searching for healing and those guiding them.
Real Life Stories, Genuine Healings
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Real stories about God's love for the "unwanted".
No More Doubt/ No More Fear
by Abbot Oscar Joseph O.C.C.O. Contemplative Monk and Kathleen Rivest, Ph.D., DD
Companion Workbooks for The Joy of Spiritual Freedom, Listen with the Ear of Your Heart, and Memoirs of a Christian Healer.
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Willl help with spiritual development
A genuine preparation that works
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Beating Temptations offers clear, practical guidance for overcoming spiritual struggles and growing closer to God. With pastoral wisdom and simple tools, Brother Oscar Joseph equips readers to recognize temptation, resist it with confidence, and walk in lasting spiritual freedom.
What sets this book apart is its pastoral heart. Abbot Oscar Joseph writes not as an academic observer but as a spiritual father who has walked with countless souls through suffering, healing, and transformation. His insights into Catholic and Anglican perspectives further enrich the work, offering an ecumenical breadth that strengthens its relevance for a wide Christian audience.
Whether read in quiet devotion or shared in fellowship, Heaven, Happiness, Fulfillment speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart and affirms that true happiness begins with the eternal.
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
A beautiful companion for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth—this is a book readers will return to again and again.
There is a way to greater confidence
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Whether you are a seeker, a spiritual leader, or someone longing for deeper peace, The Lie of Self-Esteem will challenge your assumptions, comfort your soul, and guide you toward the confidence that only God can give
A Practical Application on How God Heals Today
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Discovering God's Companionship From Earth to Eternity
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
the way to true spiritual freedom
by Abbot Oscar Joseph OCCO Contemplative Monk
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk