Oblates

Dear Friends,

This month’s reflection comes to us compliments of Carolyn Kennedy. Carolyn is a practising psychotherapist and full time mom. She lives in Whitby, Ontario with her husband Stephen, 3 young sons, and an assortment of animals.

It's been close to three years since I stood in front of Father Laurence and took my novitiate vows at St. Basils in Toronto. Four years since I first laid my tired eyes upon this beautiful Rule and began my daily reflections on its ageless wisdom. Little did I know at the time what this would bring into my life, nor imagine what it would mean to the evolution of my soul.

The first, opening word of the Rule is "Listen" - a simple verb that has caused this oblate an undesirable amount of suffering to be sure!! Not that I suffer from deafness nor from an inability to focus, but more precisely because many of the authority figures I have had in my life could not be trusted to have my best interests at heart. Read more »

It was in 2002 that Trish Panton gave me information about Benedictine Oblates, when she became Coordinator of Australian Oblates. After also asking Fr Laurence about it, I become a Benedictine Postulant in September 2002. Then as time approached for the Silent Retreat to be held in Ballarat Victoria in February 2003, I hoped and prayed that despite my mutiple chronic health problems, I would be able to attend.

How well I remember, the extremely kind and efficient manner, in which Trish Panton did everything possible to help my wish reach fruition. However as the time of the Retreat drew near, it became increasingly obvious to both myself and Trish, that it would not be wise for me to attempt to attend. From the silence of my home in Western Australia, I entered into the spirit of the retreat. Then on 6th February 2003, Fr Laurence received me as a Benedictine Oblate. Vesta Gamalatge kindly stood in for me, bringing home my Certficate and beautiful Medal of St Benedict. Read more »

When asked to contribute this piece about what being an oblate means to me, I sat down and wrote a long account, which would have bored everyone. Now, after several tries, I find I can write in fewer words about my desire to join this Benedictine community. Quite simply, I want to be in a community of shared values where I am accepted and encouraged to grow in truth and love. In addition, I want to contribute to the work of helping others find Christian meditation, as I believe that meditation has the power to change lives and the world. I believe that being part of this Community will help me to do that.

The foundation of the Community’s shared values is rooted in the teachings of Christ, as presented in the sacred text of the Bible. For me, the primary teaching, the commandment above all others, is to love God and our neighbours. Another goodly part of those shared values is encapsulated in The Rule of St Benedict. The primacy of knowing where one stands; of having some reasonable perspective of where one fits into the grand scheme of things; of keeping that root of all evil, pride, at bay; and, of course, the silence, are all fundamental to my understanding of the Benedictine way of life. Read more »

United States:
Mary Robison - maryrobison@mac.com

United Kingdom:
Eileen Dutt - eileendutt@yahoo.co.uk

New Zealand:
Hugh McLaughlin - hungnz1916@yahoo.com

Ireland:
Rowena O’Sullivan - rowenaos@gmail.com

Canada:
Polly Schofield – wccm.oblates@bell.net

Brazil:
Carlos Siqueira – carlos@wccm.com.br

Australia:
Trish Panton – pantonamdg@ozemail.com.au

International Co-ordinator:
Trish Panton, Australia.
Email: pantonamdg@ozemail.com.au
Tel: +61 2 9489 1780; Mob: +61 409 941 605
 

BECOMING AN OBLATE : FIRST STEPS

If you would like to explore this Benedictine path as a way of life growing out of your meditation we will be happy to help you understand what it involves. You will find basic vision by reading John Main’s Community of Love.

The article ‘Monastics in the World” below is also important to reflect on.

The first step in seeing if the WCCM Oblate Community is for you is to contact your National Oblate Co-ordinator. If there is not a coordinator in your country you can contact Trish Panton, the International Coordinator. They will be happy to answer your questions about the oblate path within the World Community. They will be in touch with you and send you information that clearly sets out the steps in the process of becoming an oblate and discuss what it means. Read more »