23 of the 28 New Zealand oblates attended the retreat at the Magnificat Community, Featherston. This year was one of the warmest summers in New Zealand for many years. The temperature was in the high twenties ( 85 degrees fahrenheit) and very humid.The photo was taken on the one morning there was overnight rain which was a welcome relief.
Two novices made their final oblation, two postulants became novice oblates and one enquirer began his journey as a postulant. It was a time of togetherness, of friendship, of mutual respect and love for one another in the Benedictine Oblate community. (Hugh McLaughlin – National Oblate Coordinator, New Zealand)