The recent UK Oblates Weekend turned into a global event with oblates and National Oblate Coordinator joining from nine countries including: Australia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Norway, Slovakia, Paraguay, Philippines and a special guest for Fr Laurence’s opening talk: Fr Jim Caffrey OCSO (Columba) from US. Spending a large part of one’s weekend facing a screen has its drawbacks, but these were quickly addressed on Saturday morning whenTerry led some refreshing Tai Chi exercises that were easy to remember and could be repeated during off-line times.
On Saturday afternoon Brother John from Turvey Abbey gave a very interesting and enlightening talk; he told us how in his first 8 years at the monastery his work was gardening and it proved a valuable time of healing for him, although he was unaware of it at the time. He mentioned ‘The Well Gardened Mind’ by Sue Stuart-Smith as a good read on the subject.
Janet received eight postulants and five novices before Evening Prayers and meditations on Saturday. There were regular periods of prayer and meditation throughout the weekend as one would expect. And a pleasantly surprising opportunity to talk with other oblates and seekers in small randomly chosen groups of five or six; known in Zoom-speak as a ‘Breakout Rooms’.
On Sunday several Oblates related aspects of their own spiritual journey and it was interesting to hear how many had explored other meditative techniques before adopting John Main’s approach. There were many opportunities to talk with and hear Father Laurence speak throughout the weekend.
Everyone ‘attended’ Mass on Sunday at Bonneveau. Here Father Laurence admitted three novices who made their final oblations. It was a very moving occasion, made more special in the unique setting where all UK Oblates hope to gather together in 2021.
Janet Robbins, a member of the UK Oblate Council and supporting all those in Formation said: “It was a truly unique weekend retreat and the feedback from those in Formation, confirmed how intimate and welcoming it was to be received with such love from members across the world”.
Eileen Dutt, International Oblate Coordinator said: “That the weekend went ahead at all – even if it was online – bore testimony to the truth of something Sr. Hilda Frost OSB shared in her very first reflection for Via Vitae (Summer/Fall 2001) I quote; ‘Yet Benedict continually reminds us to persevere and not to loose heart! ‘ It was a joyful, spirit-filled weekend that spanned the globe.”
Reflections: from Lynda Stark
VIRTUAL TURVEY – The first intriguing thing that happened before the weekend was an e-mail telling us that we would receive a green envelope which we weren’t to open. My interest was certainly engaged by this! The green envelope duly arrived and lay tantalising me for quite a few days. As an introduction to the weekend for someone who felt a bit unsure as to what might happen, this was ideal.
During this weekend I, along with seven others, was to go from Seeker to Postulant. At last I was making a commitment which had been long in thought, but short on action. During the weekend some moved from Postulant to Novice, and others made their final Oblation.
When the program for the weekend arrived, I felt slightly daunted, Zoom not being something I find it easy to use for long periods. However, I needn’t have worried, as the program was very thoughtfully arranged, and there were plenty of breaks.
Friday evening consisted of meditation, and a welcome by Father Laurence. We Seekers each had a short, and encouraging chat with him, and this was followed by a longer talk for everybody.
On Saturday, alongside the usual meditation and prayers, we had a short Tai chi session with Terry Doyle – a great start to the day. Mid-morning we had an hour of Lectio Divina facilitated by Ray Lamb. It was lovely to spend such a good chunk of time with Ray gently encouraging us to explore the text taken from John Main’s “Community of Love”.
During the morning we also enjoyed five oblates telling us of their spiritual journey.
In the afternoon we had a talk on formation by Brother John from Turvey Abbey. This was fascinating, and challenging.
The main part of the afternoon was contemplative practices, when the contents of the green envelope were finally revealed to be beautiful smelling herbs and lavender. We were encouraged to do whatever we wanted as long as it was contemplative. I went for a walk, wrote a couple of Haiku (not for publication!), and worked to sketch the lavender. This part of the weekend was particularly enjoyable, and relaxing.
On Sunday we had the usual morning prayer and meditation. After breakfast there was a profound personal sharing by an Oblate. We then went to Bonnevaux for Mass and to share in the final oblations of those moving from Novice to Oblate.
This was a wonderful weekend, which presented some challenges as a retreat at home. I want to thank the committee for all of their hard work in making this so enjoyable, and, as a newcomer, to thank the Oblate community for such a warm welcome. We are, indeed, a community of love. Lynda Stark
and a further Reflection from Mark Kenny….
On the weekend of the 9th of October, the annual UK Oblate Retreat took place virtually as an alternative to the physical gathering that normally takes place at Turvey Abbey. Nearly fifty people were virtually present over the weekend using the medium of Zoom, and we represented a range of ages, experiences, and nationalities, but we were united in our quest to discover something more of God’s call for our lives, and our community. The title of the weekend was “Crossing the Threshold”, a title that had a real resonance in that a number of us were making a step forward in our Oblate journey: becoming postulants, novices or even making their Full promises to the community. For the established members of the Oblate community, there was also the annual renewal of their promises to the community.
The program included so many different things: Lectio Divina, Tai Chi, personal introductions, break out rooms and contemplative activities off line. Standing at the heart of these varied activities though was a commitment to the silent meditation that is the hallmark of our community. We gathered together in our diverse locations throughout the retreat to commune with one another and with God through the use of a mantra. This meditation combined with the praying of the Offices enabled the community to nurture its spiritual roots, and to be deeply enriched by the shared silence. Father Laurence spoke to us on the Friday evening reminding us of the nature of our Benedictine community as a place of hospitality and of welcome to those who wanted to move deeper into the richness of the life of God. Brother John of Turvey Abbey in a wide-ranging talk also spoke about the place of formation within a monastic context, but also as something intrinsic to the life of faith. His reference to his own life as one where he felt called to ‘live alone in community’ remains a richly, paradoxical statement, and is certainly worthy of ongoing reflection.
The retreat finished on Sunday morning with the whole community joining the Bonnevaux virtual Contemplative Eucharist. As part of this Eucharist, a number of people made their Full Promises, and committed themselves to living out their personal spiritual journeys within the Benedictine family that we are part of. As someone who is relatively new to the community, on the first step of the ladder, this was a powerful moment to see those who had gone ahead of me in the journey making such significant promises. I am sure that they will, with the wider community, continue to mark the way for all of us as we day by day cross over the threshold into the life that God has called each one of us to.
Mark Kenny Postulant.