Oblates of Saint Benedict at Prinknash Abbey

 

Basic Facts

 

Along with many Benedictine monasteries, Prinknash enjoys the privilege of accepting external oblates, that is to say, men and women, married or single, living outside the monastery, who wish to offer themselves to God in the Benedictine way, and conform their lives to the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict as lived at Prinknash, insofar as it is possible for them to do so in their circumstances. 

 

Origins

 

Chapter 59 of the Rule of Saint Benedict speaks of the offering of the sons of the rich and poor, who become monks in the monastery right from their infant years, and seemingly without having any choice in the matter.  The parents are to offer the child cum oblatione – with the oblation or offering, that is, at the Offertory or Preparation of the bread and wine to be consecrated for the Eucharist.  It is thought that the word “oblate” derives from this Latin phrase.  There have been Benedictine external oblates for centuries.

 

Oblation

 

After at least a year of probation as a novice oblate, all being well and with the assent of the Oblate Master, the oblate makes his or her oblation, that is, they offer themselves to God and to the monastery of Prinknash, in the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict.  This very often takes place at the summer meeting on a Sunday in early July each year, in the presence of the Abbot and community.  The Abbot then assures them that henceforth they will have a share in the spiritual goods of the monastery.  They are usually given some sign of their oblation, such as a small scapular or piece of cloth over the shoulders, a medal of Saint Benedict, or a copy of his Rule.

 

Spiritual Guidance

 

Oblates have a spiritual father or guide in the Oblate Master and his assistants, who offer them advice as to how they are to live the spirit of the Rule in their daily life, about times of retreat (in the monastery when possible, or elsewhere), prayer, and spiritual reading, and about any other matters about which the Oblate may require help.  Most oblates try to same some part at least of the Divine Office, that is, the Church’s official daily prayer, but this is not an obligation.  But contact with the sacred scriptures and other spiritual authors is essential if the life of Christ, given to us by our Baptism, is to deepen and fructify in our hearts.

 

Many paths to God

 

Many oblates are busy in their own home parishes, helping out in the pastoral work or in administration.  Others are involved in careers such as academia, teaching, law, medicine, and the nursing profession.  A few oblates are in the ordained ministry

 

Keeping in touch

Oblates, from the time of their becoming novices, receive the community’s review, PAX, through the post.  There is also a regular letter from the Oblate Master giving news, spiritual advice, and reporting any changes in the oblate community, such as clothings, oblations, illnesses and death.

 

Why Prinknash?

 

Both the monks themselves and the oblates often have difficulty in expressing exactly why they chose Prinknash, rather than any other Benedictine monastery.  There is a certain “something”, an attraction that cannot be put into words.  One simply knows that “this is the right place for me”.  Oblates enter into a relationship with the monastery that lasts for the rest of their lives, often through many decades.

 

What to do if interested

 

Those who are interested in joining should contact the Oblate Master, Father Aldhelm Cameron-Brown on prinknash@waitrose.com, or one of the Assistant Masters, Father Martin on bursarprinknash@waitrose.com, or Father Stephen on stephenhorton@waitrose.com.  You will normally be invited to come for an interview, and perhaps thereafter be invited to the monthly meetings, if you live fairly close to the monastery.

 

Monthly Meetings for those who are already part of the Oblate family

 

The meetings arranged so far for 2008 are:-

• Tuesday 15th April at 7pm

• Wednesday 14th May at 7pm

• Thursday 12th June at 7pm

• Annual Summer Meeting Sunday 13th July beginning with Mass at 10.30am, followed by talks, lunch, confessions, etc & ending with Vespers & Benediction