Turvey monastery from the gardens
A while back, I wrote about a course of study in which I’m engaged as I move towards becoming a Benedictine oblate. I’ll share some more reflections on that with you later this week.
But meanwhile, what exactly IS an oblate?
From the Latin, oblation (offering), a Benedictine oblate is someone who associates themselves formally with a particular Benedictine monastic community and, while remaining in the outside world, lives in accordance with the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict. Oblates can be married or single, male or female.
The Benedictine monastic way of life is a balance between prayer, work and study. As an oblate I’ll seek to reflect that in my own life.
The vows a Benedictine monk or nun takes are threefold:
- stability
- obedience
- conversatio morum
Stability commits the monastic to their particular monastery *. Some orders, especially teaching and missionary orders, move from one ‘house’ to another. Benedictines stick with their monastery and the community of people in it.
Obedience means listening to the voice of God in whatever guise it may come, discerning and following the right path for us, in both large and small things. The very first word of the Rule of Benedict is “Listen…”
Conversatio morum (conversion of life) means a continuing, lifelong openness to transformation. A continual turning back to and responsiveness to God. It encompasses the other two vows.
As an oblate, I won’t actually take these vows, but they will form part of the fabric of my life. In relation to stability, an oblate’s commitment is to the monastery with which they have a relationship, in my case the community at Turvey Abbey. But of course I will not actually live there.
In practical terms, I will spend some weekends each year at Turvey Abbey, a community which emphasises interfaith work, liturgy and the arts. I will continue my practice of Lectio Divina. (A quick plug here for Christine’s forthcoming book on Lectio – I know it will be wonderful!) I will pray some of the monastic offices each day. I’ll continue the course of reflective study of the Rule that Turvey oblates are currently embarked on.
I feel the need for a disclaimer on the paragraph I’ve just written. It all sounds great, doesn’t it, but in fact I don’t always do these things as a regular practice. I very often stumble and skip.
It may seem a bit mad to base one’s life on a 5th century monastic rule. Perhaps it is. But my hope is that it will give my spiritual life more focus and structure.
I’ll let you know.
* The word monastery (from the Greek monos – alone) applies to both female and male communities. Historically, ‘convent’ also applied to both genders, but has come to mean solely female communities. Arguably, the word ‘monk’ could also apply to both genders as it comes from the same Greek root. I prefer to use ‘monastery’ and ‘monastic’. And let’s not get into the difference between nuns and sisters, nor a cenobite as opposed to a hermit and how a hermit may be different from an anchorite! Although it’s all quite interesting – there may be a whole sub-category of geekdom here.
If you’d like to find out more about the Rule and history of St Benedict, you may like my article What is Benedictine spirituality?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
The stumbling and skipping is precisely why we become oblates, to do this together and offer mutual support. Congratulations on this journey Tess, I am delighted you will be “joining the club” so to speak, of course it is much more than that as you know. The one place where I feel genuinely comfortable to be connected to the church. And thanks so much for the book plug!
Dear Tess
Thank you for your comment on my blog earlier today – I have responded. I am looking forward to ‘stumbling and skipping’ along with you over time to come. You have very eloquently described the essence of what being an Oblate is from a very human perspective and it’s helped me somewhat to see it there in writing. I will be doing something similar on my blog at some point I think.
Hopefully we’ll meet at Turvey some time soon??
Every blessing
Sharon xx
Christine, thank you, I’m grateful to have you over there across the ocean sharing this connection.
Sharon, welcome and thanks for your comment, and your response to mine on your blog. I’m sure we will meet soon, blessings to you.
Wow, Tess, this is lovely! What a great journey. I note that I am already doing #s 2 and 3…hmm.
Towanda – good ol’ Benedict, that’s what I like – his universality.
Tess, it’s wonderful that you’ve committed yourself to the continuing transformation that the life of the spirit authentically lived demands, and that you’ve found a spiritual home and community that supports you in this. May it bring you that deep joy that only a life rooted in the spiritual can bring.
Having said that, I know exactly what you mean by stumbling and skipping!
Hi Tess ~ I found you via Sharon at A Catholic calling. I too am an Oblate (Curzon Park Abbey, Chester), and I have enjoyed reading your summary of these aspects of the Rule.
Many blessings to you on your Oblate journey!
AR xx
Barney, thank you, yes, the stumbling and skipping – somehow I think I’m the only one doing it, although I know it ain’t so!
AutumnRose, welcome here, and thank you for your comment. I don’t know Curzon Park Abbey, will have to look them up.
I am kind of a failed Oblate myself. Too much stumbling and skipping, but without the supportive community in proximity. Will you select a new name for yourself when you make your oblation?
tess–i keep meaning to mention that i believe my favorite benedictine monk is associated with turvey abbey. his name is father aidan. ring a bell? if so, it is indeed a very small world!
Barbara, I hadn’t even thought of a new name. It is sometimes done. Ooh, such interesting possibilities you’ve raised. I’ll have to think about it.
Lucy, no never heard of a Father Aidan at Turvey (although I used to have a boyfriend called Aidan!). I wonder if your Father Aidan is a member of another benedictine community in the UK.
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