Douai Oblates

DOUAI ABBEY

DOUAI OBLATES
A view of the garden

The Rule of St Benedict has inspired the lives of Christian women and men for fifteen centuries. Besides those who live in monasteries, countless others, married and single, cleric and lay, who live 'in the world', finding inspiration in St Benedict's Rule become Benedictine Oblates. The Rule, characterised as it is by moderation and humanity, becomes their guide in life.
Its opening words, "Listen, my son, to the instructions of your master, turn the ear of your heart to the advice of a loving father" are an invitation to everyone.
The Rule offers a way of life for all "who seek God" and "yearn for life".
The key to this life is "moderation in all things"; St Benedict invites us to an integrated life.
Oblates undertake to seek God by the daily living of the threefold Benedictine spirituality

prayer - praying part of the monastic community prayer each day
work and
Benedictine Oblates lectio divina - spending some time in the prayerful reading of Scripture.

Oblates help bring Christ into their world, their homes and work places, and they always remain fully committed members of their parishes.
Oblates are affiliated to a particular monastery and become part of the community's extended family, giving each other mutual support in prayer and other ways.
Oblates keep in contact with the monastery, through visits, if they live close enough, and by e-mail or post. The Oblate Director produces Douai Oblate Newsletter three times a year.
They aim to make a retreat at least once a year.
There are three local area Oblate Chapters which meet regeularly, the Julian Chapter in Norfolk, the Wulstan Chapter in Warwickshire and the Faringdon Chapter in Berkshire. Click for detail of meetings.
The process of becoming an Oblate parallels that of becoming a monk: first a period of discernment, then a novitiate of about a year before making one's oblation.
If you are interested in the possibility of becoming an oblate of Douai or would like more details, please contact the Oblate Director at douaiabbey@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL OBLATES CONGRESS
There is an International Oblates Congress held in Rome each year. The UK oblates Team preparing for the 2009 International Congress of Oblates has a website with Congress information.

RESOURCES FOR OBLATES
Benedictine Oblates lectio divina - spending some time in the prayerful reading of Scripture. Benedictine Bibliography lists books of interest to oblates.
An article by Fr Hilary Ottensmeyer OSB of St Meinrad Archabbey on Stability for Oblates is available in the Newsletter of the St Gregory's Oblate Chapter, Perth, of New Norcia Abbey.
The oblates of the Monastery of the Ascension, Idaho, have created a most useful Oblate Manual.
There is a page of Oblate Resources and News.
Another page of Resoucres.
There is email group, the oblate forum group, where oblates can discuss with each other. To join, e-mail the group moderator, Jane Frith, an oblate of St Gertrude's Monastery, Cottonwood, ID, at jfrith@cableone.net.
Available on-line is the Oblate Newsletter of St John's Abbey Minnesota, also that of St Vincent's Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
The Oblates of Newark Abbey have their own web pages.
There is a short history of the Oblate Movement.
For further information about Oblates.