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
lectio divina - spending some time in the prayerful reading of Scripture.

Oblates help bring Christ into their world, their homes and work places.
They always remain fully committed members of their parishes or churches.

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 Douai Oblate Newsletter is published periodically.

They aim to make a retreat at least once a year.

There are four local area Oblate Chapters which meet regeularly,
the Julian Chapter in Norfolk,
the Wulstan Chapter in Warwickshire
the Faringdon Chapter in Berkshire
the Erkonwald Chapter in London.
Click for details of meetings.

The process of becoming an Oblate parallels that of becoming a monk:
first a period of discernment,
then a novitiate of a year or more
before asking to make 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 douaioblate@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL OBLATES CONGRESS

Two international Oblates Congresses have been held in Rome in 2005 & 2009 and a third is planned for 2013.

RESOURCES FOR OBLATES

Information about oblates, and the different Benedictine monastic communities in Great Britain and Ireland.

An Oblates Website with much information and useful links.

Benedictine Oblates

Lectio divina - spending some time in the prayerful reading of Scripture.

Benedictine Bibliography lists books of interest to oblates.

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.

Another Benedictine Forum.

Available on-line are the Oblate Newsletters of many monasteries.

There is a short history of the Oblate Movement.

For further information about Oblates.