The Benedictine Way of Life
Every Benedictine abbey is a special centre of liturgical prayer and sacrifice, which is offered to Almighty God daily in its abbey church. The prayers and good works of the monks and nuns have a unique efficacy in virtue of their complete dedication to the service of God. Chief among their good works is the OPUS DEI referred to in English as THE DIVINE OFFICE or THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. This is recited solemnly in Choir at the appropriate Hours, and culminates in the daily offering of the CONVENTUAL MASS.
At Ealing the abbey church is also the parish church. Many members of the parish, and others residing nearby, come daily to attend the conventual Mass and one or other of the liturgical Hours, thus sharing in the spiritual life of the monks in the closest possible way.
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE OBLATES consists of lay people whose desire it is, while living in the world, to seek God with all their heart and will under the special patronage of Our Holy Father Benedict, and those who have been admitted by the Abbey to make the public Promise. It is the canonically approved way that enables lay people to participate most fruitfully and harmoniously in the life and work of the monks and thereby to share in the spirit, ideals and practice of the Benedictine way of life. It offers them a certain stability to assist them in modeling their own private lives upon the Rule of Saint Benedict so far as is compatible with their family and social obligations and their duties at work. At one and the same time they sanctify themselves and their families, while also helping to extend the apostolate of the monks around and outside the monastery. The Church has legislated that the Oblate Promise does not bind under pain of sin.
The Abbot has appointed an Oblate Master whose task it is, under the authority of the Abbot, to assist and oversee the Oblates’ spiritual formation. For this purpose the Oblate Master arranges Oblates’ meetings, currently on four occasions per year, and assists in individual guidance. Each month he offers Holy Mass for the Association of the Oblates. Upon notification of the death of oblates who have not allowed their Promise to lapse he offers a Mass of Requiem. He also, and especially, guides candidates during their probationary period, which lasts a minimum of one year.
During their probationary period the candidates – with the active support of their Sponsors – acquaint themselves thoroughly with the Rule of Saint Benedict and consider it in the light of their personal circumstances and existing secular obligations. Prior to their Oblation, as a means to achieving their spiritual aims, the candidates draw up their own individual rule of life, modeled on the Rule of Saint Benedict as closely as their own prior secular commitments permit, and submit it for approval by the Oblate Master. Thenceforth they conscientiously strive to live by this personal Rule of Benedictine life. If their personal circumstances at a later date either facilitate or necessitate a modification, they should seek the approval of the Oblate Master before making any further changes.
Every Benedictine abbey is a special centre of liturgical prayer and sacrifice, which is offered to Almighty God daily in its abbey church. The prayers and good works of the monks and nuns have a unique efficacy in virtue of their complete dedication to the service of God. Chief among their good works is the OPUS DEI referred to in English as THE DIVINE OFFICE or THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. This is recited solemnly in Choir at the appropriate Hours, and culminates in the daily offering of the CONVENTUAL MASS.
At Ealing the abbey church is also the parish church. Many members of the parish, and others residing nearby, come daily to attend the conventual Mass and one or other of the liturgical Hours, thus sharing in the spiritual life of the monks in the closest possible way.
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE OBLATES consists of lay people whose desire it is, while living in the world, to seek God with all their heart and will under the special patronage of Our Holy Father Benedict, and those who have been admitted by the Abbey to make the public Promise. It is the canonically approved way that enables lay people to participate most fruitfully and harmoniously in the life and work of the monks and thereby to share in the spirit, ideals and practice of the Benedictine way of life. It offers them a certain stability to assist them in modeling their own private lives upon the Rule of Saint Benedict so far as is compatible with their family and social obligations and their duties at work. At one and the same time they sanctify themselves and their families, while also helping to extend the apostolate of the monks around and outside the monastery. The Church has legislated that the Oblate Promise does not bind under pain of sin.
The Abbot has appointed an Oblate Master whose task it is, under the authority of the Abbot, to assist and oversee the Oblates’ spiritual formation. For this purpose the Oblate Master arranges Oblates’ meetings, currently on four occasions per year, and assists in individual guidance. Each month he offers Holy Mass for the Association of the Oblates. Upon notification of the death of oblates who have not allowed their Promise to lapse he offers a Mass of Requiem. He also, and especially, guides candidates during their probationary period, which lasts a minimum of one year.
During their probationary period the candidates – with the active support of their Sponsors – acquaint themselves thoroughly with the Rule of Saint Benedict and consider it in the light of their personal circumstances and existing secular obligations. Prior to their Oblation, as a means to achieving their spiritual aims, the candidates draw up their own individual rule of life, modeled on the Rule of Saint Benedict as closely as their own prior secular commitments permit, and submit it for approval by the Oblate Master. Thenceforth they conscientiously strive to live by this personal Rule of Benedictine life. If their personal circumstances at a later date either facilitate or necessitate a modification, they should seek the approval of the Oblate Master before making any further changes.