oblates1

BENEDICTINE
OBLATES of
SAINT ANDREW'S
ABBEY

BELOW YOU will find a brief description of Benedictine oblates together with a complete list of the times and places of meetings for the different oblate groups which are part of Saint Andrew's Abbey. From here you may also link to:

OBLATES of SAINT BENEDICT are Christian men and women who strive to live in the secular world according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict. Although they are not monks or nuns, they draw inspiration from the Rule and from their ongoing affiliation with a particular Benedictine community for the task of living out the Gospel of Christ in their families and at their workplaces. Through their oblation or gift of themselves to God, they become part of the "extended family" of a particular Benedictine monastery, and share in the prayer and work of that community. Thus an oblate is not simply someone who is interested in monastic spirituality: like a monk or nun, the oblate is part of a particular monastic community which he or she regards as his or her spiritual home. This does not mean that the monastery in any sense competes with or could ever replace one's local parish. Instead, oblates carry Benedictine spirituality back to their parish communities, and they share with their monastic community the fruit of their life in the parish and in the world.

THE OBLATES of SAINT ANDREW'S ABBEY find a pattern for their own spiritual lives in the rhythms of silence and speech, solitude and hospitality, contemplative prayer and liturgy, which characterize monastic practice at Valyermo. The oblate program and the process of oblate formation are described in more detail in the Oblate Constitutions, a document which is part of the Customary (and thus part of the "proper law") of the Abbey.

OBLATES of SAINT ANDREW'S ABBEY meet regularly for prayer and fellowship, both at the Abbey and in local groups. Retreats for oblates and others interested in monastic spirituality are held at the Abbey throughout the year. An afternoon conference for oblates is given once a month on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The schedule for 2006 is as follows:

January 22: Fr. Aelred; February 12: Fr. Luke; March 12: Fr. Matthew; April 2: Fr. Luke; May 7: Fr. Joseph; June 4: Abbot Francis; July 9: Fr. Matthew; August 13: Abbot Francis; October 22: Fr. Joseph; November 19: Fr. Aelred; December 10: Fr. Damien.

Further details of these meetings may be obtained from the Guest Office at (661) 944-2178, ext. 0.

Led by Fr. Aelred Niespolo, O.S.B., this group gathers for Mass and a conference on monastic spirituality at Stella Maris, at 2321 S. Figueroa Way (near intersection of Figueroa and 23rd in downtown Los Angeles), at 2 pm on the second Saturday of the month. The contact person is Sister Elizabeth Prus, SSS, at (213) 741-0740.

Led by Fr. Philip Edwards, O.S.B., this group meets on the third Wednesday of the month for mass and a conference/discussion on the Rule. The contact person is Eileen Prendergast. Her address is: 1268 Reims St.Claremont, CA 91711; tel, (909) 624-7493; e-mail eochy@earthlink.net

Leadership is shared by group members, this group is decidedly ecumenical, both in focus and composition. The members meet monthly to practice lectio divina, to discuss life in the world according to the Rule, and to sing Compline. Barry Gerard is the group facilitator and can be contacted by e-mail at: cynbar10@pacbell.net, or
by phone at: 818.241.8321.

This group meets monthly. Meetings are held at the home of Joe and Mary Coffman. Please contact Joe Coffman at (626) 303-9524 or at jcoffman@altrionet.com if you are interested in attending.

Led by Abbot Francis Benedict, O.S.B., this group meets on the second Wednesday of the month. Information on times and locations of meetings may be obtained from the Abbey Guest Office at (805) 944-2178.

Led by Ron and Jody Berges. This group meets monthly on a Thursday evening to practice lectio divina, to discuss life in the world according to the Rule, and to sing Compline. The contact person is Ron Berges at (818) 766-8842 or at e-mail berges@mindspring.com.

Led by Abbot Francis Benedict, O.S.B., this group meets for mass and a conference on monastic spirituality on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The contact person is Hope Morrissey at (805) 527-0623.

Led by Fr. Gregory Elmer, O.S.B., this group meets for a conference on the Rule and Compline on the third Monday of the month. The contact person is Ralph Karleskint: tel. 805 687-6584; e-mail farmerb45@netpipeline.net.

Led by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B., this group meets monthly on a Friday at 7:30 pm for Vespers and a conference on monastic spirituality. The contact person is Mary Kaufman: 714 665 8730; e-mail: Mjkauffman@aol.com

More information concerning the oblates of St. Andrew's Abbey may be found in the following: