Associates and Oblate
Associates
St Benedict lists among
the tools of good works "To prefer nothing to the love of Christ".
Many men and women try to live out this ideal in their homes and
workplaces. Association with a particular monastery is valued
because of the support it gives. At Holy Trinity Monastery we are
happy to be able to associate others with us in the quest for God
and count ourselves blessed that our Associates and oblate
Associates contribute so much to the spiritual and material
well-being of the community.
The stages of Association
Just as there are several stages between becoming a novice and
making final profession as a nun, so there is a period of
preparation and testing of vocation before becoming an oblate
Associate. (The Latin from which the word "oblate" derives means
"offered": the oblate Associate is "offered" to God.) The first
stage, affiliation as an Associate, lasts at least a year. During
that time the Oblate Mistress will introduce the candidate to the
Rule of St Benedict and encourage him or her to grow in love of
prayer and the scriptures. If all goes well, the Associate makes a
promise to follow the Rule of St Benedict and serve God and
neighbour, insofar as his/her circumstances in life allow, and is
admitted as an oblate Associate of the community.
A
reciprocal relationship
Associates are united with us in spiritual communion, and we take
the duty of prayer for their welfare and that of their families
very seriously. Some Associates visit the monastery regularly to
join us in prayer, others are prevented from doing so by distance
but keep in touch and take as full a part as they can in our
Associate programme.
Open
to all
Association is open to all Trinitarian Christians, irrespective of
denomination, for St Benedict remarks that "we are all one in
Christ and serve alike under the standard of the same Lord."
Members of other Churches are encouraged to take an active part in
the life of their own Communion.
