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. We want to make
sure that every Associate and Oblate feels a real bond with the
community and have developed a number of ways of keeping in touch,
including web conferences which enable us to meet online in a way
that would not otherwise be possible.
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. Distance is no barrier to
association because the internet makes it possible to remain close
without being physically present. In March 2010 we welcomed our
first American Associate: the ceremony of affiliation took place
"in real time" by means of an online conference call.
