Annual Oblate Retreat

From August 13 through August 16, the Monastery hosted our annual retreat for Benedictine Oblates. Again this year, the retreat centered on the celebration of the Monastery's Patronal Festival, the Assumption (Dormition) of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. This was historically the day that Glastonbury Abbey, dedicated to Our Lady, celebrated Our Lady of Glastonbury, up until the destruction of the Abbey by King Henry VIII.

Fourteen Oblates, and two of our three ex-claustral monastics -- Dame Olga and Dom Emmanuel Gerasim -- along with His Grace Bishop John, the Rev. David McCready, Intern Stephan Johansson, and the family of one of the Oblates joined the Monastic Brotherhood in prayer and fellowship over the weekend. On the Feast of the Assumption, six novice Oblates made their Oblation at Mass in the morning, then at Vespers, the spouse of one of the new Oblates was received as a Novice Oblate.

It was a joyful and blessed time together and we take this opportunity to thank all our Oblates for their prayers and support of the Monastery, and assure them of our ongoing prayers for them and for their families!