paxabbey at The Abbey of Our Lady of Exile, Mount St Benedict, Tunapuna, Port of Spain 00014 TT - MONKS HONOUR ST. SCHOLASTICA

Oblates of St Benedict are lay persons, both men and women, who affiliate themselves to a Benedictine Monastery or house in order to enrich their Christian life with the spiritual tradition of the Order of St Benedict.  They study the Rule of St Benedict and the Benedictine Spirituality and try to apply it to their particular state of life.  The Oblates of Mount St Benedict visit the Abbey each month for a meeting, during which they discuss the Spirituality and Rule of St Benedict.  At present, there are over sixty Oblates affiliated to the Abbey of Mount St Benedict.

During the celebration of the 8:30 am Mass on Sunday, four (4) Oblates made their first Oblation.  These were Anderson Christian, Harold Hamilton, Diahann White and Frances-Ann Weatherhead.  Two (2) Oblates made their final Oblation: Marilyn Charles and Nadine Singh.  Abbot John Pereira presided at the Conventual Mass of the Monastic Community at which the Monks, all the Oblates and a large congregation were present.  The presence of Abbot Hildebrand Greene from the monastery in Guyana was very much appreciated by the Oblates.  Msgr. Michael Steward, Rector of the Regional Seminary, joined the monks in concelebrating.  Also present in the congregation were Most Reverend Wilhelm De Bekker, Bishop of Paramaribo, Suriname, together with Mr Guus Arnoldus and Surinamese Seminarian Farood Harris, on Seminary business.  The General Secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, Mr Gerard Granado, was also present.

After making their final Oblation, Nadine and Marilyn placed their charts of Oblation on the altar as a sign of their self-giving and these remained for the entire Mass.  At the end of the ceremony all the Oblates renewed their Oblation.

During the homily, Abbot John stressed the Benedictine virtue of listening, one of the hallmarks of St Scholastica.  The entire ceremony was very up-lifting, which was enhanced by the singing of the Choir led by Ms Tara Mathura.  After the Mass, the Oblates met in the Pilgrim Center where certificates and laminated paintings of St Scholastica were handed out.  They then prepared for the Midday Prayer, which was led by the monks.

The Oblates then joined the monks for lunch, which was enjoyed by all.  One of the most senior Oblates at the age of 93 years, Ms Kitty Marcus, brought much joy to the occasion.  Several of the Oblates remained at the Abbey and joined the monks for the singing of Vespers and Benediction at 3:00 pm.  During his reflection at the Vespers, Abbot John highlighted the value of human and divine friendship, as exemplified in the life of St Scholastica.

As the Oblates departed the Abbey, they did so with a spirit of joy for a day well-spent and with a renewed zeal to continue on the path of St Scholastic and St Benedict.