Oblate Letter 23 Autumn 2014 Exaltation of the Cross

 “Nothing Dearer than  Christ”

  Oblate letter of the Pluscarden Benedictines, Elgin,

 Moray, Scotland. IV30 8UA.

 Ph. (01343) 890257 fax 890258

 Email oblatemaster@pluscardenabbey.org

 Website www.pluscardenabbey.org   DMB series No 23

Oblate Letter Autumn Exaltation of the Cross 2104

Monastic Voice: St Francis de Sales, bishop--ergo had fullness of charisms necessary to his office, including monastic.

St Francis De Sales:"Letters To Persons In The World"- LETTER XLIL  To a religious of the visitation."Answers to questions on the truths of Faith."  Dated 28th November, 1621.

            "THE truths of the faith, my dearest child, are sometimes agreeable to the human spirit, not only because God has revealed them by his word, and proposed them by his Church, but also because they suit our taste, and because we enter into them thoroughly, we understand them easily, and they are according to our inclinations. As, for example, that there is a Paradise after this mortal life, this is a truth of faith which many hold much to their satisfaction, because it is sweet and desirable. That God is merciful the greatest part of the world finds to be a very good thing, and easily believes, because even philosophy teaches us this ; it is conformable to our taste and to our desire.

            Now, all the truths of faith are not of this kind; as, for example, that there is an eternal hell for the punishment of the wicked, this is a truth of faith, but a bitter, terrifying, fearful truth, and one which we do not believe willingly, except by the force of God's word.

And now I say, firstly, that naked and simple faith is that by which we believe the truths of faith, without considering any pleasure, sweetness, or consolation we may have in them, but solely by the acquiescence of our spirit in the authority of the word of God, and the proposition of the Church : and thus we believe no less the terrifying truths than the sweet and agreeable truths : and then our faith is naked, because it is not clothed with any sweetness or any relish ; it is simple, because it is not mingled with any satisfaction of our own feelings.

            Secondly, there are truths of faith which we can apprehend by the imagination ; as that our Lord was born in the manger of Bethlehem, that he was carried into Egypt, that he was crucified, that he went up to heaven. There are others, which we cannot at all grasp with the imagination, as the truth of the Most Holy Trinity, Eternity, the presence of our Lord's

body in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist : for all these truths are true in a way which is inconceivable to our imagination, since we cannot imagine how these things can be. Still, our understanding believes them firmly and simply, on the sole assurance it has of the word of God : and this faith is truly naked, for it is divested of all imagination ; and it is entirely simple, because it has no sort of action except the action of our understanding, which purely and simply embraces these truths on the sole security of God's word. This faith, thus naked and simple, is that which the saints have practised and do practise amid sterilities, drynesses, distrusts, and darknesses.

            To live in truth, and not in untruth, is to lead a life entirely conformed to naked and simple faith, according to the operations of grace and not of nature ;because our imagination, our senses, our feeling, our taste, our consolations, our arguments, maybe deceived and may err; and to live according to them is to live in untruth, or at least in a perpetual risk of untruth; but to live in naked and simple faith, this is to live in truth.

So it is said of the wicked spirit, that he abode not in the truth because having had faith in the beginning of his creation, he quitted it, wishing to argue, without the faith, about his own excellence, and wishing to make himself his end, not according to naked and simple faith, but according to natural conditions, which carried him on to an extravagant and irregular love of himself. This is the lie in which live all those who do not adhere with simplicity and nudity of faith to the word of God, but wish to live according to human prudence, which is no other than an ants' nest of lies and vain arguments.

This is what I think good to say to you on your two questions.

FROM THE OBLATEMASTER'S DESK

            How very often when our brethren( or ourselves!) come up with questions, with problems, of faith they turn out to be, in the cold light of day, problems of suffering. "If God loved me/us/them....if God loved,..... then how could He allow that to happen? The supernatural virtue of faith is a gift of the holy Spirit with which we cooperate with our whole will or not. If our "faith" rests simply on our liking for certain truths or the power of our imagination to conceive of them and agree with them then there is very little of the theological virtue of faith there at all. If all our "faith" is like this then we may hardly be exercising the supernatural virtue of faith at all. We have turned St Irenaeus' dictum on its head. He said theology is "faith seeking understanding". We have become all-wise measurers of all things seeking a god (small g), seeking a "faith" that fits the facts ( OUR "facts"). Instead of seeking God as we are adjured to do by St Benedict we are seeking ourselves.

            St Francis de Sales points us towards the "naked and simple" faith that is  the genuine article, the virtue and gift of God that faith is and that leads us to God like hope and charity.

The monk, the nun and the oblate all require to exercise this virtue of faith in order to seek God where they are in all the circumstances of life especially the most untoward and cross-grained. The cross where it rests on us is the growing point of faith. Faith that does not start from here is not faith at all. The things that might "shake" faith are the very starting-points of faith truly so called.

Books and media  We commend the author of  the "Introduction to the Devout life", St Francis De Sales. The above quoted quasi-monastic(!?) voice is equally accessible to all and while not in print as far as I can see at present  is plentifully available second- hand and from libraries and in every form written and audible as a free download for your computer or Kindle. May I remind you of the Oblate website http://www.benedictine-oblates.net/monastery.htm which has notification of oblate events in Britain and a booklist and other interesting material. May I also remind you, on the home front, that my email  at the head of every oblate letter  is oblatemaster@pluscardenabbey.org    Many of you try to contact me through the website or through monks@pluscardenabbey.org   which usually takes much longer and is not direct. I am the Mass stipendiary too so oblatemaster@pluscardenabbey.org can be used to arrange Masses to be said (as long as the oblatemaster is also  the stipendiary!!)

Prayer Intentions Abbot President Bruno who is ill. Br Simon whose solemn profession was 14th of September.For our new Oblates, Lillian Anne Bailey and Cyprian Chuan Eng Francis Lee. Novice Oblates Eileen Fitzpatrick and Deirdre McGovern. Susan Carson-Rowland’s golden Wedding. Mgr.Robert impending hip replacements, For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. For vocations at Pluscarden, St Mary's,  Petersham and Kristo Buase. Br. Adrian and Br. Finbar, health and for his mother. Br Gabriel’s mother and Fr. Dunstan’s parents, failing .The repose of the souls of Oblates Mrs Rose Gilfedder, Mrs Myrtle Doughty and also Mrs. Pauline Reid (Ampleforth Oblate.), Susan Carson-Rowland’s sister-in-law Joanne, Gertrude Corker’s daughter-in-law. Please pray for our sick Oblates and their relatives & especially Eileen Grant's son Robin seriously ill , Sarah Drever’s husband Leslie, Leandro Herrero, Mrs. Allie Brien, Connie Reid's husband poorly, Brigitte Mackay and Maggie Barrett, Paul Miller 90's and hernia, Margaret Rawcliffe, Mrs. Gertrude Corker’s two daughters, Bob Barr, Brian Milne, Gail Schmitz, Martin's wife Mary, Maurice Dufficy, Mary Bradley, Maureen’s sister Dorothy, Leonora, Graham Dunbar, Alison Donald, Beth Fraser and her husband Chris, Bob Clark, Nick MaCrae’s son, Martin MaCrae, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Jacqui’s daughter Sally, Poppy Sinclair, Ian Brodie and his twin brother, Carolyn Boardman and son Malcolm, Martin Farrelly , David Braine, philosopher, Susan Stephen, Violet, Sheila and all friends of the Abbey (especially the Rodway's grandchild Kiara) and for all oblates, and all the sick, and those who care for them--and for Josaphat our sponsored seminarian. 

Events  Oblate Retreat here at Pluscarden first weekend of Lent 2015 led by our Abbot Anselm as before.( 20th-23rd February 2015) book with Fr. Bede or attend daily.

St  Mungo’s Chapter Glasgow. As announced. Peter Aitken 11, Maxwell Grove, Glasgow. G41 5JP.  Phone: 0141 4272084. Numbers have been steadily increasing.

St Margaret’s Chapter Dunfermline..Pat Carrigan         smcb_oblates@live.co.uk

St. Monica’s Chapter, Thurso. Contact Jane Coll. "Scaraben”, Westside, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone 01847 851467  

ST.PETER'S CHAPTER OF OBLATES Aberdeen NEXT  MEETING --- Mr Brian Milne Tel 01224 485781 stpetersbulletin1803@talktalk.net     ( HIS HEALTH IS POORLY AGAIN SO PLEASE CHECK)

Ugandan Seminarian update:-The Oblates are supporting Josaphat in his year of Pastoral work. The Parish will give him the accommodation and food but he needs money for:-  Clothing: he needs a white cassock. Books: Morning and Evening Prayers, Hymn books, African or Jerusalem Bible and a Catechism. During the year he will be called away for Seminars and so will need travel expenses and sustenance.

I believe that Josaphat is a mature young man focused on the Priesthood.  Please remember him in your prayers.

 If you feel drawn to assisting Josaphat in any way then please contact me, Paul Costello, 4, Commercial Road, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 9BD. Telephone 01358-721512 e-mail:paulandjocostello@btinternet.com

From Fr. Ambrose-- former Oblatemaster, now superior of KB--"Dear Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Greetings from Kristo Buase! We have just launched a new website: www.kristobuasemonastery.org      home on leave end September/beginning November

With blessings and prayer for us all that  the Cross triumph in each and all of us .                       Yours in Christ and SPNB,

                                                                        Fr. Martin      pax

Oblate Letter 22 Easter Pentecost Summer 2014

                                           “Nothing Dearer than  Christ”

 Oblate letter of the Pluscarden  Benedictines,

 Elgin,                                         

  Moray, Scotland. IV30 8UA.

  Ph. (01343) 890257 fax 890258

Website www.pluscardenabbey.org   DMB series No 22

Easter Pentecost Summer 2014

Monastic Voice: "The Hermitage Within": by A Monk (Cistercian)

"We are all collaborating in a collective task: the building and adorning of the church, the living temple. In moments of weariness, when the silence of your cell suddenly terrifies you with its unnerving severity, when you feel that you are a prisoner of the void, think of the communion of saints. This is no myth. Everywhere, throughout the world, in cloisters, in hermitages, countless brothers and sisters, of whom some are saints indeed, are praying and suffering for your perseverance and sanctification. Draw comfort from the thought that you are praying for them.

Without ever having met you, they are closer to you than your nearest friends. Your God is theirs, their ideal yours: the same grace quickens you, the same Spirit enlivens you. You attend the same Mass, and with the same dispositions receive the same Sacrament of the Eucharist. You say the same Lord's Prayer, sing the same praise. You have the same Mother, Mary. You aspire to the same heaven, and on earth you consent to the same renunciations in order to live by the same supernatural realities. You know the same struggles. And your merits and theirs all fall into that same treasury of the Church, to be shared by all. If friendship is a sharing of the wealth of mind and heart, you can count a multitude of friends of all conditions everywhere on earth."

From  The  Oblatemaster’s  Desk    Who would have thought that Providence would push my way another monastic voice from the pen of a hermit? As you  may know we have a small library of books for Oblates which are usually collected and returned when oblates pay a visit here and have a chat with the oblate master. I have been less astute than my predecessors in monitoring the issue and return of these books but even I was surprised recently when a book made its way back here that had been out for six or seven years--but it was the route that was surprising. A kind person in the Highland capital had seen this interesting book in a second-hand bookshop and purchased it. They were surprised to discover that it had originated from our Oblate Library and kindly donated it back to its origin!! That book was "The Hermitage Within"-- our Monastic Voice of this summer issue of the Oblate letter. Our Lord--Providence--has some wonderful ways of spotlighting something for our especial attention.

In our Western society loneliness is one of the curses of a fragmented society. How many people have a TV set switched permanently on in their dwelling to mask the excruciating silence surrounding them with loneliness? Materialism run riot is often a symptom, like the little sledge "Rosebud" of the film Citizen Kane that symbolises the last sundering of loving ties with other human beings that leads to his galloping loneliness-- a symptom of an inner void that we attempt to fill with material things.

How many people think that living on one's own, the solitary life or the peripatetic life (the rolling stone syndrome) that these can be equated with and are simply equivalent to loneliness? How many again would assume that a hermit life must necessarily be a recipe for unhappiness "suited" only to the misfit or misanthrope? The assumption is that humans, gregarious by nature, must be defective and maladjusted to live steadily and by choice the hermit life.

The Christian, Cistercian, hermit who wrote our text quoted above gives the lie to all these false assumptions. Granted that the existential "angst" of individual responsibility and action which the hermit above talks of " when the silence of your cell suddenly terrifies you with its unnerving severity, when you feel that you are a prisoner of the void"- granted that the genuine hermit is not immune to this aspect of the human condition (who could circumvent the experience of our Lord, at its highest pitch, in having reached a place in one's life sometimes, where one is entirely unaccompanied?) To live unwitnessed and with no one apparently "there for me" can lead to a dull pain, with life seeming to lose its savour. Nevertheless this experience of two thirds of the population of our country is not the fabric and substance of the Christian hermit's life. How so? Why not? Wherein lies the difference? Is there any way out of a life cornered and at bay so to speak, hedged in by loneliness?

Our chosen text unlocks the door of the loneliness corner we may be in. It gives us many keys, it makes the walls come down, it opens our hearts to let the void escape, as it must, while the reality of Life comes in.

Here are the keys that it mentions explicitly or implicitly:- firstly the Communion of Saints, The Mystical Body, the Church, the Sacraments, prayer, the presence of our brethren rather than their absence, the Presence of God.

 The key that transforms my prison of loneliness is the realisation that there is no absence, only a Presence. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."( Hebrews 12 1-3)

Christ is with us, in us, around us. He is in His sacraments, in the Word of God, in the liturgy (for example our Divine Office), in prayer, in our brethren near or far (dead or living).

Even when I am on my own (or in the midst of a seething mass of people) the true reality of my experience when I become aware of it is one of SHARING: "You have the same Mother, Mary. You aspire to the same heaven, and on earth you consent to the same renunciations in order to live by the same supernatural realities. You know the same struggles. And your merits and theirs all fall into that same treasury of the Church, to be shared by all. If friendship is a sharing of the wealth of mind and heart, you can count a multitude of friends of all conditions everywhere on earth." Who could be radically on their own when  praying the "OUR Father..... Give US this day OUR....lead US not into temptation....deliver US from evil..."

Loneliness, true loneliness is indeed an absence-------it is not an absence of other beings, human, or of the Divine Being Who is our Father. True loneliness is an ABSENCE OF PRAYER.

"Abba!","Father!" breaks the false spell of loneliness, as does the Holy Name of "Jesus!"

Books and media  We cannot commend too highly Martin Gardner's work in recording our first two Oblate Weekends and now last year's pilgrimage to Caldey in DVD's. May I remind you that to get your copy all you have to do is give a donation to Pluscarden ( big or small -- between you and the Lord!) and email or write to Martin Gardner:  martin@guardair.co.uk      Post:- Dunmoir, 18, Gurney St., Stonehaven, AB39 2EB.

            After our delightful and stimulating Pentecost lectures this year given by St. Mary's, Petersham Oblate, Professor Carol G. Zaleski whose appetite  would not be whetted for some of her books such as:- ' "Otherworld Journeys"--- (which) offers the most comprehensive treatment to date of the evidence surrounding near-death experiences. The first to place researchers' findings, first-person accounts, and possible medical or psychological explanations in historical perspective, she discusses how these materials reflect the influence of contemporary culture. She demonstrates that modern near-death reports belong to a vast family of otherworld journey tales." '--£15  Oxford University Press 1987  ISBN 0-19-503915-7.-------If you read this you'll want to read her other books too--- and those of her husband ( also an oblate!)

Prayer Intentions Br Simon's solemn profession (hoped for) circa the 14th of September or at least this year, perhaps.   For our new Oblates, Campbell Maurus Murdoch and Rebecka Helena Winell Reid. Father, now Canon Luke Smith, Mgr. Robert impending hip replacements, Mr &and Mrs. Bampton Golden Jubilee wedding year, For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. For Fr. Ambrose and all the monks of Kristo Buase on their silver Jubilee of foundation 6th August, the Transfiguration this year. For vocations at Pluscarden, St Mary's,  Petersham and Kristo Buase. Br. Adrian and Br. Finbar, health. Br Gabriel’s mother and Fr. Dunstan’s parents, failing .The repose of the souls of Oblate Claire Marie Hérnandez née Gilfedder and for the health of her mother Mrs Rose Gilfedder just out of hospital. Please pray for other sick Oblates especially  Sarah Drever’s husband Leslie, Mrs. Allie Brien broken hip, Constance Reid's husband poorly, Christina Nicol's daughter Libby, Brigitte Mackay and Mrs Maggie Barrett  recovering from heart surgery, Paul Miller 90's and hernia, Margaret Rawcliffe, Ursula Humphrey, Mrs. Gertrude Corker’s two daughters, Bob Barr, Brian Milne, Gail Schmitz and her son Julian, Martin's wife Mary, Maurice Dufficy, Mary Bradley, Graham Dunbar, Pauline Reid and her husband, Beth Fraser and her husband Chris, Bob Clark, Nick MaCrae’s son, Martin MaCrae, and wife Sharon, kidney transplants, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Jacqui’s daughter Sally, Poppy Sinclair, Ian Brodie and his twin brother, Carolyn Boardman and son Malcolm, Martin Farrelly , David Braine, philosopher, Susan Stephen, Violet, Sheila and all friends of the Abbey and for all oblates, and all the sick, and those who care for them--and for Josaphat our sponsored seminarian. 

Events 

Retreat Arranged by UK Oblate Team:-

AMPLEFORTH ABBEY York YO62 4EN         5-7 September 2014

Fr Matthew Burns OSB leads a retreat encouraging us to see our prayer as a sharing in the hidden life of God, Prayer, Praise and the Trinity. For further details, and to book a place on this retreat, please e-mail  Stephen Day on      day.sj@virgin.net        or telephone Stephen on 01453 860367

Pluscarden Oblate Chapters

St  Mungo’s Chapter Glasgow. As announced. Peter Aitken 11, Maxwell Grove, Glasgow. G41 5JP.  Phone: 0141 4272084. Numbers have been steadily increasing.

St Margaret’s Chapter Dunfermline..Pat Carrigan         smcb_oblates@live.co.uk

St. Monica’s Chapter, Thurso. Contact Jane Coll. "Scaraben”, Westside, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone 01847 851467 

ST.PETER'S CHAPTER OF OBLATES Aberdeen WAS STARTED AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH IN ST.PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH ROOM AT 5PM IF YOU KNOW OF ANY OBLATES CAN YOU PASS ON THIS INFORMATION THANK YOU!--NEXT  MEETING        Mr Brian Milne Tel 01224 485781 stpetersbulletin1803@talktalk.net     ( HIS HEALTH IS POORLY AGAIN SO PLEASE CHECK)

 Ugandan Seminarian update:-

The Oblates are supporting Josaphat in his year of Pastoral work. The Parish will give him the accommodation and food but he needs money for:-  Clothing: he needs a white cassock. Books: Morning and Evening Prayers, Hymn books, African or Jerusalem Bible and a Catechism. During the year he will be called away for Seminars and so will need travel expenses and sustenance.

I believe that Josaphat is a mature young man focused on the Priesthood.  Please remember him in your prayers.

 If you feel drawn to assisting Josaphat in any way then please contact me, Paul Costello, 4, Commercial Road, Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 9BD.

Telephone 01358-721512

e-mail :- paulandjocostello@btinternet.com

From Fr. Ambrose-- former Oblatemaster, now superior of KB--"Dear Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Greetings from Kristo Buase! We have just launched a new website: www.kristobuasemonastery.org It takes time for these things to be picked up by Google and other search engines so I would be grateful if you could help us publicise the site by encouraging friends and oblates to visit it and perhaps even adding a link to your own website. We get one point for every individual who visits, and five points for every Facebook “Like”. In all we need 700 points to get the site up in the listings of the search engines. We will be using the website as a platform for a fund-raising appeal for our Silver Jubilee of foundation. Our aim is to build a church and guesthouse – these were part of the original sketch plans drawn up in 1987 but never implemented because of a tight budget. We are still worshipping in a chapel which seats only 15 people and need to recover the existing guest rooms for an expanding novitiate. All good wishes, Fraternally, Fr Ambrose Flavell, OSB Superior, Kristo Buase Monastery, P.O. Box TM-291,TECHIMAN, B/A Ghana West Africa     e-mail is             kb@africaonline.com.gh       -----Written 2014 in the Silver Jubilee year of foundation.

With blessings and prayer for us all that  the  Summer may be for us a season of re-creation and renewal,

         Yours in Christ and SPNB,

                                                     Fr. Martin      pax 

Dear Oblates--This is the link given us by Fr. Ambrose for the new Kristo Buase Monastery Website----30th June 2014

Dear Fathers, Brothers and Sisters,Greetings from Kristo Buase!We have just launched a new website: www.kristobuasemonastery.orgIt takes time for these things to be picked up by Google and other search engines so I would be grateful if you could help us publicise the site by encouraging friends and oblates to visit it and perhaps even adding a link to your own website. We get one point for every individual who visits, and five points for every Facebook “Like”. In all we need 700 points to get the site up in the listings of the search engines.We will be using the website as a platform for a fund-raising appeal for our Silver Jubilee of foundation. Our aim is to build a church and guesthouse – these were part of the original sketch plans drawn up in 1987 but never implemented because of a tight budget. We are still worshipping in a chapel which seats only 15 people and need to recover the existing guest rooms for an expanding novitiate.All good wishes,Fraternally,Fr Ambrose Flavell, OSBSuperior,Kristo Buase Monastery,P.O. Box TM-291,TECHIMAN, B/AGhanaWest Africakb@africaonline.com.gh

Oblate Letter 21 Lent 2014

                          “Nothing Dearer than Christ”

Oblate letter of the Pluscarden Benedictines, Elgin, Moray,  IV30 8UA.
                                                   Scotland.
 Ph. (01343) 890257 fax 890258

Website www.pluscardenabbey.org   DMB series No 21

Lent--2014

Monastic Voice of the Carthusians "The Prayer of Love and Silence" by a Carthusian, translated from the French by a monk of Parkminster:

"Obedience and patience, we must remember, are not ends in themselves. 'Art for art's sake' is nonsense, since nothing created can be its own end. It is the same with virtue. .Virtue for virtue's sake' as an ideal is meaningless and discouraging, because it can never be realized. Anyone leaving the world for the paltry pleasure of thinking himself perfect, or who accepts the world's challenge from a sense of spiritual pride or to increase his self-esteem, is simply ending up where he began with himself! When Our Lord asks us to empty our hearts, it is because he wants to fill them with His own love. And it is only when He does fill our hearts that the work of our purification has achieved its object. In the same way, the divine life can only take possession of us when we have done all we can, on our part, to become detached from created things. Death to self and life in God are inseparably linked: the one without the other remains sterile.

                Listen to Our Lord's promises to those who keep his word: promises that he longs with divine impatience to realize in us. He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him; and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. In that day, you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ...And I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Paraclete, that he may abide with you forever.....the Spirit of Truth. He shall abide with you, and shall be in you."

From  The  Oblatemaster’s  Desk

                My apologies--this letter shall be a little shorter and is a little later than the first of last year. My brother-in-law Alan died on the feast of the Epiphany and my brother, Timothy had a heart attack in February ( he is recovering well). Our fragility is a good preparation for Lent " Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return" ( Ash Wednesday liturgy)

                "When  our Lord asks us to empty our hearts, it is because he wants to fill them with His own love." When we are tardy in making a shift towards this our Lord, to help us, steps in by His providential ways. Divine Providence in tandem with the Liturgy empties, shapes and fills our hearts when we embrace it all in faith. Our Lord Jesus is always  about His Father's business which is making us ready for His company and that of the Communion of saints now and in eternity--- not without our willing coӧperation.".... and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. In that day, you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."

Prayer Intentions Br Joseph Solemn profession 25 March   For Abbot Anselm's and Bishop Hugh's intentions. For vocations at Pluscarden, St Mary's,  Petersham and Kristo Buase.   Br. Adrian and Br. Finbar, health. Br Gabriel’s mother and Fr. Dunstan’s parents, failing .The repose of the souls of Mary Buist and Fr. Martin's brother-in-law, Alan Willis and  for his widow Annie. Please pray for sick Oblates especially for Sarah Drever’s husband Leslie. Brigitte Mackay, Mrs Maggie Barrett and Fr. Martin's brother Timothy( oblate) recovering from heart surgery, Paul Miller 90's and hernia, Margaret Rawcliffe, for Ursula Humphrey(who broke her wrist at Pluscarden preparing for the Lenten retreat!), Mrs. Gertrude Corker’s two daughters, for Bob Barr, Brian Milne, , Gail Schmitz and her son Julian, Maurice Dufficy, Mary Bradley, Graham Dunbar, Pauline Reid, Beth Fraser and her husband Chris, Marie Claire Hérnandez paralysed after a stroke in Spain her home, Bob Clark(poorly but gamely coming to the rerteat!)), Nick Macrae’s son, Martin Macrae, and wife Sharon, kidney transplants, Dr. David Paterson and his wife Angela, Jacqui’s daughter Sally, Poppy Sinclair, Ian Brodie and his twin brother, Carolyn Boardman and son Malcolm, Martin Farrelly recovering from very major surgery and just lost his dog Murdo, David Braine, philosopher, Susan Stephen, Violet, Sheila and all friends of the Abbey and for all oblates, friends and all the sick, and those who care for them.  

BOOKS Conscience in Context by Fr. Stuart Chalmers, VG of Aberdeen Diocese and oblate of Pluscarden Abbey ISBN 978-3-0343-0995-0 pb.  (Softcover) £55.00 ( or through your library!)"In this book, the author presents a detailed study of the notion of conscience from the perspective of its historical development and existential environment. The purpose of the study is to highlight conscience’s dignity and fallibility, as well as its dependence upon the context of virtue and grace, in order to develop as our capacity to perceive the truth in moral action"

"There is nothing facile here. There is no replacement of the old authoritarianism with a subtly disguised newer model. Rather Fr Chalmers takes us beyond the paralysing dualism of inner light and external authority. He makes a quietly unpolemical but crucial contribution to that authentic renewal of moral theology called for by Vatican II and Bl. John Paul

II. Both theoretically (this is based on a doctoral thesis) and practically (he is a parish priest), he shows a way by which, like St Thomas More, we can indeed, humbly under the mercy of God, “discharge our conscience”. I hope this book will be appreciated for the light it brings.

                                                + Hugh Gilbert O.S.B., Bishop of Aberdeen

"INTERMONASTIC EXCHANGE PRINKNASH/PLUSCARDEN"  Venue--PRINKNASH ABBEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND

12 – 14th JULY 2014-- £65--Don't miss your Chance-- write at once or email Fr. martin at Pluscarden for a booking form and the full programme ( or see in Oblate Letter 19 available through Pluscarden website Oblate blog)-- PAMELA IS VERY HOPEFUL OF YOUR RESPONSE.

St Mungo’s Chapter Glasgow. As announced. Peter Aitken 11, Maxwell Grove, Glasgow. G41 5JP.  Phone:0141 4272084. Numbers have been steadily increasing.

St Margaret’s Chapter Dunfermline..Pat Carrigan         smcb_oblates@live.co.uk

St. Monica’s Chapter, Thurso. Contact Jane Coll. "Scaraben”, Westside, Dunnet, Thurso, Caithness, KY14 8YD. Phone 01847 851467 

ST.PETER'S CHAPTER OF OBLATES Aberdeen WILL BE STARTING AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH IN ST.PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH ROOM AT 5PM IF YOU KNOW OF ANY OBLATES CAN YOU PASS ON THIS INFORMATION THANK YOU!!         Mr Brian MilneTel 01224 485781 stpetersbulletin1803@talktalk.net

Ugandan Seminarian update.The young man, Dominic, who was in the Minor Seminary and who the Oblates sponsored for the the last two years, failed to meet the standard, and was asked to leave the Seminary in December 2013.

The second young man, Josaphat, had been through Minor Seminary, and was supported by the Oblates in 2013 to complete his Higher Education. Success would have allowed him entry into the Major Seminary. We have not received any information on how successful he was in his exams and as such our sponsorship has come to an end.

I fear we may have lost both our Seminarians. Yours in Christ, Paul

The Third World Congress of Benedictine Oblates October 2013, report from Rome by our oblates Martin Gardner and Jim Bradley.

During the first week of October Jim and I found ourselves on a flight to Rome to attend the World Congress of lay Benedictine oblates.  We arrived, not without some little adventure, at the Salesianum, our accommodation for the week, in time for Vespers.  There were 13 delegates from Benedictine Abbeys around the U.K. and 160 fellow oblates from around the world including Korean, Brazilian, Australian and Nigerian, to name just a few, mostly Catholic but also brother Benedictines from Anglican communities.

The Theme of this Congress was “Obsculta” – the Oblate listening in the world.  This is the first word of the Rule, meaning listen (and obey), which reminds us that from the very beginning the Rule puts into place the dynamic of listening and obedience.

Listening there was aplenty during the week including keynote speeches from Sr. Mary John Mananzan O.S.B., who reminded us of Pope Francis’ call to alleviate poverty in the world, Abbot Primate Wolf OSB and Fr. Michael Casey OCist whose address was, for me, the highlight of the week.  One of his memorable remarks concerned Faith.  “Faith comes from hearing, from receiving the Word.  This fundamental gift of grace passes through five stages before it becomes complete - experience, enlightenment, assent, practice and perseverance.”  He also spoke wonderfully on Lectio Divina.   Some Oblates were unaware of Lectio Divina so an additional workshop was hastily organised.  Who among we oblates carry out this as a norm in our daily lives?  

Should you wish to read Fr Michael’s speech in full please use the following link http://www.benedictine-oblates.org/2013/txt/txt-03-en.pdf  I promise you will be very glad you did.

From first light until usually 10 pm each day we explored a number of topics in breakout workshops which included that of Kenosis – emptying ourselves so we may be truly able to Listen.  Lauds, Mass, Vespers and Compline were sung in the Church’s universal language of Latin which was a boon in such a diverse lingual gathering.

It was not all lectures, workshops and study, very profitable though they most certainly were.  Trips were organised to Subiaco, Sant’Anselmo, Saint Peter’s for the Sunday Angelus, and Monte Cassino.  We were privileged to be given true Benedictine hospitality from the Abbot Primate Fr Wolf OSB who treated us not only to supper at Sant’Anselmo but also to a musical evening at Sant’Anselmo.  

The most evocative image I retain from our trips was seeing one of our American spiritual directors, Fr Paschal Morlino OSB, kneeling at the foot of the statue of St Benedict in the grotto of Subiaco.  His visage filled with humble piety, love, devotion and prayer to our Holy Father St Benedict was a sight I shall not forget.

In his closing remarks the Abbot Primate indicated that there will indeed by a 4th World Congress.  I would encourage you to put yourself forward without any hesitation.  Only one word of caution – do not fly Alitalia; our journey home was even more adventurous than our outward journey.  They too should perhaps “Listen”.

Oblate Lenten Retreat Programme starting Friday, 7th March -arrivals for Vespers; Saturday--10.30 am 1st retreat talk Abbot Anselm, Saturday afternoon 2.30-4.00 confession/talk with priest St Benedict's, ground floor and confessional box in the Church; Sunday homily at 10.00 am Mass Abbot Anselm, 2.00 pm-4.00 pm silent  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 7.00 pm 2nd retreat talk Abbot Anselm; Monday, 10th March final Mass at 9.00 am and renewal of oblation, departures following. In general we follow the timetable of the Divine Office and Holy Mass for the weekend apart from the additional items specified-- if commuting in  then please bring your own flasks and sandwiches!( It is Lent!!)

Blessings on your Lenten Preparation      Fr. Martin PAX