Lay associates

Personal Accounts of the Oblate day Tuesday 20th April

Having recently completed a programme of formation under the guidance of the one the Sisters, I made my first commitment as an Oblate at Midday Office on April 20th 2010. It was a joyous and very special day, with Community, Oblates and other dear friends gathered to support me. The prayers of those unable to be there were greatly appreciated and I felt very blessed and very loved. It is wonderful to have made a start.

Seeking God in silence and prayer has become central to my daily life. During a quiet time each day I try to fulfil my commitment to Lectio Divina, and reading the morning and evening Divine Office provides a very important spiritual link with the Community. Stewardship - living as simply as possible - reminds me of the responsibility we all have to care for our planet and of the far too many millions of people who live in dreadful poverty.

I have, of course, had to adapt my practice of these things to fit my own particular circumstances. They are a daily challenge and I would be less than truthful if I did not admit that there are times when I fail. But succeeding brings specials joys and knowing that I always have the support and prayer of the Hyning Community, of the other Oblates, and those in formation, is a very great blessing.

I would like to thank everyone who made April 20th such a lovely day.

(Frances Dawbarn)

This was the fourth meeting of our Oblate group. The day started with Mass, followed by a cup (or two) of coffee, after which some of us chose to chat whilst others took advantage of Hyning's peace and tranquility for personal reflection.

The morning continued with a talk on the 'The Cistercian Fathers'. To the uninitiated like myself at first glance this promised to be at least 'dry' and at the worst, boring! How wrong and ignorant I was! Sr. Colette's love and enthusiasm for the subject and obvious joy to share it was infectious - so much that I asked for more! (Actually I thought if she could make 'The Fathers' interesting, what would she do with the 'The Mothers)!

The morning ended with Midday Office. This Office was made even more special when Frances made her first Oblate promise. The ceremony was simple, meaningful and moving. I felt priviliged to be there. The other wonderful aspect of the ceremony was that it affirmed that being a Bernardine Cistercian oblate was right for me too.

After a delicious lunch (all the better for not having had to prepare it) we gathered in the lounge with Sr. Josephine Mary and other sisters. This was a time for reflection and discussion. Together we decided to set up a lending library to help us on our oblate journey, sharing books that indivduals have found helpful. The community generously invited us to join in the 'Aelred session' and to join them on a visit to Rievaulx Abbey in the Summer.

All the discussion was a 'thirst making' business so the cup of tea and cake with the community afterwards was very welcome!

The Office of Vespers completed our day.

I can't wait for the next time I will meet with my Oblate family again. Thank you Sr. Josephine Mary and community for providing not just this wonderful day but the opportunity to make the Bernardine Cistercian journey.

(written by Maureen Calnan)

As a first timer at a Hyning Oblate meeting, I felt very welcome and part of what seemed to me to be an 'ageless' group of very different individuals but all sharing the same desire to somehow link their spiritual lives with the Bernardine Cistercians giving and receiving mutual support. I enjoyed the balance between food, silence, prayer, listening, chat and business and felt very priviliged to hsare in the ceremony of a First Promise.

(written by Nicky Roberts)

A DAY WITH THE OBLATES AT HYNING MONASTERY 

On the 20th of April, Nicola Roberts and I (as prospective Oblates), were invited to attend a day of prayer, contemplation, discussion and friendship with those already promised Oblates and the Sisters at Hyning.

After Mass, followed by coffee we attended a most interesting and informative talk by Sister Mary Colette on the Cistercian Fathers and their Abbeys situated around England and Europe.  The inclusion of their historical dates and position in history, with details of the most well known ones and their writings opened up a huge realm for further study.  Short excerpts from two recent studies – “Wilderness and Paradise” showed just how varied and widespread is the background to the Monastic Life as it developed from the contemplative lives of the Desert Fathers, with both Greek and Gnostic links.  I found it fascinating.

  Mid-day prayers and a delicious lunch were followed by a discussion – led by Sister Josephine Mary – on the steps to be taken in the coming year by the Oblate group in their work with and alongside the routines and aims of the Monastery at Hyning. Being not ‘in’ but ‘of’ the life of Hyning as far as dedicated laypeople are able, they volunteer their time and energies and undoubted enthusiasm in supporting the Community. In return, they receive so much spiritual guidance and inspiration, peace and renewal in the tranquil surroundings of this beautiful place, and are better able to act as a bridge between the contemplative life and the ‘frantic’ world.

It was an uplifting day; and thought provoking.  The tranquil Office of Vespers brought our visit to Hyning to a close, and we left feeling very ‘close’ to our old friends and delighted by the new contacts and friendships we had found during the day.

Virginia Clucas