Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - From 19 to 25 September at the suggestion of Benedictine Abbot Primate Notker Wolf the 1st World Congress of Benedictine Oblates will be held in Rome. Oblates are affiliated with one of the world’s 1,196 Benedictine monasteries. About 300 participants representing 24,000 oblates mainly in Europe and the United States but also in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australia will attend the Conference at the Salesianum Centre, Via della Pisana, Rome. In the invitation Abbot Primate Wolf writes: “the idea came to me after I realised the high and growing number of Oblates all over the world. I thought it might be interesting to come together to converse and learn from each other.”
The Abbot Primate hopes the conference will be an opportunity to walk again a path of discovery and for a universal proposal of Christian values in continuity with the search which characterised the life of Saint Benedict. The conference with the theme “Communion with God - Communion with the world”, will focus on the many different expressions of the Benedictine charisma. Faithful to the motto “Ora et labora”, the seven days of the Conference will include moments of prayer (Morning Prayer, Mass and Vespers) conferences and group discussion. Other interesting inititives include a concert by Abbot Primate Notker Wolf (tranverse flute) and St Celina Galinyte from Lithuania (violin); a pilgrimage to Montecassino, the cradle of Benedictine Monasticism; a visit to Castel Gandolfo to meet the Pope. In 1964 Saint Benedict was proclaimed Patron of Europe by Paul VI . The name assumed by Cardinal Ratzinger of Pope Benedict XVI is a sign of immense value for Europe and the world. In fact the Benedictine message recalls the unquestionable Christian roots of the continent of Europe.
Liturgies during the Conference will be presided by various personalities: Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples; Archbishop Piero Marini Master of Liturigical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff and Oblate of the Abbey of S. Giorgio, Venice; Archbishop Franc Rodé Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity; Abbot Bernardo D’Onorio, O.S.B. of Montecassino.
Benedictine Oblates are men and women of all faiths associated with a particular Benedictine monastery.They become Oblates to enhance their spiritual lives through structured prayer and the application of Benedictine charisms/values. They seek to live lives in harmony with the spirit of St. Benedict as revealed in the Rule of St. Benedict and its contemporary expression. They come from all walks of life: professionals, business men/women and housewives. They represent the varied age groups from college students to the retired. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/9/2005 - Righe 29; Parole 419)
