This morning I met with the Sr’s Miriam and Judith of Turvey Abbey. Simon took me so I didn’t have to worry about directions and parking etc. The Abbey is absolutely gorgeous as you can see from the photograph which doesn’t actually do either it nor it’s lovely grounds justice. I was very nervous which was silly really as I had no pre-conceived ideas of what to expect but knew that it would be a very ‘gentle’ meeting which is exactly what it was. I told them my ‘story’ and they listened and were just lovely, very understanding of my ‘calling’. I always thought my desire for a religious, vocational life was very unusual among secular men and women living out a regular family life. Apparently not, as the Sr’s assured me that many of the 70 ish oblates at Turvey Abbey come from a similar ‘place’ emotionally. The relief was huge as I actually thought I was a bit weird, either that or I was totally misunderstanding what God was asking of me. The Sr’s also told me that they would put me in contact with existing oblates which I’m really looking forward to. They told me about the process of becoming an oblate, about the weekends coming up next year devoted to that cause and how to move forward in my discernment. It’s not an overnight process which is no surprise as I don’t think this is something that should be taken on lightly or suddenly; not unlike taking religious vows on entering a community – it all takes time and for very good reason. I thought I’d be really excited but in essence I’m actually just very, very calm; full of peace as I know that this is the part of the puzzle that has been missing for such a long time.
After we’d finished talking I spent some time alone in their huge library [it has a vaulted ceiling – wow] as I’d decided to stay for Mass but had an hour or so to kill before it started. It was a lovely room and for those of you who know me well you’ll know that an hour in a room full of thousands of religious books is just my idea of heaven on earth. I’m amazed they managed to shoe horn me out of there. Mass was at 11.50am and it was lovely to hear the nun’s chanting, the monks were also present at the Mass. The one thing that isn’t immediately apparent is that it’s not just a monastry for nun’s [Priory of Our Lady of Peace] there are monks in residence as well [Monastery of Christ Our Saviour] and and, once an oblate, I’ll be an oblate of both communities.
Finally here are a couple of pictures of the chapel one taken in Ordinary Time as it looked today…
…………and another taken at Christmas – so beautiful!!!!
all photo's courtesy of Turvey Abbey
Autumn and Katheryn – I was thinking of you both – with love……
Pax
Hi Sharon :0)
This is Allie from M35+ here
Just had a quick look at your blog ~ so interesting!
Had to comment on the pics of the lovely chapel you visited, what a serene & beautiful place.
I am going on a Retreat next Thurs for 5 days at Lindisfarne, a friend interested me in going as she has been before & we will be going in a small group.
Hoping it will be a significant time …
Allie xxx
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Allie
Thank you so much for your comment and yes, the chapel is lovely isn’t it?? It was an amazing time and hopefully the first of very many visits there.
Lindisfarne sounds like it’s going to be quite an exciting time, how lovely, I bet you’re really looking forward to it. I truly hope you find all you’re looking for there and more besides. Let me know how it goes, I’ll be praying for you Thursday and through the five days.
Keep in touch – and do visit again xx.
Pax
Sharon xx
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Hi Sharon, came across your blog yesterday, which was pretty serendipitous, as I’m shortly to become an oblate at Turvey. See my post on the subject today: http://www.anchormast.com/2008/09/29/what-is-a-benedictine-oblate/
If you’d like to exchange thoughts on this I’d be happy to do so – you can reach me at **** dot sitea**** ‘at’ gmail.com (substituting relevant symbols for words, obviously).
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Dear Tess
How spooky [a purely catholic term you understand ;o)] is that?? The Sr’s gave me the name of your blog on Saturday and I had a really quick peep at it last night and then voila – here you are this morning!! A ‘God’incidence if ever there was one.
I shall have a better look at your blog later as I’m home schooling my little boy right now but thank you so much for contacting me and yes, an exchange of thoughts would be very useful and quite interesting I would imagine.
I like the idea you’ve had of explaining exactly what an Oblate is on your blog and I fear I shall have to copy you and do something similar on here as I’m sure it’s not common knowledge. I, for one, knew nothing about Oblates up until a few weeks ago so good idea methinks!!
I’ll be leaving comments [lol] and I’ll add you to my Blog Links if that’s okay??
every blessing
Sharon xx
ps I edited your email in case you didn’t want every man and his dog emailing you. x
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Oh, I am so glad you had such a lovely time ~ it looks beautiful! I thought about you this weekend whilst on retreat at “my” Benedictine Convent!
And great to meet you too, Tess. I am also an Oblate and will check out your blog… 🙂
AR xxx
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Hope you have a lovely day today…missing you in the Rose Garden!
AR xxx 🙂
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Sounds lovely Sharon. Was praying for you on Saturday as well as AR on her retreat. What a beautiful chapel! hmmmm…. think it must be about time for me to organise a retreat for myself as well!
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AR and Scotty – thank you both for your thoughts and prayers. Always appreciated and often returned.
Scotty – go on, book a retreat, you know you want to lol xx!!!
AR – life is a little manic right now, such a busy weekend and am only getting short moments during the day on the PC so have to wait until the evenings for my ‘turn’. Last night was my Catholic Course so will be back on RG this evening hopefully. Have missed it also. Really glad your retreat was positive and productive, you were in my prayers and thoughts.
Pax
S xx
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Looking forward to it! 🙂
Praying for you in your day today xx
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