In September 2005, Norvene Vest was a speaker at the first Oblates World Congress held in Rome, by invitation of the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Congregations, and through the hospitality of the Italian oblates. Oblates are lay women and men who affiliate with Benedictine monasteries, living their lives in the world as before, while committing themselves to the spiritual disciplines and rhythms of Benedictine life, insofar as their state in life permits.  In the last decade, the number of oblates worldwide has grown significantly, so that today oblates outnumber traditional monks and nuns.

Over 350 delegates attended the Congress from throughout the world, and presentations were translated into five languages throughout the six-day Congress. Each day included worship shaped by one of the nationalities present, with varied languages winding through the familiar Benedictine forms of Lauds, Vespers, and Mass.  Norvene was the fourth speaker in six presentations and the only North American, and the only Protestant. Doug attended as a delegate and both of them absorbed many impressions which will arise in our reflection for some time.

Norvene’s topic was “Communion in the Workplace” and she suggested that the astonishing recent worldwide growth in numbers of oblates demonstrates both a hunger for deeper spiritual practice and a thirst to understand more clearly what is going on in our bewilderingly complex world and to find meaningful ways to respond. She urged a more serious practice of Benedictine “conversatio,” or ongoing conversion of heart, which enables flexibility in chaos while remaining prayerfully heart-connected to the living God.  Oblates are like the seeds planted by Johnny Appleseed or more recently by Kenyan congresswoman Maathai.  Oblates are planted by God where the world’s important decisions are being made, to bring healing and vitality in just those places.

In his concluding remarks, Abbot Notker Wolf noted that the Congress was an encounter, a time to become aware that we, as oblates, are a large reality – a movement. But, as is the case with Benedictine monastics, this is not a movement of power, not a big organization or a big show. Remaining a spiritual movement helps us remain flexible and creative in challenging times.