Oblate News
2025–2026 Theme: Stability
Each year the Oblates devote themselves to deeper study of a central Benedictine promise. This year’s focus is Stability— the commitment to remain faithful to God, to one another, and to the particular places where we are called to live and serve.
Through reading, prayer, and discussion, the community reflects on how stability shapes daily life.
Oblate Occurrences
March 2026
March 15: Oblate Brunch
The oblates met on Sunday, March 15, following Mass. The program included brunch and a presentation by David M. Frye entitled “Consider the Birds…Maintaining Stability in Turbulent Times.” David discussed how birds adjust and shift to maintain a balance as winds blow and that we, as oblates, also need to “adjust and shift” to maintain our balance in turbulent times. At all times staying anchored to God, “who is our rock, our foundation, our firm footing in a chaotic world.”
January 2026
January 6: Oblate Meeting
Concluding study of Oates' book with small-group discussion on Chapter 5, Stability and Change and the paradox of our culture both wanting but also rejecting true stability, in what Oates calls, "movement-addicted spiritual subcultures." Benedictine stability means "staying put" in a life-long commitment to one place, one group of people-but it is not passive. In the case of the Algerian Trappists in Tibhirine during the Algerian Civil War, they prayerfully discerned and took the "action" of "staying put" in their monastery among the local Muslim community they served, rather than fleeing to save their lives. An example of how, through stability, we can heal the wounded and restore the broken. Oates maintains that the work of restoration is "birthed from a different source than the busy, shallow movement all around us." Oblates shared how regular habits of praying Compline, practice of lectio divina and a deeper understanding of humility in the Benedictine Rule, can be grounding and life-changing-in family and work situations.
Oblates will continue their exploration of the practice of Stability in their remaining meetings and in events open to the greater Glastonbury community.
Upcoming Events
Oblates are encouraged to attend the Abbey's Lenten Suppers, Tuesday evenings during Lent. A simple supper followed by a reflection. No registration required.
3 March - Psalms with Fr Timothy Joyce, OSB
10 March - Prophets with Jude Anyanwu from Boston College
17 March- Symbolism with Fr Nicholas Morcone, OSB
24 March - Creation with Fr Albrecht Nyce, OSB
31 March - special Lenten Supper with brief Penitential service and opportunity for Sacramental Confession.
The next Oblates monthly meeting is Tuesday, April 7.
Oblates' annual retreat weekend April 17-19, 2026, at Glastonbury Abbey. To register, please contact Denise in the retreat office 781-749-2155 ext. 300
With gratitude and prayer,
The Oblate Steering Committee: Jon Regan, Louise Deutsch, Carolyn Carpenter, Barbara Mirabito, Carol Stanton and Fr. Albrecht Nyce, OSB, Oblate Director.