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
July 2026
St. Benedict's Feast Day on Sunday, July 12
The Monks and the Oblates of Glastonbury Abbey teamed up to support the entire Abbey community in celebrating the Feast of Saint Benedict. Mass was held outdoors on the Great Lawn, with Abbott Thomas presiding. He preached on the parables of Jesus, sharing a parable of how the Naked Truth walked around town shocking the villagers. It was not until Story came along, and they wedded, that people could hear and digest reality.
The monks and oblates led a procession to the Abbey Center where the celebration continued. There was plenty of food and "home movies," narrated by Father Nick, which included footage going back to the founding of the Abbey. Father Tim introduced us to the Benedictine Jubilee, which begins this year and continues through 2029. He invited us to enter the rhythm of each year's theme: Awaken, Listen, Grow, and Flourish.
We celebrated Abbott Thomas' birthday with a cake, and Carolyn Carpenter led us in a rousing game of Monastic Trivia. This was followed by an exploration of the Abbey's impact on our lives and sharing at our tables. The day ended with ice cream from Nona's. In all, our celebration was spiritually, relationally, and gastronomically inspiring.
Upcoming Events
Oblates Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, September 8, at Glastonbury Abbey.
Oblate Observers & Novices Formation Class – the next gathering of the Formation Class will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Observers and Novices will join the Monks and Oblates for Compline in the Abbey Church at 7:15 PM and then proceed directly to Benet Hall for our first class session for the 2026-2027 year. The Formation Class 2026-2027 Calendar with dates and topics will be forthcoming. Anyone with interest in Oblate formation, please feel free to contact Fr. Albrecht Nyce (Oblate Director) at oblates@glastonburyabbey.org and information will be sent regarding this year’s program by one of the Oblate Representatives for the class. Pax.
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.