News & Updates
A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: The 2026 Oblate Institute
By Oblate Judith Valente
“To be at peace in my own heart”
“To keep cultivating a spirit of hospitality”
“To be a bridge over troubled waters for others”
These were some of the intentions that oblates from across the country said they are taking away from the 2026 Oblate Institute, held at the Mount July 9-12, 2026.
This year’s Institute drew 35 participants in person to Sophia Spirituality Center and another 27 who joined via Zoom. They represented monasteries stretching from Massachusetts to South Dakota, Illinois to New Mexico. Coming from a variety of faith traditions, they reflected the continuing ecumenical reach and appeal of the Rule of St. Benedict.
The Institute’s overall theme of “Yearning for Life: Living The Rule of St. Benedict in Troubled Times” sparked lively discussion as our country faces a myriad of crises. Each of the four sessions touched on some aspect of the Rule relevant to these challenging times.
• “A Bridge Over Troubled Waters” examined the Rule as a text of hope that has allowed Benedictines to serve as a bridge between many eras in history and to respond to the next great need.
Oblates presented Sister Thomasita Homan with a book of her poems, Scribbling in the Air, to thank her for her years of service as an oblate director at the Mount. L-R: Oblate Director Faye Miller, Sister Thomasita, and Oblate Judith Valente.
• “To Be A Saint” drew on the many chapters in the Rule relating to prayer, while weaving in the wisdom of other writers as well as the prayer practices of Catholic Worker co-founder Dorothy Day and the great Catholic peace activist Eileen Egan, sister of the Mount’s own Sister Kathleen Egan. Day was also a Benedictine oblate.
• “Let Peace Be Your Aim” delved into the chapters in The Rule that relate to relationship repair and explored how each of us can become “islands of peace.”
• “The Care of Souls” explored how each oblate today is called to be a leader, rather than a follower, a giver rather than consumer of Benedictine spirituality. We examined what it means to be a “servant leader” and challenged ourselves to see how each of us can be “the Benedict that today’s world needs.”
At the closing, all vowed to become “walking billboards” for the Benedictine values of listening, hospitality, humility, community, prayer and work and to share more frequently with their family members and friends about their Benedictine life. May the energy generated at this year’s Institute continue to carry us into the future.
