Who we are

In the spring of 2003 Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, O.S.B., asked the National Directive Council of Italian Benedictine Oblates to organize, in Rome, the First World Congress of Benedictine Oblates.

Under the direction of the Abbot Primate, and in close collaboration with the National Directive Council, a Steering Committee was formed, coordinated by Father Luigi Bertocchi, O.S.B., of Saint John’s Abbey (Minnesota, U.S.A.) and composed of the following members:
M. Giovanna Valenziano, O.S.B., abbess of the Monastero di Santa Cecila (Rome, Italy); Caterina Feliziani and Franco Primola, oblates of the Monastero di Santa Scolastica (Civitella San Paolo, Rome, Italy); and Giorgio Marte, oblate of the Badia Primaziale di Sant’Anselmo (Rome, Italy).

As a result of our best efforts, and thanks to the outstanding help of the many oblates from various nations whose assistance we had requested, the First World Congress of Benedictine Oblates took place in Rome at the “Salesianum”, 19-25 September 2005.

The Congress stimulated a high degree of interest and, by its end, the Abbot Primate had communicated to all involved his intention of holding a Second World Congress, once mort in Rome, entrusting the preparation of the new event to the same group of collaborators.

Currently the Steering Committee is a small nucleus representing the religious world and the lay universe that work together to claim as their own the Benedictine maxim, “Ora et labora”. This is a great honor for us, so you will find us busy at work, once again asking your utmost collaboration.

Official web site of the Organizing Committee of the Benedictine Oblates’ World Congress