The national congress of Italian Benedictine Oblates met at the Primatial Abbey of Sant’Anselmo in Rome from 29 to 31 August 2025, marking the twentieth such gathering. Participants spent three days together in prayer with the monastic community, attending lectures on the meaning of oblation today, and carrying out the election of a new Consiglio Direttivo Nazionale (CDN).

The overarching theme, “Being oblates in Italy in the third millennium”, framed the series of contributions. Writer and oblate Danilo Mauro Castiglione opened the congress with an address on “Oblation and its path in post-Christian society”, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for oblates in secular culture. Historian Father Mattia Tomasoni, associated with the Pontifical Gregorian University, followed with “A reading of contemporary changes”, situating the vocation within today’s shifting social and cultural landscape.

Further interventions brought biblical and spiritual depth. Father Antonino Lamanna, rector of the archdiocesan seminary in Catania and a specialist in Scripture, spoke on “Crossing the desert”, evoking biblical imagery of journey and purification. Sister Cecilia Maria La Mela OSB offered the final reflection, “Sentinel, how much longer until the morning? Towards a spirituality for oblates today”, drawing on her contemplative perspective as a Benedictine nun.

The congress was punctuated by the daily offices and Eucharist with the monks of Sant’Anselmo, meals in the refectory and moments of fraternity. A central moment came with the election and formal presentation of the new CDN, underscoring the continuing growth and shared responsibility of the oblate movement within the Benedictine tradition in Italy.