Emmaus Community of
St Benedict, Edinburgh
How to Join Us
In this section
‘What, dearest ones, can be sweeter to us than this voice of God inviting us? See, in loving kindness, God shows us the way of life.’
— Rule of St Benedict, Prologue
How to Join Us
Anyone who is seeking God, and who senses that the community life of the ECSB may be a way for them to continue that search, is warmly welcome to join us.
Inquirers are invited to speak first with the Prior of the Community. Click here for contact details. At the invitation of the Prior, inquirers are welcome to join us as observers in either our Thursday or Saturday prayers. If there is community business to be done, then we would not expect inquirers to stay.
We suggest that a three-month period is about the right length of time for inquirers to decide whether or not ECSB fits their needs. After this initial three-month period, the Community members are consulted. If there is agreement then an inquirer is encouraged to join in most of the other activities of the Community (including lunches and retreats) for around 12 more months, giving everyone enough time to discern the right way forward for the inquirer and the community.
New members are formally (and joyfully!) admitted to full community life at a Eucharistic Service of Oblation where the whole Community is present. (A copy of the promises and vows made at this Service is below). At this annual service, each Community member is invited to make a renewal of their vows – of prayer and commitment to the well-being of the Community’s life.
Promises & Vows
​Order of Service for Act of Oblation and Renewal of Oblation for Members of the Emmaus Community of Saint Benedict
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Invocation of the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
O God, you have taught the hearts of your faithful by the light of your Holy Spirit; grant us by the same Spirit to know what is right, and always to rejoice in His consolation.
Raise up, O Lord, in your Church, the Spirit which animated our holy Father Benedict, so that, filled with that same Spirit, we may strive to love what he loved, and to practice what he taught. This we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Questioning and Admonition (to candidate)
N., do you wish to become a member of the Emmaus Community of St Benedict? I do.
Are you ready and willing to be guided by the teachings of our holy Father Benedict. I am.
Do you dedicate yourself to the service of God and humanity according to the Rule of Saint Benedict? I do.
Will you strive to be faithful and persevere in your holy resolution? With the help of God's grace, I will.
And do you, the brothers and sisters of the community, dedicate yourselves anew to the covenant you have made, and to welcome and support N. in the life you share in Christ. We do.
N., welcome into the spiritual communion of the Emmaus Community of St Benedict. God bless, confirm and strengthen you in your faith and reward you, according to His promises, with the vision of His glory for all eternity. Amen.
Do you, the brothers and sisters of the community, dedicate yourselves anew to the covenant you have made, ready and willing to be guided by the teachings of our Holy Father Benedict. We do.
Do you dedicate yourselves to the service of God and humanity according to the Rule of Saint Benedict? We do.
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Will you strive to be faithful and persevere in your holy resolution? With the help of God's grace, we will.
Brothers and sisters, God bless + confirm and strengthen you in the spiritual communion of the Emmaus Community of St Benedict and reward you, according to His promises, with the vision of His glory for all eternity. Amen.
Act of Oblation/Renewal
Each one goes to the altar and lays their rule upon it, and then says: Uphold me, Lord, according to your Word and I shall live: Let not my hope be put to shame.
Concluding Prayer
O God, you blessed your holy confessor Benedict with the spirit of all the just. Grant that these your children may be filled with the same spirit and, with the help of your grace, may faithfully carry out what they have promised. This we ask, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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