Camaldolese Oblates
The Christian monastic tradition can be traced back at least to the 3rd century,
and there have been Oblates connected with monastic communities, in various ways,
practically from the beginning. Camaldolese Benedictine Oblates continue in this
great tradition. Our Oblates are lay persons or members of other orders or diocesan
clergy who seek to live a life in harmony with God through the Camaldolese Oblate Rule,
striving to incorporate its values and spirituality into their lives.
Over 500 men and women from all over the world have become Camaldolese Oblates.
They regularly return to the New Camaldoli Hermitage and/or to Incarnation Monastery
for spiritual retreat, as well as attending, when possible, retreats conducted in
northern and southern California for active oblate groups.
An 11th century Pope affirmed:
The Oblate's profession deserves nothing but praise, and it is worthy to endure,
being as it is a reproduction of the primitive state of the Church. We therefore approve
of it and confirm it and style it a Holy and Catholic institution.
(Bull of Urban II, addressed to the Abbot of Hirschau)
For more information about the Camaldolese Oblates,
please contact:
Fr. Fr. Andrew Colnaghi or
Fr. Robert Hale
Fr. Fr. Andrew Colnaghi
Incarnation Monastery - 1369 La Loma Ave.Berkeley, CA 94708
(510) 548-0965 - facolnaghi@aol.com
Fr. Robert Hale
New Camaldoli Hermitage - 62475 Coast HWY
1 at Lucia, Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2456 - chermitage@aol.com
Click here to see the hermitage:
New Camadoli
Our Brother Emmaus O'Herlihy has recently completed four large canvases which now hang in our refectory.
They represent the Camaldolese "threefold good" spirituality. The canvas second from the left depicts St. Romuald,
in weeping for joy in ecstasy (as related in his Life by St. Peter Damian). His charism draws the brethren:
the canvas to the immediate right of the Romuald canvas, with the two monks and Scripture represents the first good
of community life, bonded by the Word of God. The canvas to the immediate left of Romuald, with the monk alone
praying the Jesus Rosary, represents the good of solitude in the Lord. And the monks in the canvas of the far
right represent the good of mission, the two monks prepared to head out in different directions to witness the Gospel,
even to death if necessary. Each Camaldolese--monk and Oblate, seeks to live this threefold good.
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