Father Nicholas Benedict.
Father Nicholas Benedict was born in South Africa in 1959 and has resided in the United Kingdom since 1981. He was educated in state and private catholic schools and matriculated in 1978.
Father Nicholas grew up with the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary and with the Schoenstatt Fathers. They are a secular institute, and all members of the Schoenstatt movement make a solemn dedication to Our Lady of Schoenstatt. Father Nicholas was consecrated to Our Lady in 1976 and has remained faithful to that consecration since. Schoenstatt was founded in 1914 in Germany has sections for Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Married People and children. They are all united in the Covenant of Love with our Lady.
In 1979/80 Father Nicholas spent time in the pre-novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and undertook pastoral work in KwaZulu Natal.
In 1981 he was given asylum in the United Kingdom due to his antiapartheid activities both in South Africa and in the UK. He worked for some years as a volunteer with the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Committee on South African War Resistance. He has a strong sense of justice and fairness as a result of his early life experiences.
Father Nicholas studied for the priesthood at Cuddesdon College Oxford and was ordained deacon in 1995 and priest in 1996.
Father Nicholas spent a short time in parish ministry and then joined the Royal Navy as a chaplain for four years and the Royal Air Force for six years. He was a parish priest after that and then decided to become an independent minister and taking his experience from the religious communities, he has been part of over the years, established the Oratory of Divine Mercy and Providence in 2013. The oratory is based on Schoenstatt and Benedictine spirituality.
He is under the pastoral care of Archbishop Martyn and The Ecumenical Society of St. Augustine of Canterbury.
He is not a parish priest but lives the contemplative life whilst remaining active in the world. He renews his vows annually. He is guided by the Monastic Offices of the Church and the daily Mass. At the centre of his ministry is the Mass and devotion to Our Blessed Lady.
Father ministers to all in spiritual need and like John Wesley regards the “World as his parish.” He wishes to share in the consecration to Our Lady with ordained and lay people married and single.
Father Nicholas is fortunate to have a small oratory in his home and invites people who wish to have masses said for them to contact him. He is also happy to celebrate mass in their homes and other places when required.
Father has a particular ministry to the sick, the bereaved and to veterans. He is involved in healing ministry.
Please pray for him has he hopes to in time to create a house of prayer for those in need to spend time in contemplation.