Daily Meditation for December 17, 2025

One oblate group, the “Merry Wanderers,” discovered a new word at one of its monthly meetings: “Refugia.” It sounds like “refuge” and, in a way, that is just what it is: a small cell of faith-based individuals committed to being in community with each other. A refuge is a place of safety, a place of support for growth whether in nature or in human beings. In a small cell, one finds a pocket of stability and acceptance. The gifts of each person are valued; kindness, creativity and acceptance are modeled as each person takes a turn in facilitating the group’s monthly meetings. Small groups can become islands of wellbeing. Within such groups, transformation and renewal can occur. Most importantly, as a faith cell gathers, there is the realization that the Holy One is present: “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).

By Dianne Schlichting, OblSB