Society of Our Lady of the Isles

The Society of Our Lady of the Isles (SOLI) is a small Anglican religious order for women. It is arguably the most remote community (by location) within the Anglican Communion. It is located on the island of Fetlar in Shetland, and is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The Rule of the community is a mixture of Franciscan and Cistercian, but with heavy Celtic influences.

History

The community dates its origin from 1984 when the Reverend Mother Mary Agnes arrived on Fetlar to live a contemplative and isolated life of prayer. She took over a simple cottage with a small barn suitable for conversion to a chapel. Others began to visit, or stay, and in 1988 the Society was named and came into existence as a group, rather than an individual. Mother Mary Agnes was formally recognised as Superior by the Church in 1993.^[1]

Location

Shetland is a large, but remote island group that is politically part of Scotland. The main island may be accessed from mainland Scotland by ferry or aeroplane. From the Shetland mainland a 20-minute ferry journey is necessary to the island of Yell. Travellers must then cross this island by road (18 miles), and take a further ferry journey (25 minutes) to Fetlar. The final part of the journey, on Fetlar, is usually completed by foot, although a 'dial-a-ride' subsidised taxi service is available on the island, if booked in advance.

Community

Since opening, new convent buildings have been developed. The main convent house is a safe and secure modern building, and a new chapel has been built on the convent site, dedicated to "Christ the Encompasser and all his Angels". At present four sisters live in community, of whom two are life professed (having taken final vows). The life professed sisters live in isolation (as hermits), joining with the rest of the community only for daily Compline (Night Prayer), weekly choir practice, and the Sunday morning sung mass.^[2] The other sisters live as Oblate sisters. A fifth sister lives in the daughter house located at Bridge of Walls on the mainland of Shetland. A version of the community's Rule is followed by a number of 'external oblates', who support the community, and live under simple promises, but not full monastic vows. There are currently no facilities for resident guests, but visitors can stay on Fetlar in bed and breakfast accommodation, and join in the prayer life of the community. The convent has a hospitality room where all visitors are invited to rest and make themselves a hot drink.

Chapels

The Byre Chapel, which was the original place of worship developed from a barn, remains in use as a place of prayer. It is noteworthy for its simple and rustic style of construction and furnishing. The opposite end retains its traditional use, as the SOLI community goat (named 'Iona') lives here.^[3]

The Chapel of Christ the Encompasser and all his Angels is of modern construction, and part of the 'new' convent buildings. The daily office is prayed here, and there is a Sunday mass at 10 am each week. The chapel affords impressive sea views. Both chapels are open to visitors.

References

↑ See the community's own webpage.
↑ See details on the diocesan website.
↑ See feature page on the Undiscovered Scotland website.

External links

Active religious orders and communities of the Anglican Communion

For men	Alton Abbey Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ Brotherhood of Saint Gregory Community of the Divine Compassion Community of the Resurrection Company of Mission Priests Ewell Monastery Franciscan orders Korean Franciscan Brotherhood Little Brothers of Francis Melanesian Brotherhood Oratory of the Good Shepherd Benedictine orders Order of the Holy Cross Order of the Teachers of the Children of God Salisbury Priory St Gregory's Abbey Society of St. Francis Society of St. John the Evangelist Society of St. Paul

For women	Augustinian orders Benedictine Sisters of Bethany Chama Cha Mariamu Mtakatifu Chita che Zita Rinoyera Chita che Zvipo Zve Moto Christa Sevika Sangha Community of All Hallows Community of Christ the King Community of Jesus' Compassion Community of Nazareth Community of St. Andrew Community of St. Clare Community of St. Denys Community of St. Francis Community of St. John Baptist Community of St. John the Divine Community of St. John the Evangelist Community of St. Laurence Community of St. Mary Community of St. Mary at the Cross Community of St. Mary the Virgin Community of St. Mary of Nazareth and Calvary Community of St. Michael & All Angels Community of St. Paul Community of St. Peter Community of St. Peter, Horbury Community of the Blessed Lady Mary Community of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd Community of the Good Shepherd Community of the Holy Cross Community of the Holy Family Community of the Holy Name (Europe & Africa) Community of the Holy Name (Australia) Community of the Holy Spirit Community of the Resurrection of Our Lord Community of the Sacred Name Community of the Sacred Passion Community of the Servants of the Cross Community of the Sisters of Melanesia Community of the Sisters of the Church Community of the Sisters of the Love of God Community of the Transfiguration Congregation of the Sisters of the Visitation of our Lady Daughters of St. Francis Fikambanan'ny Mpanompovavin l Jesoa Kristy Franciscan orders Malling Abbey Order of St. Anne Order of St. Anne at Bethany Order of St. Benedict Order of St. Helena Order of the Holy Paraclete Order of Women (South India) Sisterhood of St. John the Divine Sisterhood of St. Mary, Bangladesh Sisterhood of the Epiphany Sisterhood of the Holy Nativity Sisters of Charity Sisters of the Good Shepherd Sisters of the Incarnation Sisters of Jesus Way Sisters of St Francis (Korea) Society of All Saints Sisters of the Poor Society of Our Lady of the Isles Society of Our Lady St. Mary Society of St. John the Divine Society of St. Margaret Society of the Franciscan Servants of Jesus & Mary Society of the Holy Cross Society of the Holy Trinity Society of the Precious Blood Society of the Sacred Advent Society of the Sacred Cross Society of the Sisters of Bethany

Mixed	Anglican Order of Preachers (Dominican) Community of the Glorious Ascension Community of the Holy Transfiguration Community of the Servants of the Will of God Companions of Saint Luke (OSB) Franciscan orders Mucknell Abbey Order of Julian of Norwich Benedictine orders Society of the Sacred Mission

Related articles	Topics closely related to active religious orders: Former religious orders in the Anglican Communion

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