Benedictine Oblate
Oblates of Saint Benedict’s Monastery are Christian individuals who associate with a Benedictine community in order to enrich their Christian way of life. Their lives are shaped by living the wisdom of Christ as interpreted by Saint Benedict. A Benedictine oblate seeks God in their chosen way of life. They offer themselves (the word ‘oblate’ means offering) to God in the service of others. Through their prayer, service and community, they witness to Christ’s presence in today’s world.
A Benedictine oblate seeks God in association with a monastic community. As individuals and as members of a community, they grow in love of God and neighbor. With the Rule of Benedict as their guide, oblates engage in practices that are part of the very fabric of Christian spirituality. Some of these include spending time daily to reflect and pray with the sacred scriptures, as well as offering hospitality where they live and work.
Acquaintance with these and other Christian practices presented in the Rule of Benedict enable oblates to experience the peace and joy that Christ promised to all who follow Him. Oblates regularly receive the Oblate News to support them in their spiritual life. There are also opportunities to share and form community including Oblate Sundays, Oblate Renewal Day and small-group gatherings.
For more information on becoming a Benedictine oblate, contact:
Michaela Hedican, OSB
Oblate Director
(320) 363-7060
oblatessbm@csbsju.edu
Oblates gathered for Oblate Sunday on May 19, 2019, where Brendon Duffy, archivist at the St. Cloud Hospital, gave a presentation titled “Gift to the Community: The St. Cloud Hospital and Its Sponsorship.” The St. Cloud Hospital was founded by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in 1886.
What Is An Oblate?
Oblates are women or men who associate themselves with Saint Benedict’s Monastery. They desire to deepen their relationship with God in the places where they live day-to-day. Benedictine oblates are people seeking to serve God in their chosen way of life. Christians of all faith denominations may become oblates and may be married or single.
One of the gifts of being an oblate is the opportunity to extend a Benedictine presence from Saint Benedict’s Monastery to parishes, churches and civic organizations. As an oblate, a person can, through their manner of life and daily prayer, bear witness to the teachings of Jesus as seen through the lens of Saint Benedict. Ongoing formation is also important, and oblates stay in touch through small-group meetings, the Oblate News, Oblate Sundays and Oblate Renewal Days.
Why Become An Oblate?
By becoming an Oblate of Saint Benedict’s Monastery, the opportunities to deepen your spirituality increase by:
- having a spiritual home at Saint Benedict’s Monastery;
- receiving support and encouragement from other oblates and the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict;
- gathering with others to enrich and revive your spiritual life, including an annual Oblate Renewal Day and Oblate Sundays;
- visiting the monastic community at Saint Benedict’s Monastery for prayer and events; and,
- seeking God in the way of life offered by Saint Benedict through prayer, offering hospitality to others and nurturing relationships.
Process Of Formation
Benedictine oblates are supported in their commitment to the oblate way of life by the prayers of the community, by their association with the monastery and by taking advantage of ongoing formation programs offered at Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
Formation Steps
There are three stages for the seeker:
- Contact the Benedictine oblate director at oblatessbm@csbsju.edu to become familiar with the monastic community and to learn what it means to live the ‘oblate way of life.’
- Be received as a candidate for a minimum of one year.*
- Make a final commitment as an oblate by reading the Document of Oblation which is signed on the altar by the candidate and the prioress of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict. This is done on the annual Oblate Renewal Day.
*Other Information About the Candidate Process
A candidate is received in a Rite of Reception. At this time, the candidate is presented with a copy of the Rule of Benedict and a Benedictine medal.
The next year is spent in study, under the direction of the oblate director. During this time, the Rule of Benedict is reviewed, the life of Saint Benedict is explored and practices integral to Benedictine spirituality are learned.
A candidate may be mentored by another oblate or a sister of the monastery. The candidacy can extend up to five years, if necessary.
When a candidate has discerned her/his readiness to make a final commitment, the candidate writes a letter to the prioress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery asking to make her/his final commitment as an Oblate of Saint Benedict’s Monastery.
FAQ
Can I be married/have children and still be an oblate?
Yes, Benedictine oblates may definitely be married and have children.
What goes on during the one-to-five year formation period?
During this time, you are called an oblate candidate, and for the first year, you may be mentored by another oblate. Together, you study the Rule of Benedict and learn about Benedictine spirituality.
Can I be an oblate if I am a baptized member of another Christian faith denomination other than Roman Catholic?
Yes, you certainly can. There are Benedictine oblates who are from other Christian faith traditions.
Are there male oblates at your monastery?
Yes, there are. Men have been received as candidates in recent years and have also made their final commitments.
Do oblates make vows?
No, Benedictine oblates are not professed members of a monastic community, but at their final oblation, they do promise to dedicate themselves to the service of God and all people according to the Rule of Benedict.
Oblate Outreach
These pictures are from our oblate, Pat. Using her artistic gifts, she painted Easter eggs—Ukrainian style—which she and a group of children with whom she does art projects took to a local nursing home on Easter. It is one of the many ways she reaches out to young and old in support and with beauty. The delight both groups feel is evident.
A Good Friday
Our oblate Bob has reached out to others these last years through organizing interfaith prayer services for peace and harmony. The invitation to be a part of the Good Friday Service at the First Congregational Church meant much to him.
“How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers and sisters dwell together as one.” (Ps. 133:1)
“The phone, land line, rang, and I answered to hear the voice of my friend Pastor Mark from First Congregational. He called to invite me to participate in a Good Friday Ecumenical Service. After a moment of thought, I accepted his invitation. Mark than informed me in the 12 years they have been doing the Good Friday Ecumenical Service, I would be the first Catholic to participate.
There were 9 of us involved with the Good Friday Liturgy. Eight of us would be reading the Passion and reflections. One young lady would be doing an interpretive dance. During the service, I sat between a Methodist and a Quaker. Mark, the Quaker, loved the silence following the reflective readings.
The part of Jesus was read by a woman who is the pastor of First Presbyterian Church. I was assigned to read the part of Peter and be a voice in the crowd. Lutheran and Baptist Pastor’s read the reflections. Following the reading of Peter’s denial, the reflective reading question was “Have You Denied Jesus in Your Life?” All silent reflections were accompanied with soft piano music. For me, the most meaningful part of the service was the lady who did her interpretive dance to the music, “Were You There When They Crucified Our Lord.”
We left First Congregational Church in silence. From there I drove to the Mosque for their 1:15 prayer service. During his sermon, the Imam asked the Muslims to pray for all Christian people as they worshiped the death of Jesus.
For me, a Benedictine Oblate, it was “A Good Friday.'”
The Ecumenical Service was held in Eau Claire, Wis.
Events
There are no upcoming events at this time.
Oblate News
At Oblate Sunday on March 17, 2019, Sister Mara Faulkner spoke about “The Celtic Spirit Echoing in Our Lives.” Due to popular request, the handout used in this presentation has been made available: The Celtic Spirit Echoing in Our Lives.