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
At the latest Oblate Sunday on November 17, Sister Katherine Howard presented on The Rule of Benedict: A Way of Love.
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
English Language Learners
Twice a week, students in the St. Joseph area join sisters and volunteers for English Language Learners classes at the Spirituality Center●Studium. The goal of these classes is to help each student progress in their English fluency, and new students are welcomed as they move to the community.
Recently, Oblate Julianna Howard introduced ELL students to an art exhibit called “When Home Won’t Let You Stay,” at Gorecki Gallery on the grounds of the College of Saint Benedict. The experience incorporated the grounding reality of many of the ELL students’ life experiences into their newly acquired use of the English language as they viewed the exhibit and shared their reflections.
You are invited to learn more about and participate in our peace and social justice community.
Holiday Projects
Eighteen young people and some of their parents with whom one of our oblates journeys came together for a Thanksgiving meal. This is the group that makes special gifts for those in nursing homes and then brings the gifts to the residents. The letters that you see in the pictures was an art prayer that the group did. The letters spelled out HAPPY THANKSGIVING! They were filled in with things, or one thing, we were thankful for.
This group is working on another project for Advent. Each person is given a blank puzzle piece—about a 2″ square. On that puzzle piece, each person has to tell part of “their story.” The puzzles will be put together on Gaudete Sunday. The point of this project is that Advent is the beginning of Jesus’ story and in learning about his ancestry, our oblate hopes that everyone will come to understand (a little) how their story fits into that story.
Events
Oblate Sunday
January 19 @ 1:15 pm - 2:30 pmOblate Sunday
March 15 @ 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm
Oblate Resources
- If you would like to access a recording of the Oblate Sunday presentation on November 17, please contact Sister Michaela Hedican.
- Oblate News: December 2019
- If you would like to access a recording of Oblate Renewal Day on September 21, please contact Sister Michaela Hedican.
- 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.