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 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.  

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.

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:

1. 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.’
2. Be received as a candidate for a minimum of one year.*
3. 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.

Oblate Renewal Day | September 18, 2021

Oblate Renewal Day, September 18, 2021, was blessed with 41 oblates, candidates or inquirers joining the sisters at the monastery. Many others joined by livestream. Two oblate candidates, Almut Furchert and Jessie Bazan, made their perpetual oblation. All were inspired and challenged by Anne McCarthy, OSB, our presenter from Erie, Pa., who shared Benedict’s Vision and Today’s Intersecting Crises.

Oblate Retreat Coordinator

Please welcome Dr. Christine Luna Munger, OblSB, as our new oblate retreat coordinator. Christine is a graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, currently as the director of the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville, Minn., and is also a wife and mother of two small children. Christine is very accomplished, so when you see her, ask her what she’s been up to. I think you’ll be in for an interesting conversation.

The oblate retreat coordinator position is new for our oblate community. Christine will be overseeing the oblate retreats, reaching out to those interested in serving on committees, finding an oblate presenter for each retreat and collecting what worked well for each retreat and passing that on to the next oblate retreat planning team.

The Oblate Advisory Team has decided to have one Zoom and one in-person oblate retreat per year. If you are interested in serving on an oblate retreat planning team, please indicate that on the oblate survey and return it prior to Oblate Renewal Day. If you’re an oblate who lives at a distance, being on the planning team for the oblate Zoom retreat is a great way to get to know other oblates and build community. If you live closer to the monastery, we need people on the ground to help facilitate that oblate retreat as well. The planning meetings for both retreats will likely be held on Zoom.

Watch for the oblate survey coming out soon, either by email or regular mail. Please complete and return it prior to Oblate Renewal Day. It helps a lot!

Finally, please welcome Christine in this new position. Christine, thank you for being willing to serve!

Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace and Unity

On October 6, 2021, people from different faiths came together to pray and share stories about Peace and Unity for All People. Enclosed is a video link. Please find a couple of minutes to view the video. Watching the video, you will come together with your “neighbors.” Coming together, sharing community. “What a wonderful world that would be.” Blessings for good health and happiness. Let us be human together.

Bob Lesniewski, OblSB

Spirituality Center●Studium Fall/Winter 2021 Events

Exciting news: The Spirituality Center●Studium’s September through December 2021 offerings (a mix of in-person and virtual opportunities) are OPEN for registration! There is a great variety of prayer retreats, book discussions, Advent programming, and more. Check them out now!

• Oblate Sunday

  November 21 @ 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm

• Oblate Zoom Advent Retreat

  December 4

Mark your calendars for Oblate Sundays and Oblate Renewal Days 2021–2022!

• Oblate Sunday: November 21, 2021
• Oblate Sunday: January 16, 2022
• Oblate Sunday: March 20, 2022
• Oblate Sunday: May 1, 2022
• Oblate Renewal Day: Saturday, September 17, 2022

Oblates have the opportunity to form community and deepen their spiritual life through Oblate Sundays and Oblate Renewal Days. These events are for oblates only, and oblates can view previous presentations by clicking the button below.