What is an Oblate?
Benedictine Oblates are Lay Christians, affiliated with a particular monastery for the purpose of living out Gospel values according to the ancient Rule of St. Benedict.
After a period of formation they offer their lives to God in a public act of Final Oblation and commit themselves to serve God and the human family in their particular circumstances in the world.
According to their ability, they strive to support their monastic community in its ministry and special charisma, and receive in turn inspiration and guidance from the monastery for their own spiritual growth and the strengthening of their faith.
They aim to form their lives according to Benedictine values, and thus by prayer, work, and word give witness to the relevance of monastic spirituality in our own time.
Who can become an Oblate?
Any Christian person, lay or ordained, single or married, who
§
is committed to living a Christian life,
§is an active member of one's Church,
§is attracted to and values Benedictine principles.
What are Benedictine Principles?
§Seeking God in one's everyday Life,
§Striving for spiritual growth through ongoing conversion of heart,
§Regular liturgical and personal prayer,
§Prayerful reading of Scripture, (Lectio Divina)
§Stability as fidelity to one's commitment,
§Listening to God's continuous call,
§Responding in obedience, humility, and love,
§Simplicity of life-style,
§Stewardship with one's resources and those of the earth
§Cherishing silence and solitude
§Living a balanced Life
§Practicing Hospitality
§Serving God in a Community (Family, Parish, Oblate Community, Prayer Group)
§Working for Peace and Reconciliation.
How does one become an Oblate?
There are certain Steps of Formation:
1. Inquirers:
Persons interested in the Oblate program are invited to visit the Website of the Abbey of St. Walburga or contact the Oblate Director in order to get information.
Upon request they will receive our Oblate newsletter, which is usually published about every two months.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Oblate meetings at the Abbey as Visitor.
Oblate meetings are held every 4 6 weeks on Sundays, between 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
The dates for the oblate meetings are published in the newsletter. To see the current list of meetings, please click here.
2. Candidate:
If someone has attended several meetings, and has expressed serious interest in becoming an Oblate, this person is considered a Candidate.
3. Oblate Novice
Once or twice a year, Candidates are being enrolled as Oblate Novices and will choose or be assigned a sponsor from the Oblate community who will accompany the Oblate Novice throughout the formation time. In individual or group discussions the Sponsor will facilitate the study of the Benedictine Rule and assist in the process of discernment in regard to the Novice's way toward Final Oblation.
4. Oblate with Final Oblation
At the Final Oblation, the Oblate will promise to live according to the Rule of St. Benedict, as far as one's circumstances permit, will give service to God and to their neighbors in affiliation with and under the guidance of the Abbey of St. Walburga.
What are the Privileges of a Benedictine Oblate?
The affiliation with the Abbey of St. Walburga grants to the Oblates a share in the "common spiritual reservoir" of grace, strength, and blessings for the Church and our world, a reservoir which is continually augmented by the prayer, work, and the sacrifices of the monastic community, as well as the fervent Christian life of the Oblates.
What are the Obligations of an Oblate?
Oblates with Final Oblation
§will pray (part of) the Divine Office daily,
§will be faithful in their practice of prayerful, meditative Scripture reading (Lectio Divina)
§participate in the Liturgy of the Abbey as far as is possible,
§support the community's vocation and ministry by prayer and by sharing of the individual's resources, time, skills, and expertise, etc.
§Oblates will extend the Abbey's enterprises and special charisma into the area of the world where they live and work.
§They will also further the Oblate community and take on responsibilities in whatever ways they are able.
§They will keep in contact with the Oblate Director and with members of the group, and renew their oblation every year.
§Oblates will deepen their understanding of Benedictine principles by
-Continually studying the Rule of St. Benedict,
-Reading the newsletters and spiritual books,
-Attending oblate meetings,
-Making an annual retreat.
Assistance in joining this group will be offered by Dawn Hardison.
