What is an Oblate of Saint Benedict?
Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian individuals or families who haveassociated themselves with a Benedictine community in order to enrich their Christian way of life. Oblates shape their lives by living the wisdom of Christ as interpreted by St. Benedict. Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life. By integrating their prayer and work, they manifest Christ's presence in society.
Saint Paul tells us that each member of the body of Christ, the Church,has a special function to perform. Most are called to the married stateand the raising of a family. Some are called to the single life in theworld and others to the life of a priest or religious man or woman. Therole of Oblates is to live in the world, to become holy in the world, todo what they can to bring the world to God by being witnesses of Christ byword and example to those around them.
Oblates concern themselves with striving to be what they are, people ofGod and temples of the Holy Spirit. Their prayer life will flow from thisawareness, as will their willingness to offer themselves (that is themeaning of the word oblate) for the service of God and neighbor to thebest of their ability. Oblates do not take on a new set of religiouspractices and are not required to say a certain number of prayers orengage in special devotions. They do not live in a religious community ortake vows.
Saint Benedict and Oblates
Saint Benedict lived in the sixth century. He was born in a small townnorth of Rome and came to Rome for his education. Before long heabandoned his studies and lived as a hermit for several years at a placecalled Subiaco, where in time he acquired a reputation for holiness andmiracles. Attracting many followers, Benedict established monasticcommunities at Subiaco, Terracina, and Monte Cassino. It was at Monte Cassino that he wrote a Rule which combinedmoderation with fidelity to the best traditions in Christian monasticism. During the following centuries, his monastic way of life spread throughoutEurope, and Benedictine monasteries and convents became the principalcenters of prayer, culture, and education.
From the very beginning Benedictine monasteries accepted boys, andconvents received girls, "offered!' to them by their parents for theirreligious training and education. These children lived in the community,shared its daily round of religious activities, and became known asOblates. In the course of time, lay people asked to be associated withthe work of the monks and nuns, without however leaving their homes,families, and occupations. These too were received, offered. themselvesto God, became Oblates of a monastery or convent, and promised to regulatetheir lives according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict. Theyapplied the teachings of the Rule to their lives in theworld, in their family circles, in their places of work, and in theircivic and social activities.
Today, throughout the world, there are thousands of Oblates praying and working in spiritual union with Benedictine men and women of variouscommunities and receiving spiritual strength and inspiration from theirassociation as Oblates.
The Rule: A Guide for Oblates
Oblates promise to lead an enriched Christian life according to thegospel as reflected in the Rule of St. Benedict. In this way they sharein the spiritual benefits of the sons and daughters of Benedict who arededicated to the monastic life by vow. After a time of preparation, whichculminates in an act of Oblation -- a rite approved by the Church -- the candidates become Oblates of St. Benedict. This promise affiliates them with a Benedictine community and commits them to apply to their lives the characteristic monastic principles.
Oblates strive after stability and fidelity in their lives by regularworship with other Christians and by the support they give to the socialand educational apostolates of their local parishes as well as that of theChurch as a whole.
In accord with the teaching of Benedict, Oblates practice moderation. This moderation manifests itself in the use of the goods of this world, an increasing concern to their neighbor, and in the way they temper and direct their desires. Their fidelity to Christian living will provide a much needed example of genuine Christianity and a stabilizing influence for good on all around them.
In the spirit of the gospel, Oblates commit themselves to a continual conversion to Christ.They see sin and any attachment to it as basically incompatible with aserious following of Christ. Through this deepening of the baptismalpromise, Oblates are free to put on Christ and to allow him to permeatetheir lives. In this way Oblates will come to recognize that in all thephases and events of their lives, in their joys and successes as well as intheir sorrows and disappointments, they are in close union with Christ andparticipate in his very death and resurrection. This 'putting on of Christ' is the goal Oblates pursue in their conversion of life.
In the spirit of obedience, Oblates strive to discover and maintain theirproper relationship toward God, their family, and the civil and religioussociety in which they live. Before God, Oblates must come to recognizethemselves as creatures dependent on their Creator and as sinners beforetheir Redeemer. Aware of their own spiritual poverty and need of God,Oblates come to realize that they have no other reason for being, exceptto be loved by God as Creator and Redeemer and to love and seek him in return.
In loving obedience to God's plan, Oblates will develop a deep reverencefor life. They will respect it as a precious gift from God and defendthose groups which because of age, health or race are defenseless and mostopen to attack. Seeking harmony and integrity of life, they perpetuate andenhance the traditional Benedictine motto: Peace. Personally and togetherwith other Christians, Oblates work to promote Christian family living. They take care to seek out opportunities for the practice of charity andwarm hospitality to those around them.
Oblate Spirituality
Benedictine Oblates seek God in association with a monastic community: asindividuals and as members of a body, they grow in love of God, neighbor,and self. With the Rule as their guide, Oblates adopt values that arepart of the very fabric of Christian spirituality, such as, spending timedaily reflecting on the Sacred Scriptures; cultivating an awareness of the presence of God in silence; devoting time to the praise of God; performing acts of mortification. An acquaintance with these and other Christian values presented in the Rule of St. Benedict will enable Oblates to attainthat special peace and joy that Christ came to bring and promised to allwho follow him.
The Director of Oblates provides direction and instruction through lettersor meetings. Conferences, group discussions, common prayers, andparticipation in the community's liturgical life afford Oblates theopportunity for spiritual growth. In offering this assistance to theindividual Oblate, the guiding principle is that stated by St. Benedict inchapter 64 of his Rule: "Let the Abbot so moderate all things that there be something for the strong to strive after, and nothing to dishearten theweak."
The text above was taken from a pamphlet prepared by the Directors of Oblates at the July 1982 meeting. Publishedby The Liturgical Press, Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota56321. A revised edition is mentioned next.
Oblates of Saint Benedict: An Introduction. Revised edition; new format. Paper, 8 pages. Liturgical Press, 2008. ISBN:978-0-8146-1853-0
For further information, contact the Oblate Director at the abbey, monastery, or priory of your choice.Most monasteries of men or women accept both men and women as Oblates.
Suggestions for Reading
The titles listed below describe the life, spirit, worship and work of the Benedictines. They may be ordered online or by phone from Liturgical Press, Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321.
Benedict's Rule: A Translation and Commentary byTerrence Kardong OSB of Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND (A Liturgical Press book) (1996), $59.95.
The Rule of St. Benedict. Leonard J. Doyle; Rev. David W. Cotter, editor. New edition,$29.95 hardback; $5.95 paper.
RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict (1981). Editor, Timothy Fry,OSB. Latin and English unabridged edition, $39.95.RB 1980, English text only, paper. $2.95
The Life of St. Benedict by Gregory the Great. Translation and commentary by Terrence G. Kardong OSB. Liturgical Press, March 2009. $16.95.
Life and Miracles of St. Benedict. Pope St. Gregory the Great. 87pages. $7.95
Novena to St. Benedict. Arranged for group use, this booklet includes hymns, antiphon, psalm, gospel reading, prayers, and points for reflection.32 pages. $3.95
Benedictine Daily Prayer: A Short Breviary
Maxwell E. Johnson, Editor, with the Monks of Saint John's Abbey
For those who want to grow spiritually, Benedictine Daily Prayer provides an everyday edition of the Divine Office. People who desire to pray with the church can do so in a simple manner by following this Benedictine daily prayer model. $49.95
The Benedictine Handbook. Anthony Marett-Crosby, Editor. The Benedictine Handbook is a lifelong companion for oblates, associates, and friends of the Benedictine communities. $24.95
A Blessed Life: Benedictine Guidelines for Those Who Long for Good Days. Wil Derkse; Translated by Martin Kessler. Liturgical Press, March 2009. $11.95.
A Life-Giving Way: A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict. Estherde Waal. 1995. 200 pages. $19.95
The Oblate Life. Gervase Holdaway OSB, editor. Price: $29.95.
Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict, Second Edition. By Esther de Waal; Foreword by Kathleen Norris. Bestseller. $14.95
St. Benedict for the Laity. Eric Dean. 88 pages. $12.95
The Medal of Saint Benedict
St. Benedict Medals (1880 and other versions) are available in several types(aluminum, bronze, silvered bronze, gold-plated, and gold-plated enameled)and sizes for each type.
St. Benedict Jubilee Medal (1880) Leaflet. Revised 2008; contains a historical sketch of the Jubilee Medal, describing its symbolism and the blessing, and the official form for the blessing of St. Benedict medals. ISBN: 978-0-8146-1868-4
