Oblate Life
Who are Benedictine Oblates?
Oblates of St. Benedict are everyday people with jobs, families, and other responsibilities and come from a variety of faith traditions. They associate 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. They seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life and, by integrating their prayer and work, manifesting Christ’s presence in today's hectic, changing world. Being an Oblate offers a rich spiritual connection to the stability and wisdom of an established monastic community.
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 state and the raising of a family. Some are called to the single life in the world and others to the life of a priest or religious. The role of Oblates is to live in the world, becoming holy in their life circumstances and doing what they can to bring the world to God by being witnesses of Christ by word and example to those around them.
Oblates concern themselves with striving to be what they are, people of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. Their prayer life will flow from this awareness as will their willingness to offer themselves for the service of God and neighbor to the best of their ability (that is the meaning of the word oblate). Oblates do not live in a traditional religious community or take vows, but they do make promises.
The History of Oblates
Saint Benedict lived in the sixth century. He came to Rome for his education, but before long he abandoned his studies and lived as a hermit for several years. In time he acquired a reputation for holiness and miracles. Attracting many followers, Benedict established several monastic communities. St. Benedict wrote his Rule roughly between 530 and 540 AD, during the decline of the Roman Empire. Despite the chaos of the invading tribes, St. Benedict produced a classic statement on the monastic life, which combined moderation with fidelity to the best traditions in Christian monasticism. During the following centuries, his monastic way of life spread throughout Europe, and Benedictine monasteries and convents became the principal centers of prayer, culture, and education.
According to Saint Gregory the Great, it appears that Oblates were received by Saint Benedict already at Subiaco, before he founded his monastery at Monte Cassino. Saint Gregory's narrative seems to warrant the conclusion that some adults also put themselves under Saint Benedict's direction and visited his monastery occasionally for spiritual instruction and guidance.
The term "oblate," as applied to adults, does not appear to have been in use before the eleventh century. But as early as the ninth century we meet the term "confratres," which is the name sometimes used for Oblates in the English Congregation of Benedictines, and we have evidence that many monasteries had such "confratres" before the eleventh century. Thus we find a monk of that time writing:
"There are a great many of the faithful, both poor and rich, who request confraternity with us. We give unto all of them participation in whatever good is done in our monastery, be it by prayer or almsgiving. Let us make special prayer for them, both while they live and after their death."
These words are a good description of the relationship that still exists in our own day between Oblates and the monasteries to which they belong.
A more precise status was given to Oblates by Blessed William, Abbot of Hirschau (+1091). He established definite rules for two types of Oblates. The Interns or Regular Oblates lived in the monastery and submitted to its discipline without, however, making formal vows. The Externs or Secular Oblates lived in the world but were affiliated with the monastery. They promised obedience and sometimes perfect chastity and made over a part or the whole of their possessions to the monastery, either immediately or by way of legacy.
Historians tell us that large numbers of the faithful thus consecrated themselves to God and to the Order of Saint Benedict by uniting themselves as Oblates to such famous monasteries as Cluny, Hirschau, Saint Blase, and others. The Holy Roman Emperor, Saint Henry II (972-1024), showed such great love and veneration for the Order that he has been chosen the special patron of the Oblates. His wife, Cunegond, was canonized in 1200.
In the course of time, lay people asked to be associated with the work of the monks and nuns, without, however, leaving their homes, families, and occupations. These, too, were received, offered themselves to God, became Oblates of a monastery or convent, and promised to regulate their lives according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.
Today, throughout the world, there are thousands of Oblates praying and working in spiritual union with Benedictine men and women of various monastic communities and receiving spiritual strength and inspiration from their association as Oblates.
Oblate Spirituality and the benefits of being an Oblate of Saint Benedict
Benedictine Oblates seek God in association with a monastic community: as individuals and as members of a body (a Chapter), they grow in love of God, neighbor and self. They are persons whose lives are shaped by Benedictine spirituality. They follow the Rule of St. Benedict in their daily lives as much as their way of life permits. It is a calling and a commitment to prayer and service, including regular attendance at monthly meetings and our annual retreat. Oblates formation lasts 18 months, culminating in first Oblation (for one year) and then lifetime Oblation. Oblates are full members of the Chapter, with the right to vote and hold leadership positions.
Oblates are able to enrich their Christian way of life by following the wisdom and example of Saint Benedict. His spirituality reflects gospel values such as stability and fidelity, humility and conversion, obedience and a reverence for all human persons. Oblates adopt values that are part of the very fabric of Christian spirituality, such as spending time daily reflecting in the Sacred Scriptures, cultivating an awareness of the presence of God in silence, devoting time to the praise of God, performing acts of mortification.
As one who sought peace in a world of conflict, community in a place of isolation, and God in a time of empty ambitions, Saint Benedict still has much to say to us. If you feel called to become an Oblate, or simply want to learn more, register for our next Inquirer’s class.
Oblates of St. Benedict are everyday people with jobs, families, and other responsibilities and come from a variety of faith traditions. They associate 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. They seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life and, by integrating their prayer and work, manifesting Christ’s presence in today's hectic, changing world. Being an Oblate offers a rich spiritual connection to the stability and wisdom of an established monastic community.
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 state and the raising of a family. Some are called to the single life in the world and others to the life of a priest or religious. The role of Oblates is to live in the world, becoming holy in their life circumstances and doing what they can to bring the world to God by being witnesses of Christ by word and example to those around them.
Oblates concern themselves with striving to be what they are, people of God and temples of the Holy Spirit. Their prayer life will flow from this awareness as will their willingness to offer themselves for the service of God and neighbor to the best of their ability (that is the meaning of the word oblate). Oblates do not live in a traditional religious community or take vows, but they do make promises.
The History of Oblates
Saint Benedict lived in the sixth century. He came to Rome for his education, but before long he abandoned his studies and lived as a hermit for several years. In time he acquired a reputation for holiness and miracles. Attracting many followers, Benedict established several monastic communities. St. Benedict wrote his Rule roughly between 530 and 540 AD, during the decline of the Roman Empire. Despite the chaos of the invading tribes, St. Benedict produced a classic statement on the monastic life, which combined moderation with fidelity to the best traditions in Christian monasticism. During the following centuries, his monastic way of life spread throughout Europe, and Benedictine monasteries and convents became the principal centers of prayer, culture, and education.
According to Saint Gregory the Great, it appears that Oblates were received by Saint Benedict already at Subiaco, before he founded his monastery at Monte Cassino. Saint Gregory's narrative seems to warrant the conclusion that some adults also put themselves under Saint Benedict's direction and visited his monastery occasionally for spiritual instruction and guidance.
The term "oblate," as applied to adults, does not appear to have been in use before the eleventh century. But as early as the ninth century we meet the term "confratres," which is the name sometimes used for Oblates in the English Congregation of Benedictines, and we have evidence that many monasteries had such "confratres" before the eleventh century. Thus we find a monk of that time writing:
"There are a great many of the faithful, both poor and rich, who request confraternity with us. We give unto all of them participation in whatever good is done in our monastery, be it by prayer or almsgiving. Let us make special prayer for them, both while they live and after their death."
These words are a good description of the relationship that still exists in our own day between Oblates and the monasteries to which they belong.
A more precise status was given to Oblates by Blessed William, Abbot of Hirschau (+1091). He established definite rules for two types of Oblates. The Interns or Regular Oblates lived in the monastery and submitted to its discipline without, however, making formal vows. The Externs or Secular Oblates lived in the world but were affiliated with the monastery. They promised obedience and sometimes perfect chastity and made over a part or the whole of their possessions to the monastery, either immediately or by way of legacy.
Historians tell us that large numbers of the faithful thus consecrated themselves to God and to the Order of Saint Benedict by uniting themselves as Oblates to such famous monasteries as Cluny, Hirschau, Saint Blase, and others. The Holy Roman Emperor, Saint Henry II (972-1024), showed such great love and veneration for the Order that he has been chosen the special patron of the Oblates. His wife, Cunegond, was canonized in 1200.
In the course of time, lay people asked to be associated with the work of the monks and nuns, without, however, leaving their homes, families, and occupations. These, too, were received, offered themselves to God, became Oblates of a monastery or convent, and promised to regulate their lives according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.
Today, throughout the world, there are thousands of Oblates praying and working in spiritual union with Benedictine men and women of various monastic communities and receiving spiritual strength and inspiration from their association as Oblates.
Oblate Spirituality and the benefits of being an Oblate of Saint Benedict
Benedictine Oblates seek God in association with a monastic community: as individuals and as members of a body (a Chapter), they grow in love of God, neighbor and self. They are persons whose lives are shaped by Benedictine spirituality. They follow the Rule of St. Benedict in their daily lives as much as their way of life permits. It is a calling and a commitment to prayer and service, including regular attendance at monthly meetings and our annual retreat. Oblates formation lasts 18 months, culminating in first Oblation (for one year) and then lifetime Oblation. Oblates are full members of the Chapter, with the right to vote and hold leadership positions.
Oblates are able to enrich their Christian way of life by following the wisdom and example of Saint Benedict. His spirituality reflects gospel values such as stability and fidelity, humility and conversion, obedience and a reverence for all human persons. Oblates adopt values that are part of the very fabric of Christian spirituality, such as spending time daily reflecting in the Sacred Scriptures, cultivating an awareness of the presence of God in silence, devoting time to the praise of God, performing acts of mortification.
As one who sought peace in a world of conflict, community in a place of isolation, and God in a time of empty ambitions, Saint Benedict still has much to say to us. If you feel called to become an Oblate, or simply want to learn more, register for our next Inquirer’s class.
