Holy Face Monastery

An Oblate is a lay person, male or female, married or single, living in the world who wishes to follow the Rule of St. Benedict to the best of their ability according to their circumstances in life and is attached to a Benedictine Abbey or Monastery; an Oblate is a part of the Benedictine
Family. An Oblate does not necessarily need to be a Catholic but they do need to be practicing in the Christian Church. A member of another third order (eg. Third Order of St. Francis, Secular Carmilites, Lay Dominicans etc.) can not be a Benedictine Oblate without first being released
from the group they belong to by a letter from their director; a person can not belong to two lay groups at the same time.
How does one become an Oblate?
One who is interested in becoming an Oblate of St. Benedict first contacts the Oblate Director of the local monastery or abbey requesting to begin the formation process. The Oblate formation process consists of the following:
● Discernment Period which, after you submit the “Discernment Information Form”, is from 6 month to a year. This is a time to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit if the Lord is calling you to be an Oblate. Visiting the monastery and speaking with the Oblate Director is desirable during this period. Oblate Discerners can attend the monthly Oblate Meetings. When during the discernment you desire to begin Oblate Formation you may make an application to begin the Oblate Novitiate.
● Oblate Novitiate is a year period, beginning with a formal investiture ceremony with the
community in which you learn about the Benedictine Order, the Sylvestrine
Congregation, Lectio Divina, Liturgy of the Hours and the Oblate Program. The Oblate Novice is expected to attend the monthly Oblate Meeting where they will receive instruction, turn in their monthly written “homework” and receive the next month’s assignment, and go over the previous month’s assignment which the Oblate Director hass corrected. The Oblate Novice is permitted to miss two (2) monthly Oblate Meetings during their Oblate Novitiate. The Oblate Novice will also begin living the prayer life of an
Oblate during this period. At the end of the Oblate Novitiate the Oblate Novice can request in writing to make their Oblation which the Oblate Director takes to the Prior for his approval. An Oblate’s Oblation is made in front of the Oblates and Monastic Community at a special ceremony and is renewed yearly.
● Oblates and Oblate Novices should attempt to work into their daily prayer life all of the following:

1. Daily Mass (when possible)
2. Recite some form of the Liturgy of the Hours
3. At least a half hour Lectio Divina daily
4. Read a small portion of the Rule of St. Benedict daily
5. Lenten Penance forms given to the Prior

● Oblates and Oblate Novices try to make a group week-end retreat yearly or, at least, a group Day of Recollection yearly.
● Monthly Oblate Meetings usually are held on a Saturday and consist of Mass or Vespers (depending on the time of day of the meeting) with the Monastic Community, a time of reflection as a group, either a formation talk by the Oblate Director or guest speaker, or possibly a book study. A light meal or snacks may be included in the day. Oblates normally celebrate the Solemnity of St. Benedict and the Solemnity of St. Sylvester with
a special Mass and gathering.
● Some type of Service Project is recommended (such as Easter Baskets to feed the hungry at Easter) yearly.
● The Oblates can have a picnic during the summer. We do this in conjunction with the celebration of St. Benedict in July. We combine their renewal of Oblation with a Feast Day Mass with the Monastic Community joining them presided over by the Prior. The Monastery provides the hamburgers and hot dogs, buns and condiments. The Oblates bring dishes to pass. The Monastic Community also joins them for this. The meat is
usually grilled by one of the Oblates.

June 27, 2020 - Br. Mark Orcutt, O.S.B.