About Oblates
Live the Benedictine Way of Life
Vowed membership is not the only way to formally affiliate oneself with a Benedictine community. At Queen of Angels and many other monasteries, anyone 18 or older may become Oblates. Our Oblates program is ecumenical and open for men and women. Oblates continue to live and work in their own home community, but essentially become "lay members" of a particular Benedictine community and promise to share the Benedictine way of life.
The Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel have accepted Oblates since 1975. They offer an active program that will enrich and deepen the spirituality of the Oblates who consider the Monastery to be their spiritual home and the Sisters their spiritual companions.
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Why Become an Oblate?
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To receive spiritual strength and inspiration from the Benedictine community and way of life;
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To carry monastic values into the world by the teachings of St. Benedict in daily life;
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To seek God daily through study, prayer, and conversion of life;
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To develop a love and reverence for lectio divina (Scriptural reflection and prayer);
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To become part of a spiritual community of believers.
Learn More About Oblates
Becoming an Oblate
Those interested in becoming an Oblate should contact the Director of Oblates at Queen of Angels Monastery. Over a period of time, the Oblate candidate comes to know the Sisters and discerns his or her call to being an Oblate. After a period of preparation, the candidate makes a formal promise – Act of Oblation – to share the Benedictine way of life and monastic values.
The commitment is not binding in the same way that religious vows are, but it brings the Oblate into the Sisters’ family and engages him or her fully in the prayer, work and spiritual life of the community.
Inquirer Stage: The first stage in the process of becoming a Benedictine Oblate is a time of inquiry. Its purpose is to help one become familiar with the Rule of St. Benedict under the guidance of the Director of Oblates, with the support of the Benedictine Sisters and the Oblate community. It is a time of discernment as one explores at a profound level one's interest in the Benedictine life. This stage generally takes one year.
Candidate Stage: The Inquirer becomes a Candidate in the Oblate community after completion of the Inquiry Stage. The focus of this stage is on deep prayer practice (as one's life circumstances allow) and deepening awareness of Benedictine Spirituality through reading, participation at meetings, and study of the Rule of St. Benedict. The Candidate Stage generally takes one year also.
Benedictine Oblate: After successful completion of the Candidacy stage, one may request acceptance as a full Oblate. If one chooses oblation, the Oblate promises in a ceremony before the Prioress of the Monastery and the Benedictine Sisters, Oblates, family, and friends to live according to Benedictine spirituality in affiliation with the Queen of Angels Monastery. The oblation and its promise is not a vow, but is a free gift of oneself to God.
The Spiritual Life of An Oblate
The term “Oblate” means “an offering of oneself” and the practice of associating with a Benedictine monastery dates back to at least the 9th century. Oblates seek God daily through study, prayer, conversion of life, and works of charity, justice and peace.
They attend regular Oblate gatherings at Queen of Angels and join the Sisters for Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharistic celebrations.
Through their study of the Rule of Benedict and their practice of lectio divina (prayerful reflection on the Word of God in Scripture and other spiritual texts), Oblates receive spiritual strength and inspiration.
For Oblates
Oblate Leadership Team & Council
2024-2025
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Advisors: Sr. Maureen Niedermeyer, Sr. Joan Pokorny and Sr. Dorothy Pulkka
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Oblate Director: Nancy Hendricks, Director and Alysa Hilton, Associate Director
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Formation Team: Tom Kinzie, Nancy Hendricks, Rae Parlier, Lucille Sarvela, Sr. Maureen Niedermeyer, Sr. Joan Pokorny
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Communications: Mary Blankenship
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Hospitality: Jo Hussey (on leave), Mary Frances Jackson, Linda Craven
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Pam Kerr
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Lucille Sarvela
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Ingrid Gordon
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Jo Hussey (on leave)
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JoAnne Paxton
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Cynthia Gibson
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Tom Kinzie
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2025-26 Monthly Meeting Dates and Morning Prayer Locations
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September 14 - Monastery Chapel
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October 12 - Orchard House Community Room
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November 9 - Monastery Chapel
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December 14 - Orchard House Community Room
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January 11 - Monastery Chapel
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February 8 - Orchard House Community Room
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March 8 - Monastery Chapel
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April 12 - Monastery Chapel
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May 17 - Orchard House Community Room
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Reading Selections for Oblate Year
2025-26
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Silence, Solitude, Simplicity: A Hermit's Love Affair with a Noisy, Crowded, and Complicated World' by Sister Jeremy Hall, OSB
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October Chapter 1-3 Essentials for the Journey pages 3-41; Mary Blankenship will provide questions
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November Chapter 4 Fruits of Monastic Life pages 42-56; JoAnne Paxton
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December Chapters 5-7 The Desert, Silence and Solitude pages 59-97; Lucille
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January No questions Sister Jane and Catholic Community Services will provide updates
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February Chapters 8 and 9 Simplicity, Fruits of Desert Spirituality ; pages 98-119; Nancy
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March No questions Sister Dorothy Jean will give talk about Patron Saint of Oblates, St. Frances of Rome
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April Chapters 10-12 Where are you, What are you looking for, and Who do you say that I am? Pages 123-142 Pam Kerr
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May Chapters 13-16 God’s Questions , pages 143-170 TBD
Inquirer Book Study
2024-2025
St Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living (10th Anniversary Edition)
By Jane Tomaine
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Resources Available for Download
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Revised Lectio Format for Hybrid Meetings