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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, lay men and women 18 or older may become Oblates.  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?

  • To receive spiritual strength and inspiration from the Benedictine community and way of life;

  • To carry monastic values into the world by the teachings of St. Benedict in daily life;

  • To seek God daily through study, prayer, and conversion of life;

  • To develop a love and reverence for lectio divina (Scriptural reflection and prayer);

  • To become part of a spiritual community of believers.

Learn More About Oblates

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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.

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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

2022-2023

 

  • Advisors:  Sr. Maureen Niedermeyer & Sr. Dorothy Pulka

  • Oblate Coordinator: Mary Blankenship

  • Formation Coordinators:  Tom Kinzie & Nancy Hendricks

  • Communications:  Terry Wright

  • Hospitality:  Trish McConnel

  • Rae Parlier

  • Pam Kerr

  • Lucille Sarvela

  • Ingrid Gordon

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Oblate Sunday Meeting Dates

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2022

  • September 11

  • October 9

  • November 13

  • December 11

 

2023

  • January 8

  • February 12

  • March 12

  • April 2

  • May 5-7  Annual Retreat

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Reading Selections for Oblate Year

2022-2023

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How To Be: A Monk And A Journalist Reflect On Living & Dying,

Purpose & Prayer, Forgiveness And Friendship

By Judith Valente and Paul Quenon

 

September, 2022

Introduction: Seeds of a Friendship

Letter Writing

 

October, 2022

Work

Being and Doing

 

November, 2022

Resurrection and Poetry

Living and Dying

Time

 

December, 2022

Purpose and Call

The Hungry Sheep

 

January, 2023

Prayer

Friendship

 

February, 2023

Navigating the Unexpected

Meditation

 

March, 2023

Living with the Unimaginable

Useless Care

Nature’s Magic Spots

 

April, 2023

Cultivating Silence

Living in Eternity

 

Inquirer Book Study

2022-2023

 

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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