Oblation

what it means to live as an oblate of st. benedict’s abbey

by fr. meinrad miller • novice master & oblate director B

It is easy in our world to forget about God. Many live as if God does not matter. All baptized people are called to wake up, to be alert to the presence of the Lord by turning away from sin, and receiving with joy the new life offered by Christ.

There are many ways to foster this growth. One of them is by becoming a Benedictine Oblate. Oblation means to offer a gift. The bread and wine at Mass are offered and become the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Paul teaches us that we also offer our very bodies when he write to the Romans: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1)

St. Paul was handing on what he had experienced from Christ and the early Christian community. The call to seek God as an oblate or a monk is not something forced upon anyone. As always, the person’s freedom is fully respected. St. Benedict himself shows us the beauty of God’s call when he asks us, “what dear brothers, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.“ (Rule Prologue, 19-20)

Today Benedictine oblates come from many backgrounds; they are men and women, lay people and ordained, who seek to offer their lives to God as a gift through the Rule of Saint Benedict. Like monks, oblates are always attached to a particular monastery. Having responded to the call of God they seek to grow daily in this way with the Gospel as guide. Unlike monks, they do not profess vows, which bind them, but their commitment has been described as “a public and solemn promise made in the presence of the Church, which effects a spiritual association with a particular monastic community.” Oblation is intended to be an aid in the fulfillment of one’s baptismal vows. Saint Benedict teaches that his Rule of life is a way to help Christians live the Gospel more faithfully.

If one has not experienced the love of God it is nearly impossible to have the trust needed to progress in the spiritual life. St. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:5: “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

St. Benedict had experienced this love of God poured into his own life. He did not merely pass on random abstract knowledge to us; rather what we find in the Rule is the result of years of his allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his heart to a deeper awareness of the loving presence of Christ leading all of us to the Father. Leaving the city of Rome because he did not find people there who took the search for God seriously, he withdrew to the cave at Subiaco in the year 499 to live a life of prayer. Later his Rule would be a guiding force in the evangelization of the world, bringing people to encounter Christ.

At St. Benedict’s Abbey we have records of a few oblations on file going back to the 1920s. A formal program was established in 1941 by Abbot Martin Veth with Father Bernard Sause serving as the Oblate Director. I am pleased that Abbot James has asked me to serve as the new Director of Oblates for the Abbey. I have inherited files of many men and women over the years who made their oblation. Some people reading this may have become oblates years ago and may wish to renew their oblation. We accept men and women who desire to become oblates, or, if they are oblates, to recommit themselves to this way of life.

Oblates, along with the Abbot, sign their commitment on the altar at Mass. Leanne Bergsieker, BC ‘16 (above with Abbot James), along with five others, became oblates on February 1, 2015.

The Rule of St. Benedict and the monks of St.

Benedict’s Abbey have led me to a deeper relationship with Christ. I am an oblate because I seek to serve God through my work and prayer and share the joy that comes from that with the world. - Brianna Sluder, Oblate, BC ‘15

ecomingB an Oblate

If you have a desire to seek God at a deeper level with the help of a Benedictine community and other like-minded individuals, this way of life may well be for you. If you would like to explore becoming an oblate more deeply, contact Fr. Meinrad at oblates@kansasmonks.org - or call - 913.367.7853

How do I start the process?

The first step is to contact the oblate director, and come to meetings. Oblates meet on the second Saturday of each month.

What is oblate formation like?

Once it is determined that a person is ready to become an oblate, there is a minimum of a year and a day of candidacy. During this time there is a formation in key aspects of Benedictine Spirituality.

What do oblates do?

Oblates live their baptismal vows through the wisdom of St. Benedict. As they are able they pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and take time daily for silence and Lectio Divina (Holy Reading of Scripture). Daily Mass is often a highlight of their day if possible. They also strive to make all of their work and relationships grow from their seeking after God, using the wisdom of St. Benedict. This means they will grow in humility, silence, obedience (listening to the voice of God in the Scripture and the Church, the Rule of St. Benedict, and to others) and good works.

What if I am already an oblate or am an oblate at another monastery?

If you made your oblation years ago, you can renew your oblation and begin to live the life anew. Many people desire to remain oblates of the house where they first became oblates. Some people are oblates of other houses and have moved into our area and want to become oblates here, in which case they may wish to transfer their oblation here, or remain as oblates where they first encountered the Rule of St. Benedict.

What are the benefits of becoming an oblate?

Oblates tell me how coming to know the monks and other oblates, and to live by St. Benedict’s Rule has changed their lives. As I look around at people at our daily Abbey Mass, I often see our oblates present. I am sure it is the same with the other oblates at their parishes.

What if I am a college student seeking to become an oblate?

Abbot James has appointed Br. Timothy McMillan to work with me in organizing a group of college oblates at Benedictine College.