Oblate Formation Program

The person seeking admission must submit to the Director of Oblates a signed, written summary of at least several sentences, stating why he or she seeks novice Oblation as a means of enhancing his or her faith-journey with Christ and the Church and should also submit a brief autobiographical statement including significant landmarks of one's Christian life.

Upon acceptance, the person will participate in the authorized ceremony of investiture, be given a Jubilee medal of St. Benedict, and be recognized as and Oblate Novice. This may be done either at the Abbey or at the person's church or parish, in a ceremony conducted by their local clergy, if travel to the Abbey is not practical. A period of a year as an Oblate Novice gives the person time to become acquainted with the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict and to let its values have a transforming effect on one's Christian life.

In accordance with Benedictine spirituality, Oblate life centers around daily participation in the Divine Office and readings from the Rule. Oblate Novices and Oblates are strongly encouraged to participate in both Morning and Evening Prayer. For those familiar with the Office, the Monastic Breviary or the Offices from Book of Common Prayer may be used when praying the Office. For those new to the Office, the simplified version found in Benedictine Prayer may be used, at least initially. Whenever possible, Oblates and Oblate Novices are encouraged to pray the Office communally, either at the Abbey, in their church or parish, or with other Oblates and Oblate Novices. They are also expected to participate regularly in the worship of their local church community.

In addition to daily reading of small selections from the Rule, during the novitiate, each Oblate Novice will read a minimum of three to four books on Benedictine spirituality. These books are to be selected from the approved reading list or, with the approval of the Director of Oblates, from other works relating to monastic life and practices.

During the Novitiate year, the Oblate Novices will provide the Director of Oblates with quarterly reports reflecting upon their reading and their experience in praying the Office, etc. These reports are to be written and approximately one to two pages in length. All Oblates and Oblate Novices are also encouraged to communicate with the Director of Oblates whenever they have questions or concerns about the formation process or Benedictine life in general.

At the end of this period, if the Oblate novice discerns an ongoing call to follow the Benedictine way, he or she may apply for Oblation. It is the Act of Oblation that formally makes one an Oblate. A new Jubilee medal and the Oblate scapular, the traditional sign of an Oblate, is presented at the Act of Oblation. The Act of Oblation is renewed annually. This may be done either communally or privately in the Oblate's home or church. The habit is to be worn at the Abbey at Divine Offices and the conventual Mass. The habit should not be worn in the Oblate's local parish or congregation without Abbot approval the priest or pastor.

After Oblation, Oblates are asked to submit an annual report, similar to the quarterly reports done as a Novice, to the Director of Oblates. This can be done either near the anniversary of their Oblation, or during the season of Lent. They are also asked to support the Companion community with their prayers and make at least a small monthly financial contribution.

The Oblate continues to share in the prayers and works of the Companions, to grow in communion with other Oblates, and to live out the promise of ongoing conversion in Christ, with an ever more persistent turning to Christ in the daily decisions of one's life. This growth in Christ, achieved by God's grace, comes about as Religious and Oblates, who belong to the extended family of the Companions of St. Luke, offer mutual encouragement to one another to seek God by embracing the values proclaimed in the Rule of Saint Benedict..

Reading List

Esther de Waal, A Life-Giving Way - A Commentary on the Rule of Saint Benedict

Srs Schauble & Wojciak, A Reader's Version of the Rule of St. Benedict in Inclusive Language

Norvene Vest, Oblate OSB, No Moment Too Small

Terrence G. Kardong, OSB, Benedict's Rule - A Translation and Commentary

Norvene Vest, Oblate OSB, Friend of the Soul - A Benedictine Spirituality of Work

Pope St. Gregory, Life and Miracles of St. Benedict - Book Two of the Dialogues

Columba Stewart, OSB, Prayer and Community - The Benedictine Tradition

Katherine Howard, OSB, Praying with Benedict

Norvene Vest, Oblate OSB, Preferring Christ

RB 1980 - The Rule of St. Benedict

Kathleen Norris, The Cloister Walk

Judith Sutera, OSB, Work of God

Barry Colman, OSB, Worship and Work