StLeoOblates

An "oblation" is an offering or gift to God. Benedictine oblates are men and women who offer their lives to God and become part of a particular monastery's spiritual community. Oblates seek God and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict as their state in life allows. Oblates are Christian lay men and women although clergy may also become an oblate of a monastery. Benedictine oblates do not take religious vows at the monastery like professed monks, nuns, or sisters, but make a promise before God. Benedictine oblates maintain a stable and life-long spiritual union with one monastery. Oblates live outside a monastery, wear regular clothes, and often have a spouse and job. Benedictine oblates seek a deep spirituality by praying the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). Benedictine oblates pursue lectio divina (divine reading), contemplative prayer, and often strive for a more monastic and ascetic manner of living. Benedictine oblates prefer nothing to the love of Christ. Oblates support a spirit of gentle community among themselves in their oblate program at the monastery. Such programs typically consist of periodic meetings, conferences, and spiritual retreats at the monastery. Other groups, not associated with Benedictine oblates, have also used the term oblate, and these other uses of the word may refer to several different types of associations or religious life.