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 What is an Oblate?
An Oblate is a man or a woman of any faith who has made a formal commitment to try to live the values of Benedictine life in their own life's circumstances. Some of the values espoused as Benedictines are prayer and an ongoing search to deepen one's relationship with God; charity and hospitality as they can best be lived out in one's life; and listening for the will of God in one's life. The Oblate program allows for reading, learning and discernment as one continues to deepen his or her relationship with God.
What do I do as an Oblate?
Of primary importance in being an Oblate of Assumption Abbey is you do what you can, where you are. Daily life is filled with enough stress and turmoil, so we at Assumption Abbey would like your affiliation to the monastic community to be an oasis of quiet, prayer and a personal support system. Being an Oblate is as individualized as each person who chooses to seek this path. You have the monastic community for assistance, guidance and friendship.
The Benedictine monks on the prairie at Assumption Abbey tend to be rather laid back about a lot of things, but we are very serious in our search for God. Our Oblate program is about helping people draw closer to God through means familiar to us.
How do I become an Oblate? After an initial contact with the Oblate Director by letter, phone or e-mail, we suggest you pay us a personal visit in order to come to know us better and to see firsthand how we live the Rule of St. Benedict. After this, you may become an Oblate Novice for one year during which time you study the Rule and how it can be applied to your situation. Anytime after the novice year, you may choose to make your final oblation: a sincere promise to serve God and others according to the Gospel teachings and the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.
For more information about our Oblate Program, please contact
, our Oblate Director at Assumption Abbey, P.O. Box A, Richardton, ND 58652; or call (701) 974-3315. |
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