Benedictine oblates are men and women who have made a formal affiliation with a particular Benedictine community. Oblates take the Rule of St. Benedict as a guide to Gospel living and nurture a filial attachment to their particular monastery.

Ideally, occasional visits to the monastery help keep the filial bond strong. Oblates of Assumption Abbey pray for us monks and we monks pray for our oblates and their needs. Oblates are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours morning and evening.

We produce a periodic newsletter for our oblates, and offer two retreat weekends per year for our oblates and others interested in oblation. Among our own oblate community, we have quite a diverse membership: lay and clergy, men and women, old and young, Catholics and other Christians. Each person’s story is unique, but oblation generally has roots in an individual’s quest for a deep walk with God and an affinity for Assumption Abbey.
 

                                 Contact the Oblate Director

In a simple ceremony in the midst of the monks gathered for prayer, the
candidate declares his/her desire to be enrolled as an oblate novice, after
which the Abbot gives a St Benedict medal and a copy of the Rule of Benedict, saying:

“Receive this medal with its cross of St Benedict. May it remind you to take up your cross daily and follow Christ.  As this medal has been blessed, so may you be blessed with health of soul and body. With the help of St Benedict, may you strive to exercise true charity and justice toward all, so that one day you may share in the heavenly kingdom. // Accept the Holy Rule of St Benedict, which was written in the spirit of the Gospel. Let it be a special guide for you in your life as a Christian and an Oblate of St Benedict. May your study of this Rule inspire you to work zealously in harmony with others where you are, for the good of all people and the honor and glory of God.”

One year later the oblate novice may make oblation, solemnly reading the
following text before the Abbot and signing it on the altar: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen, I, (name), offer myself to God through
Jesus Christ our Lord and our holy patron, St Benedict, as an oblate of Assumption Abbey, Richardton, North Dakota, and promise to dedicate myself to the service of God and humanity according to the Rule of St Benedict, in so far as my state in life permits.” 

This is followed by the monks giving the sign of peace to the new oblate.

Contact the Oblate Director

The North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors (NAABOD) contains information on monasteries that have oblate programs, handbooks, and other information for oblates.

The North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors
(NAABOD)

The Order of St. Benedict Website (maintained by St. John's Abbey) contains information on Benedictines around the world. A good resource.
 

                              General Order of St. Benedict Website