I had several questions yesterday about what that year of study involved, so I thought I start by answering that. As an Oblate, you are required to fulfill several duties daily. These are as follows:
- Pray daily the Liturgy of the Hours
- Read from the Rule of St. Benedict each day
- Practice Lectio Divina each day. (This is a meditative reading from Scripture or other religious writings)
- Participate frequently in the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. (Oblates who are not Roman Catholic should be faithful to their denominational beliefs of church and prayer)
- Be attentive to God’s presence in ordinary, daily life.
(credit: St Meinrad Archabbey)
I also mentioned lessons that I received. I’ll outline that as well. Once a month, I would receive a lesson in the mail. This was several pages written by various monks on topics meant to help oblate novices in discernment and spiritual growth. After studying the lessons, there were several questions listed to answer and email to my oblate novice mentor, Br. Stanley. These questions were meant for self-examination and reflection. They are there to help the novice determine if becoming an Oblate is really for them.
I hope this helps and I’m happy to answer any questions, either by email or phone. Please send me a private message if you need to reach me and I will get back to you asap.
Did you know…St Meinrad Archabbey is named for St. Meinrad of Einsiedeln, who died in 861. It is one of only two archabbeys in the United States and one of eleven in the world.
So, yesterday brought us up to my final oblation on December 4th of this year. As an oblate, along with the duties I listed above, there are promises made at final oblation, as you sign your covenant. I will list these below:
- Stability of Heart – this promise expresses the oblates commitment to a particular monastic community. Stability of heart reaffirms the basic promise of conversion made at baptism.
- Fidelity to the Spirit of Monastic Life – this promise expresses a commitment to live a life of spirituality, piety and balance
- Obedience to the Will of God – this is a promise to grow in discernment of God’s will through prayer, spiritual direction and faithfulness to one’s religious traditions. Obedience is not a series of acts grudgingly done, but the response of a willing heart in service to God.
Oblate life is formed through community. The oblate is affiliated spiritually with Saint Meinrad and thus shares in the prayer, work, love and commitment of the community.
(credit: St Meinrad Archabbey)
That seems like a lot of info for today, so I will continue tomorrow. Keep the questions coming and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.
PAX
Me, at my final oblation, preparing to read my covenant
St Meinrad Archabbey, December 4, 2021
Writes 4 Him 