One of the questions people ask when considering a vocation is, ‘what do you have to do become an Oblate priest or brother. However, with the blessing of the Abbot, we have now resumed accepting those, Clergy and Lay, who wish to become Benedictine Oblates of this Canonical Orthodox Western Rite Benedictine Monastery in America. As candidates they study The Rule and begin to adopt its practices. Becoming an Oblate. They seek a deeper relationship with God by following the ancient principles and practices of the Benedictine monastic way of life. Benedictine Oblates are Christian laypeople who seek to according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict (c. 480-c. 547) in their own life circumstances. Benedictine Oblates ... Lay people who do this might wish to become an Oblate or an Associate of the Abbey and making a promise of commitment. If you answer "Yes" to the above questions, you may want to become an Oblate of a Benedictine Monastery. OBLATES/VOCATIONS . Monastery of St. Benedict of the Copts lay andordained; Catholic and non-Catholic Christians; retired They live in their own homes and sometimes make retreat in the monastery. The Rule guides their Christian lives in their families, parishes or churches, workplaces, and in the world. 2, 17 Street Mokattam Cairo – Egypt, Monastery of St. Anthony Becoming a Benedictine Oblate A Christian person, lay or ordained, who wishes to become a Benedictine oblate of St. Meinrad Archabbey must: Be of upright character and have an earnest desire for spiritual advancement according to the Christian ideas set forth in the Rule of St. Benedict. Oblates pray for the community of Emmanuel Monastery and for the other Oblates. Through their relationship with the Monks and with other Oblates, they grow in their ability to live The Rule faithfully and mindfully hence, carrying the Benedictine spirituality into the modern world. What follows are the basic steps. People who are interested in becoming an Oblate usually begin by contacting the Oblate Director, then attending a few meetings as an Inquirer. From the Benedictine point of view, being a member of another group is not a hindrance to becoming an Oblate, as long as the other group is open to following the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict. Step One: Meet with local Oblate brother or priest. A great companion for your meditation practice, the app includes a simple meditation timer as well as the latest news and resources from WCCM. You become an oblate by taking promises, akin to the vows outlined by St. Benedict in his Rule: obedience, stability, and conversion of life. We are a recently established Benedictine Community in Egypt known as St. Benedict of the Copts; a monastery of the Benedictine Congregation of Sankt Ottilien, established in the Coptic Catholic Patriarchate of Alexandria with houses in Cairo and Ismailia. For the past couple of years there was a moratorium on accepting any more Oblates. As candidates they study The Rule and begin to adopt its practices. Help us to become … Please stay safe. Two or three visits to the monastery and attendance at the annual Oblate Retreat Weekend are required to be enrolled as an Oblate candidate. Visit www.oblatevocations.com. They commit themselves to living the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict in their own state of life, as lay people, or even clerics, living in the world rather than in the monastery. An oblate is anyone who wishes to deepen their relationship with Christ by living the Rule of St. Benedict according to the Constitution of a given Benedictine Monastery. Oblates make an oblation (offering of self) to live the values of the Rule of Benedict in their own particular circumstances. Rev. You will be made welcome and can get a feel for the local life of the global oblate community. Ismailia – Egypt If they discern that they are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, they choose to formally become Oblate Candidates. The history quotes Blessed William's description of claustral oblates: "The Interns or Regular Oblates lived in the monastery and submitted to its discipline without, however, making formal vows." (Contact us for more information). While the Third Orders are attached to their chapter, Oblates are attached to a specific monastic house and … The WCCM Oblate Path is a contemporary contemplative way of living an ancient option in the monastic tradition. The Oblate Life. They study and ponder the Rule of St. Benedict which emphasizes on prayer, humility, silence, community building and obedience. Oblates pray for the community of Emmanuel Monastery and for the other Oblates. Oblate Candidates meet with a Sister and Oblate Mentor to grow in understanding Benedictine values and to mutually discern their call to be a Benedictine Oblate. Laura Tenisci receives the Rule of Benedict from Sister Sharon McDonald, OSB, prioress. Living their present vocation in life, they seek to incorporate Benedictine Gospel values into their daily living. Becoming an Oblate: Christians who are interested in becoming Oblates normally begin by contacting the Oblates Director. Becoming an Oblate. Comparable to the formation of a monk, an Oblate may come to Oblate meetings, speak with an Oblate director, and study to discern if this is where God is leading him or her for spiritual growth. Michael Peterson, the history's author, noted how the concepts of claustral oblate and regular oblate were defined by Blessed William, Abbot of Hirschau, in the 11th century. If they discern well and are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, they choose to formally become Oblate Candidates. For the past couple of years there was a moratorium on accepting any more Oblates. Occasionally, even clergy become Benedictine oblates – the most contemporary being Pope Benedict XVI, who had a great admiration for the father of Western monasticism and his namesake. OBLATURE MORATORIUM LIFTED. By clicking accept, you are consenting the use of all cookies. Oblates normally associate with one of the Benedictine monasteries, which is their “stable” monastic “home base” unless they transfer their oblation to a closer monastery after moving. Benedictine oblates are people seeking to serve God in their chosen way of life. At the time of their oblation, after a certain period of study and prayer, they make commitments to: Christians who are interested in becoming Oblates normally begin by contacting the Oblates Director. becoming an oblate It took me a long time to take my first step as an Oblate – which is where I am today. Benedictine Oblates differ only slightly. For those who, in dialogue with those on the Novitiate Team, ask to become Oblates and are accepted, the year concludes with the first formal commitment to the Order, the making of First Vows. THE OBLATE’S PRAYER O Loving God, We ask your blessing on all the Oblates of Saint Benedict, on those with whom we are affiliated, and on all Benedictines throughout the world. At larger WCCM events and retreats there are nearly always oblates involved – such as at the annual John Main Seminar and national conferences or national retreats – whether organized by the meditation community locally, nationally or internationally. Once a person enrolls as an Oblate Novice, there is at least a year and a day of formation. During the ceremony you make an initial promise, receive a blessed medal of St. Benedict, and the BECOMING AN OBLATE : FIRST STEPSIf you would like to explore this Benedictine path as a way of life growing out of your meditation we will be happy to help you understand what it involves. Any baptized man or woman who wants to deepen their relationship with Christ through the Benedictine … There are four things necessary to be an oblate: A commitment to reform one’s life by following the Rule; Affiliation with a particular Benedictine community by a formal, public commitment; Maintaining as close a contact as possible with that community to learn about the unique Benedictine commitment to Christian witness. If you answer "Yes" to the above questions, you may want to become an Oblate of a Benedictine Monastery. When ready, the person discusses this with the Oblate director, and enters into a formal period of formation, which usually lasts a year. Become A Benedictine Oblate WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN OBLATE BENEDICTINE Oblate Benedictine are Orthodox or Catholic men and women, married or single, who live in the world and enjoy and support their families while holding down their usual employment and social ties. This website uses cookies to ensure all users get the best experiences. Becoming an Oblate: Christians who are interested in becoming Oblates normally begin by contacting the Oblates Director. Oblates are Christian laypeople of any age and of any Christian faith. Expectations of Oblates Cairo – Egypt Occasionally, even clergy become Benedictine oblates – the most contemporary being Pope Benedict XVI, who had a great admiration for the father of Western monasticism and his namesake. Recognizing that Benedictine oblates are a diverse and ever-changing lot, and found throughout the world in a wide variety of circumstances, The Oblate Life embraces this richness of oblate expression and offers guidance for lifelong spiritual formation in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Christian individuals or families who haveassociated themselves with a Benedictine community in order to enrich their Christian way of life Christians of all faith denominations may become oblates and may be married or single. Oblates can be male or female, single or married, baptised Christians of any denomination. OBLATURE MORATORIUM LIFTED. Email: oblates@osbegypt.com. After a certain period in which they study and live The Rule and increase their connections with other Oblates and the Monks of our community, Candidates may request to make their Oblation at a ceremony celebrated in our Community Chapel and presided over by the Prior of our Community. The Oblate Life is published by Liturgical Press. One of the gifts of being an oblate is the opportunity to extend a Benedictine presence from Saint Benedict’s Monastery to parishes, churches and civic organizations. During this year some feel called to become Oblates – they have a sense of peace and being at home – while others find religious life is not for them and decide to leave. Benedictine oblates are people seeking to serve God in their chosen way of life. decide that you want to be an oblate and upon approval by the monastery (typically by a Director of Oblates) you participate in an initial brief ceremony to become an oblate novice. Benedictine Oblates differ only slightly. In Christianity (especially Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Methodist), an oblate is a person who is specifically dedicated to God or to God's service.. Oblates are individuals, either laypersons or clergy, normally living in general society, who, while not professed monks or nuns, have individually affiliated themselves with a monastic community of their choice. The Prior & Oblates Director, Monastery of St. Benedict of the Copts Ismailia Agriculture Road This is another opportunity to talk with them and share your questions in person. They have a spiritual affiliation with the particular monastery in which they make their oblation. He stands in the company of Dorothy Day, Thomas More, Thomas Becket and St. Thomas Aquinas, to name a few. One of the gifts of being an oblate is the opportunity to extend a Benedictine presence from Saint Benedict’s Monastery to parishes, churches and civic organizations. 2, 17 Street Mokattam The article ‘Monastics in the World’ will help to see what the oblate life might mean for you. People who are interested in becoming an Oblate usually begin by contacting the Oblate Director, then attending a few meetings as an Inquirer. These promises–taken initially for a year as an oblate novice before taking them permanently–do not bind under pain of sin. Maintain connection with the Oblate community and the monastery, usually through monthly meetings. Oblates of St Benedict are principally lay men and women but also clerics associated in a special way with a Benedictine monastery. Any gift, no matter how small, will help us sustain this work and achieve our mission of nurturing Christian meditation inclusively around a world in greater need than ever of contemplative wisdom. After the first initial enquiries about our vocation, the first practical step to discerning whether one is called to become a Tyburn Nun, is to live-in.. Living-in with the Community means actually living with the Community, sharing its life of prayer in the Divine Office and Eucharistic Adoration, its work, lessons, and recreation. If they discern well and are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, they choose to formally become Oblate Candidates. However, with the blessing of the Abbot, we have now resumed accepting those, Clergy and Lay, who wish to become Benedictine Oblates of this Canonical Orthodox Western Rite Benedictine Monastery in America. The UK Oblates Team are a small group of volunteer oblates from various monasteries who, since the first World Oblates Congress in 2005, have formed a team to act as a conduit for information for oblates and thus established this website for oblates and monastic communities, who may wish to … Becoming a Benedictine Oblate What is an Oblate? 1. The house in Mokattam, Cairo is named after St. Benedict and the one in Ismailia after St. Anthony. Receive weekly mailings to support your meditation journey and your daily practice. If they discern that they are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, they choose to formally become Oblate Candidates. Fr. Oblates renew their commitment annually. You will find basic vision by reading John Main’s Community of Love.The article ‘Monastics in the World” below is also important to reflect on.The first step in seeing if the WCCM Oblate They have a spiritual affiliation with the particular monastery in which they make their oblation. Oblates already play many key roles that would have been unlikely just 50 years ago. July 7, 2019 Oblate Sunday.Learn more and to RSVP.. July 21, 2019 Benedictine Circle, book discussion group 1:15 pm to 4:00 pm meets in the retreat library on the third floor of the abbey.. We are exploring Conferences 9 and 10 On Prayer, by John Cassian. Maximilian OSB Benedictine Oblates are active Christian men and women who, in seeking God, make a commitment to a particular Benedictine monastery. Currently, there are over 400 Jamberoo Abbey Oblates spread across five countries. Email: info@osbegypt.com, BENEDICTINE MONKS OF EGYPT © 2018 All rights reserved. They continue to attend Oblate meetings regularly. Best of all is to make contact with you nearest Oblate Cell. Help us to become … Oblates are affiliated with particular monasteries. Here are the steps to becoming an Benedictine oblate: Submit an application for acceptance into the oblate community. Guests of … Christians of all faith denominations may become oblates and may be married or single. Who may become an oblate? Become A Benedictine Oblate WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN OBLATE BENEDICTINE Oblate Benedictine are Orthodox or Catholic men and women, married or single, who live in the world and enjoy and support their families while holding down their usual employment and social ties. Enrichments Days and Meditation Workshops, Training Teachers to Meditate with Children, The World Community for Christian Meditation. The period of formation assists the Oblate Novice to understand Benedictine Values and Spirituality, and how these can be experienced and expressed in daily living. Oblates are affiliated with particular monasteries. Living-in. After also asking Fr Laurence about it, I become a Benedictine… Once enrolled, candidates enter into a one-year study of the Rule of St. Benedict and discern their readiness for final oblation at the end of that year. THE OBLATE’S PRAYER O Loving God, We ask your blessing on all the Oblates of Saint Benedict, on those with whom we are affiliated, and on all Benedictines throughout the world. The wisdom of the Rule of St Benedict helps meditators shape a lifestyle that grows from and supports daily practice and the integration of all aspects of one’s life, family, work, friends, social responsibility. Saint Leo Abbey Oblates COMING UP . The Rule of Saint Benedict becomes the central focus in this period of formation. From the Benedictine point of view, being a member of another group is not a hindrance to becoming an Oblate, as long as the other group is open to following the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict. Becoming a Benedictine Oblate What is an Oblate? The length of discerning may take a year or longer. Of course professed religious have a commitment to their own Rule which would exclude their becoming Oblates. They continue to attend Oblate meetings regularly. When the sisters of Red Plains Monastery in Piedmont, Oklahoma left several years ago to join the monastic community in Atchison, Kansas, they left behind a number of oblates they had trained to become … Of course professed religious have a commitment to their own Rule which would exclude their becoming Oblates. Lay Catholic men and women who become Oblates are under the spiritual guidance of the monastery and are recommended to attend Oblate … Put a priority on daily prayer, especially some portion of the Liturgy of the Hours. I first came across the Rule when I pulled the book by chance from my scholarly, clergyman father’s bookshelf when I was 17, 70 years ago. If you feel called to become an Oblate affiliated to the Jamberoo Monastery, contact: Due to Covid-19, all events will be held virtually. OBLATES/VOCATIONS . It was in 2002 that Trish Panton gave me information about Benedictine Oblates, when she became Coordinator of Australian Oblates. Becoming an Oblate. While the Third Orders are attached to their chapter, Oblates are attached to a specific monastic house and are literally considered part of that community. He stands in the company of Dorothy Day, Thomas More, Thomas Becket and St. … Benedictine Fr. If they discern well and are drawn to Benedictine spirituality, they choose to formally become Oblate Candidates. Become a Benedictine Oblate Lay men and women - that is, members of the public - are welcome to consider applying to become a Benedictine Oblate at St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth, joining a growing number of like-minded people from all walks of life who live the Rule of Saint Benedict in their daily lives under the spiritual guidance of the monastery. Meet with Janis Dopp, Saint Meinrad's director of Benedictine Oblates. Oblates make an oblation (offering of self) to live the values of the Rule of Benedict in their own particular circumstances. 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