Oblate novice & final oblations March 21, 2014

Oblate novices
Abbot Isaac (center)
and Prior Stanislaw (left)

Click any picture to enlarge it

The ceremony for the reception of new oblate novices and the final oblations (promises to God) of those who have been oblate novices for at least a year was held at Saint Leo Abbey, Florida, on the feast of the passing of Saint Benedict, March 21, 2014.

The two ceremonies were held during Mass immediately after Abbot Isaac's homily on the qualities of monastic life.

Oblates make a commitment to live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict as their state in life permits.  It's a life of ancient Christian stability.  

A growing number of lay people who have jobs, a spouse, and live in the world know that following the Rule is a proven way to seek God.  

The Rule balances prayer and work (ora et labora) where all time is consecrated to God.  Although the Rule was written in 530 AD for monks as the West  experienced the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Rule's practices of prayer throughout the day, humility, and obedience fit remarkably well into modern life.

New oblate novices
at Saint Leo Abbey

Oblate novices spend a year discerning whether the oblate-life suits them.  They may choose to leave the program at any time, but most continue.  

There are many charisms in the Church, Benedictine spirituality is not for everyone.  That is why there is a process to become an oblate at Benedictine monasteries.

 Final oblations

The second ceremony on March 21 was the final oblations (promises to God -- not vows which are for monks, nuns, and sisters) by those oblate novices whose heart has been called to make a life-long commitment to the Rule and Saint Leo Abbey.

Becoming an oblate at Saint Leo Abbey, Florida

Monks in their choir stall in the foreground.

Final oblation signatures on the altar

Those making their final oblations sign a promise which is hand written and signed on the altar.

The deacon assisting during Mass 
is seated to the left. 

While there is no typical Benedictine oblate, the most common characteristic is a contemplative spirit toward God and detachment from the world. 

Beyond those characteristics, Saint Leo Abbey's oblate program has one of the youngest oblates in the US, clergy and members from Protestant churches, teachers, retired people, business owners, law enforcement officials, Anglicans, convert Catholics, revert Catholics, and cradle Catholics. As can be seen from the list, you do not need to be a Catholic to become a Benedictine oblate.

The signed oblations are left on the altar

The new oblates of Saint Leo Abbey 2014

More information about becoming an oblate at Saint Leo Abbey is here.

Everyone is invited to the Saint Leo Abbey oblate programs. The current calendar is here.  

Visitors and guests may attend and participate fully. The annual oblate-program retreat held in the fall of the year is often attended by nonoblates. 

To be added to the Saint Leo Abbey oblate email list which will delivery all announcements about meetings and events to your inbox, sign up for free here.

Resources for those wanting to learn more about Benedictine spirituality are here. 


The first part of the Rule:

"Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father, that by the toil of obedience thou mayest return to Him from whom by the sloth of disobedience thou hast gone away.

"To thee, therefore, my speech is now directed, who, giving up thine own will, takest up the strong and most excellent arms of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.

"In the first place, beg of Him by most earnest prayer, that He perfect whatever good thou dost begin, in order that He who hath been pleased to count us in the number of His children, need never be grieved at our evil deeds. For we ought at all times so to serve Him with the good things which He hath given us, that He may not, like an angry father, disinherit his children, nor, like a dread lord, enraged at our evil deeds, hand us over to everlasting punishment as most wicked servants, who would not follow Him to glory.

"Let us then rise at length, since the Scripture arouseth us, saying: "It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom 13:11); and having opened our eyes to the deifying light, let us hear with awestruck ears what the divine voice, crying out daily, doth admonish us, saying: "Today, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts" (Ps 94[95]:8). And again: "He that hath ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches" (Rev 2:7). And what doth He say? -- "Come, children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord" (Ps 33[34]:12). "Run whilst you have the light of life, that the darkness of death overtake you not" (Jn 12:35).

"And the Lord seeking His workman in the multitude of the people, to whom He proclaimeth these words, saith again: "Who is the man that desireth life and loveth to see good days" (Ps 33[34]:13)? If hearing this thou answerest, "I am he," God saith to thee: "If thou wilt have true and everlasting life, keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile; turn away from evil and do good; seek after peace and pursue it" (Ps 33[34]:14-15). And when you shall have done these things, my eyes shall be upon you, and my ears unto your prayers. And before you shall call upon me I will say: "Behold, I am here" (Is 58:9)."

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Quote from Rule is from the STIFT MELK website here.