How Can I Become An Oblate?

For information, contact: Sister Mary Rose Hammerling, OSB Director of Benedictine Oblates St. Benedict's Monastery 225 Masters Avenue Winnipeg,Manitoba, R4A 2A1 Canada Phone: (204) 338 4601 Fax: (204) 339 8775 E-mail: hammerlingosb@hotmail.com

What Is An Oblate?

Benedictine Oblates are Christian lay women and lay men who choose to affiliate themselves with St. Benedict's Monastery in order to share in the spiritual gifts of the community. After a year or more as a Candidate, Benedictine Oblates may make a formal 'Oblation'. -an offering of themselves to God, to live in accordance with the teaching of Benedict, in their own situation and lifestyle. Our Oblates are very ecumenical, coming from a variety of faith traditions including Anglican, Lutheran, Mennonite, Catholic and others.

What Does The Oblate Program Have To Offer?

• Monthly meetings including sessions, discussion and sharing.
• Evening Prayer and supper with the community following meetings.
• Monthly study sessions for Oblate Candidates.
• Two Oblate retreat days each year.
• Opportunity to participate in the Sisters' community conference retreat.
• Opportunity to render practical services to the community through becoming a volunteer.

A Living Tradition Benedict of Norcia, (480-547) wrote what he called 'A Little Rule for Beginners' in which there was to be 'nothing harsh, nothing burdensome'.(RB Prologue) His Rule, intended originally for monastic communities of men and women, is equally applicable to anyone who is 'truly seeking God' (RB 58) and who wants to make Christ; the centre of their lives. Benedict based his teaching on the Scriptures and the monastic tradition he had inherited from the past. Yet he adapted it to the needs of people in his own day. He invited his followers to live 'with the Gospel as their guide' with a listening heart, open to the call of the Spirit.

The Last Visit of Saints Scholastica and Benedict a 23 1/2" high clay sculpture, created by Helen E. Norman, may be found in the entryway at St. Benedict's Monastery.