Oblates are Christian individuals (and couples) who seek spiritual growth and fellowship by associating with our community. They shape their lives by incorporating the spirituality in the Rule of St. Benedict into their secular lives. Oblates seek to become holy in the world and to bring the world to God as witnesses of Christ through word and example to those around them. There are no prescribed religious practices or prayers in the daily life of an Oblate and they do not take religious vows like the monks and sisters do.
Our Oblate group meets monthly on the first Sunday of the month in the afternoon starting at 2 p.m. There is a time for getting acquainted with visitors and new people, a teaching for about 45 minutes, time for reflection on the teaching and then group sharing. Meanwhile those seeking to join the Oblate community take a separate class using a workbook learning the Benedictine spirituality from the Rule of St.Benedict. The Oblate day concludes with everyone participating in Vespers followed by a pot-luck supper.
Currently there are about 60 who have made oblation with the Benedictine Monastery of Hawaii. About 30-35 are still actively involved and regularly attending Oblate meetings. There are about 10 more who are Oblate novices, who have committed themselves to spending a year attending oblate days and learning Benedictine Spirituality in the hope of making oblation, (offering themselves to God).
For more information about the Oblate program and for those interestedin becoming Oblates, contact Br. Gregory Foret or Sr. Geralyn Spaulding at the monastery.
Oblate gathering, March 2009
Oblate Events coming:
Oblate Day in June: Will be on June 6. Mary Sheridan will continue her series about the Liturgy of the Hours. She will focus on Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Compline (Night Prayer)
Oblate Day in July: Will be on July 11, The Feast Day of St. Benedict. Note that this is on the 2nd Sunday. Br. Gregory will give a teaching about St. Benedict and Benedictine History.
