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 February On February 5th, Lisa Shorba, director of Rachel's Vineyard Ministries in Hawaii will speak. She will talk about the role of Rachel's Vineyard in ministering healing for those who have had an abortion or otherwise facilitated in providing one. Along with Ms. Shorba will be a couple and another witness who will provide brief testimonies.
Oblate Retreat in March On March 4, there will be the annual Oblate retreat at the monastery from 10 AM to 6 PM, given by the monastery community. The retreat will include a Sunday Mass, a light lunch, one or two short talks with a time for reflection, There will be Eucharistic Holy Hour that will include the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. The retreat will conclude with Vespers and a pot-luck supper.
Oblate Day in April On Palm Sunday, April 1. Speaker to be announced.
Oblate Day in May On May 6, Dallas Carter will return again to speak. His talk will be about how the sacraments were celebrated by the early church.
