Oblate

For the geometrical concept, see Oblate spheroid. For edible films made of starch, see Oblaat.

In Christianity (especially in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist traditions), an oblate is a person who is specifically dedicated to God and 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. They make a formal, private promise (annually renewable or for life, depending on the monastery with which they are affiliated) to follow the Rule of the Order in their private lives as closely as their individual circumstances and prior commitments permit. Such oblates are considered an extended part of the monastic community. They are comparable to the tertiaries associated with the various mendicant orders.

The term "oblate" is also used in the official name of some religious institutes as an indication of their sense of dedication.

Origins and history

The word oblate (from the Latin oblatus – someone who has been offered) has had various particular uses at different periods in the history of the Christian church.

The children vowed and given by their parents to the monastic life, in houses under the Rule of St. Benedict, were commonly known by this term during the century and a half after its writing, when the custom was in vogue, and the councils of the Church treated them as monks. This practice continued until the Tenth Council of Toledo in 656 forbade their acceptance before the age of ten and granted them free permission to leave the monastery, if they wished, when they reached the age of puberty. The term puer oblatus (used after that Council) labels an oblate who had not yet reached puberty and thus had a future opportunity to leave the monastery, though puer oblatus can also refer to someone entering an abbey. At a later date the term "oblate" designated such lay men or women as were pensioned off by royal and other patrons upon monasteries or benefices, where they lived as in an almshouse or homes.

In the 11th century, Abbot William of Hirschau or Hirsau (died 1091), in the old diocese of Spires, introduced two kinds of lay brethren into the monastery:

1. the fratres barbati or conversi, who took vows but were not claustral or enclosed monks
2. the oblati, workmen or servants who voluntarily subjected themselves, while in the service of the monastery, to religious obedience and observance.

Afterwards, the different status of the lay brother in the several orders of monks, and the ever-varying regulations concerning him introduced by the many reforms, destroyed the distinction between the conversus and the oblatus.

The Cassinese Benedictines, for instance, at first carefully differentiated between conversi, commissi and oblati; the nature of the vows and the forms of the habits were in each case specifically distinct. The conversus, the lay brother properly so called, made solemn vows like the choir monks, and wore the scapular; the commissus made simple vows, and was dressed like a monk, but without the scapular; the oblatus made a vow of obedience to the abbot, gave himself and his goods to the monastery, and wore a sober secular dress.

In records from 1625, the conversus is reduced below the status of the commissus, inasmuch as he could make only simple vows for a year at a time; he was in fact indistinguishable, except by his dress, from the oblatus of a former century. Then, in the later Middle Ages, oblatus, confrater, and donatus became interchangeable titles, given to any one who, for his generosity or special service to the monastery, received the privilege of lay membership, with a share in the prayers and good works of the brethren.

Canonically, only two distinctions ever had any consequence:

1. that between those who entered religion "per modum professionis" and "per modum simplicis conversionis" the former being monachi and the latter oblati
2. that between the oblate who was "mortuus mundo" ("dead to the world," that is, who had given himself and his goods to religion without reservation), and the oblate who retained some control over his person and his possessions – the former only (plene oblatus) was accounted a persona ecclesiastica, with enjoyment of ecclesiastical privileges and immunity (Benedict XIV, "De Synodo Dioce.", VI).

Modern practices

Roman Catholic Oblates

Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law 303 and 677 §2 creates and approves associations such as the Benedictine Oblates and Third Orders which are of equal standing, and both take precedence over Confraternities and Pious Unions.^[1][2][3] Canon Laws of 2013 that apply or guide Oblate formation include Canons 684, 487-681, 685, 686.1-3, 692, 693.1, 705, 693.2-3, 693.1, 696, 700, 703, 704, 705, 682.^{[3] [4]}(Please use a cross-table of Canon Law to update.) In 1927, the Vatican Congregation for the Religious, currently known as the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life,^[5] promulgated the Statutes for Benedictine Oblates, ("Obl. O.S.B Statute) which governs all aspects of Catholic Oblates.^[6][7] "The relation between Oblates and the Benedictine Order is somewhat similar to the relationship between the Tertiaries and their respective First Order." Statute 11. The Oblate mottoes are: “UT IN OMNIBUS GLORIFICENTUR DEUS – That in all things, God may be glorified” and the simple word “PAX – Peace.” Statute 41.

How to Become A Catholic Benedictine Oblate

There are different members of a Benedictine Oblate community: Inquirer, Novice, Oblates Secular (who live outside the monastery) and Oblates Regular (who live inside the monastery). The Inquirer attends Mass and Oblate Meetings, prays with the community and monks, and participates in other Oblate activities. Inquirers may or may not seek to become Oblates, and have been non-Catholic, including Jewish and Protestant. The Inquirer applies to become an Oblate Novice in writing and of their own free will. Three months after applying, the Inquirer is enrolled as a Novice during an investiture ceremony. The three month wait may be waived "if the perseverance of the candidate can be relied upon." Statute 6. An Inquirer may apply multiple times to become a Novice. The Novice may receive a small black scapular of St. Benedict and if so, "from this time on, always to be worn under the ordinary garments." "One may receive permission to wear the medal of St. Benedict in the place of the scapular." Statute 6. Some monasteries instead, or in addition, give a copy of the Rule of Benedict.^[8] "A Certificate of Enrollment, signed by the officiant, should be given to each of the newly accepted Oblate Novices ...to be reminded when it is time to make their Final Oblation a year later...then, too, in case of death, the date of death should be noted on the certificate, and this in turn is to be sent to the monastery or convent, so that the community may pray for the deceased Oblate Novice." ^[8][7] The officiant should also see that each Novice provides himself with a Manual for Oblates.^[7] Once a Novice, the person is a candidate for Oblate at the monastery of enrollment or may seek that Abbott's written permission to transfer to another monastery. cf. Statute 10. For those monasteries that set a time limit on being a Novitiate, those who do not meet that deadline may become an Inquirer again and also may inquire of other Oblates and Third Orders. A Novice can terminate novitiate.

"A year and a day after this investiture, the Oblate Novice shall be allowed to make his final Act of Oblation in the presence of the Abbott or Prior." Statute 7. Unlike Statute 6, the Novitiate time for training is not waivable. During that year and a day, the Novice discerns whether they are called to be an Oblate, attends Novitiate classes, seeks to fully understand the actions of an Oblate, participates in Oblate activities, and meets or better knows the other members of the Benedictine community: Monks, Inquirers, Novitiate, and Oblates. After a Novice has been approved to become an Oblate, they may at the earliest make Final Oblation in a ceremony after a year and a day after Novitiate Investiture. The formula of Final Oblation is prepared beforehand and the chosen name of a Benedictine Saint as their personal special patron is inscribed after their own baptismal name. They should go to Confession prior and receive Holy Communion on the day of or a day before the Final Act of Oblation.^[7] Catholic Benedictine "Oblation is not a vow, nor is it irrevocable, but it is a deliberate resolve of the will made before God and man and confirmed by a sacred rite; it is worthy of high respect." Statute 2.  "For serious reasons, Oblates, if they so wish, may be transferred from one monastery to another by the Abbot of the monastery to which they wish to change, provided they have received the written consent of the Abbot of the monastery they are leaving." Statute 10.

Who Can Become A Catholic Benedictine Oblate

"[A]nyone of the faithful living in the world" can be received as oblates of a Catholic monastery, so long as they adhere to the Roman Catholic Statutes for Benedictine Oblates (which has led to Catholicism), is over the age of 15, is not a member of another Third Order or Benedictine Oblates, and has not been convicted of a pubic crime or sentenced to incarceration ("not a judgement as to one’s state of soul, but rather a judgment of externals public to all").^{[6] [2]} Faithful of either sex, as well as clerics and priests, and husbands and wives separately, but encouraged to be together, may become Catholic Benedictine Oblates. Statute 3. Inquirers have been Catholic and non-Catholic. However, Oblates have filial obedience to the Roman Pontiff, to their Bishops and priests, to their own Director, and to other ecclesiastical Superiors, as well as obey civil laws and authorities. Statute 17.

Special Privileges of Catholic Benedictine Oblates

The monks of an Oblate's respective monastery "may the more faithfully remember them before God." In private correspondence (not publicly) they may use the initials “Obl. O.S.B.” or Obl. SB” after their name. Oblates may be buried in the black monastic habit, scapular, and cincture. Statute 9, 11, 39.

Special Catholic Benedictine Oblate Days

Every Tuesday is Oblate Tuesday consecrated to the holy Father Benedict by assisting at Mass or some other good work. The principal feast of Oblates is the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (November 21), when Oblates renew their Act of Oblation. Oblates especially celebrate the feasts of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin (February 2), the holy Father Benedict (March 21), St. Henry, Emperor (July 15), and St. Frances of Rome, Widow (March 9). Statute 32, 36, 37.

Activities of Catholic Benedictine Oblates

Oblates "read and ponder over the Rule of our holy Father Benedict," "devote themselves to the practice of penance and prayer," "highly esteem those religious practices which are incumbent upon all the faithful, such as morning and evening prayers, devout assistance at Mass and other sacred functions on Sundays and holy days, prayers before and after meals," "zealously cultivate a special love for the sacred liturgy," assist "at the Divine Office chanted by the monks in choir, even on week days, or if this is not possible, they will at least unite with them in spirit,” "pray either the Divine Office or the Little Office of Our Lady," "worship of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and to the adoration of His most Sacred Heart," "cultivate a tender devotion to the Immaculate Mother of God, and pay all due honor to the Angels and Saints, in particular to St. Joseph and to our glorious Father Benedict, and to all the Saints of the Benedictine Order," "pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary [and] make the Way of the Cross," "pray earnestly for the triumph of holy Mother Church, for the spread of religion, for the extirpation of heresies and schisms, for the conversion of infidels, for the repentance of sinners, for the perseverance of the righteous, and for the relief of the souls in purgatory," "pray the Little Office of the Oblates, or five decades of the Rosary," "each morning, offer their actions of the day to God in honor of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in imitation of the example of St. Gertrude the Great,” each month, meditate for a half hour before the Blessed Sacrament, or at least during one Mass," and "receive holy Communion frequently, even daily, upon the advice of their confessor." Statute 18,13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 30, 34. There are other activities in the Statute of Benedictine Oblates.

Secular oblates

Many Benedictine communities still retain secular oblates. These are either clergy or laypeople affiliated in prayer with an individual monastery of their choice, who have made a formal private promise (annually renewable or for life) to follow the Rule of St. Benedict in their private life at home and at work as closely as their individual circumstances and prior commitments permit. The same is the case with Lutheran monasteries, such as Saint Augustine's House in Oxford, Michigan. Similarly in Methodist monasteries, non-Methodist Christians can be received as oblates. The same is the case with many Anglican monasteries, which accept non-Anglican Christians as oblates.

Conventual oblates

There is a number of conventual or claustral oblates, who live in a monastic community. If the person has not done so previously, after a year's probation they make a simple commitment of their lives to the monastery, which is received by the superior in the presence of the whole community. At the end of the canonical novitiate year, they make their oblation and promise obedience to the abbot, their willingness to share in monastic life and to place their own strengths at the disposal of the monastery and its mission. While the monks or nuns renounce all their own possessions with the solemn vows, a contract is concluded with the conventual oblates that regulates the mutual obligations. It also determines whether it is an oblation for a specific period of time or forever. The promise of an oblate can be dissolved by the oblate himself or by the abbot for a just reason.

Religious congregations that use "oblate" in their name

There are several religious orders (i.e., living the consecrated life according to church law) that use the word "oblate" in their name, or in an extended version of their common name. These are not oblates like the oblates (secular) and (regular), and should not be confused with them.

Examples include the:

• Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
• Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
• Oblates of the Virgin Mary
• Oblates of St Frances of Rome (founded 1433 in Italy, as a community of professed oblates living in common)
• Oblate Sisters of Providence
• Oblates of St. Joseph
• Oblates of Saints Ambrose and Charles

Notable oblates

• Saint Boniface
• Bede
• St. Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor
• St. Hildegard of Bingen
• St. Frances of Rome
• Servant of God Dorothy Day
• Kathleen Norris
• Walker Percy
• Gottschalk of Orbais
• Cardinal Francis Eugene George, O.M.I.
• Saint Bishop Eugene de Mazenod, O.M.I.
• Cardinal Jean-Marie Rodrigue Villeneuve, O.M.I.
• Servant of God Romano Guardini
• Blessed Hanna Chrzanowska

See also

• Third order

External links

• Congregation of the Servants of Christ at St. Augustine’s House
• Oblates of Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery
• Oblates of St. Frances of Rome
• International Benedictine Oblates
• Community of Jesus Oblates
• The Monastery of Our Lady and Saint Laurence, Orthodox