The Benedictine Oblate program is an optional opportunity within the Western Rite
that some people have found to be very rewarding. St. Columba is one of several
western rite congregations that are in the process of developing a Benedictine
Oblate program. Fr. Les has become an Oblate under the obedience of the Monastery of Christ the Savior. What follows below is
a description of the Oblate program. It is one of the many options and opportunities
that are available for spiritual growth and renewal in the Orthodox Western Rite.
INTRODUCTION
St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-550) has been called the Patriarch of Western
Monasticism. Little is known of his life other than the fact that he was
educated in Rome, where the licentiousness of contemporary society led him
to withdraw from the world and retire to a cave to live as a hermit. His
spiritual kinship was with the desert fathers of the East and he reflected
their asceticism and self discipline throughout his life. A community
gradually grew up around him and he established twelve monasteries of twelve
monks each, with abbots appointed by himself. Later, local jealousy caused
him to move with a small band of monks to Monte Cassino where he remained
until his death. It was there that he composed his Rule which laid the
foundation for many monastic communities which exist until today. He
remained a layman throughout his life and apparently never intended to found
an order for clergy.
Sadly, the Great Schism of the Western Church from Orthodoxy in 1054 took
with it the great establishments and spirituality of Benedictine
monasticism. There are now those within the Orthodox Church who believe that
the time has come to restore the Benedictine rule and spirituality to the
Church of its origins, by recognizing once again that St. Benedict and the
Order which he founded were products of Western Orthodox Christianity. Not
many, of course, are able to adopt the full ascetical commitment of St.
Benedict and his monks by withdrawing completely from the world. Still,
there are those who, while living in the world, wish to identify as much as
possible with the Rule of St. Benedict and his spirituality. These
individuals, men and women, whom we call Oblates practice prayer and good
works but are without lifetime vows, rules of enclosure, celibacy, or
surrender of property. Their mission is essentially that of exercising a
very active role in the Church's mission to the world. Spiritually
associated with a Benedictine community, they pledge themselves to order
their lives in accord with the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict.
They are therefore encouraged to be faithful witnesses of Christ by striving
to bring the Gospel message and God's way of holiness to the world around
them. This is, in fact, the chief reason for their being Oblates of St.
Benedict.
In order that the lives of Oblates may be a true and effective response to
the call of God and His Church, these guidelines have been written to help
Oblates in their mission as lay apostles, so that they can openly bear
witness to Christ and promote the salvation of mankind.
CONSTITUTION
1. Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian men and women who join in spiritual union
with the ancient Benedictine tradition of daily prayer and study.
2. Oblates do not live in the monastic house of the community, yet they remain
one with Benedictine tradition while they continue faithfully to carry out the
duties of their particular state in life and occupation, wherever they may be.
3. Within the framework of their daily lives in the world, Oblates strive to lead
full Christian lives enlightened by personal efforts to understand Christ's teaching
in the Scriptures as interpreted by St. Benedict in his Rule for monks. Oblates
are guided and inspired by their continued spiritual association with the Benedictine
tradition.
4. Oblates are a spiritual arm of the Benedictine tradition, reaching out into
all areas of life, seeking to share with others what they themselves gain as Oblates
of St. Benedict. Their affiliation with a community of monks or nuns is not therefore
for their own personal good alone. It is chiefly by their Christian example, even
by their very presence among others, that they hope to bring St. Benedict's ideal
of service to God and man into the world where they live and work.
5. Since Oblates of St. Benedict primarily offer themselves for the service
of God and man, they will therefore strive for God's honor and glory before
all else, keeping in mind the Benedictine motto: "That in all things God may
be glorified."
GUIDELINES FOR OBLATES
OBLATES STRIVE TO BE LOYAL AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.
Oblates involve themselves in the full life of the Church, "sharing in the
priestly, prophetic, and royal office of Christ...being witnesses to Christ
and promoting the salvation of mankind." They foster the ecumenical spirit and meet with those not of the Orthodox
Faith, strive to understand the religious beliefs and customs of others,
look for teachings on which others agree with them, enter into friendly
discussion of teachings on which there is disagreement, put aside all
prejudice, and foster the spirit of universal brotherhood in God our Father.
They seek to be true lay apostles according to their abilities and the
circumstances of their lives, with a spirit of mission, a spirit of vocation
from God through the Holy Spirit working in them, eager to help in
proclaiming and spreading the Word of God to the ends of the earth.
Oblates recognize that their success as lay apostles depends on their living
in close union with the Spirit of Christ in the Church, and that this
intimate union with the Lord is especially nourished in the sacrament of the
Eucharist. Service to others will then be the immediate effect of true union
with Christ.
OBLATES STRIVE FOR THEIR OWN CONTINUED CHRISTIAN RENEWAL AND IMPROVEMENT.
As their states in life permit, Oblates make use of various means for
improving themselves spiritually, intellectually, culturally, and socially,
by making a Retreat, a Day of Recollection or Renewal, attending a Workshop,
Seminar, Lecture, or Prayer Meeting, as occasion offers from time to time.
They make the study and reading of Holy Scripture an important part of their
lives, concentrating especially on the Gospel teachings of Christ.
They listen attentively to the public proclamation of the Word of God, and
to the homily of the priest as he shows how the Word of God is applied to
daily life.
OBLATES STRIVE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN OF PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY.
They combine prayer and work by living and working in the presence of God,
aware of God's presence everywhere, knowing that God is nearer to them than
they think.
They are patient and content with their lot in life in so far as they cannot
change it for something better, calmly and courageously accepting the
sufferings and hardships which sooner or later come to everyone.
They practice patience, especially by accepting the daily crosses and
burdens of life willingly and bravely, with full trust in God, no matter how
heavy these burdens may be, knowing that God can turn sufferings into
blessings.
They are generous and warmhearted to the poor, the needy, the unfortunate,
the sick, the sad, the afflicted, and the lonely.
They are concerned about the needs of others, regardless of race,
nationality, creed, sex, age, occupation, profession, or social status.
They give generously of themselves in working for the religious education
and Christian formation of youth. They faithfully fulfill the duties of
their states in life, especially with regard to the care of their families
and dependents.
They practice the spirit of poverty, by not being unduly attached to
material things, by thanking God for what they have, and by using God's
gifts in a sensible way for the glory of God and the good of mankind.
They seek the Christian reformation or constant renewal of their lives by
fostering the spirit of obedience, stability and fidelity in accord with the
three Benedictine vows or principles of Christian living which St. Benedict
asks his followers to practice.
They often read some part of the Rule of St. Benedict and meditate on how it
can be applied to their lives. They seek guidance and instruction when they
are in doubt or troubled.
OBLATES STRIVE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN OF PRAYER.
They highly esteem the Divine Liturgy and take an active and intelligent
part in the celebration of the sacred mysteries of the altar.
They strive each day to pray some part of the Divine Office or Liturgy of
the Hours, as the circumstances of their lives permit.
They strive to appreciate the beauty and spiritual wealth contained in the
Psalms which form the core of the Church's prayer.
They harmonize their private and public prayers and devotions with the
liturgical seasons and feasts of the year.
OBLATES STRIVE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUE.
Oblates proclaim and practice the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and
charity, by believing, hoping, and trusting in God, and loving God and man
in thought, word, and deed.
Oblates foster a positive Christian attitude toward the many other virtues
flowing from the practice of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
They observe Christian prudence, which is true divine wisdom, by directing
their lives to the final attainment of God, who is known to them by faith
and loved by them through charity. They therefore use the means provided
them in prayer and the sacraments. Prudence guides them "in seeking first
the kingdom of God and His way of holiness" and teaches them" to be wise as
serpents and innocent as doves."
They exercise the Christian virtue of justice by recognizing their personal
and social moral responsibilities toward individual persons, toward their
community, city, state, and nation, and toward human society in general, by
striving for the common welfare of all.
They foster a deep respect for the God-given rights of others, especially
for human life, for the property of others, for freedom of religion, for the
privacy of the home, for the right of all to know the truth and to speak the
truth, for freedom in the education of one's children, for the right as well
as the duty to work and provide for oneself and one's dependents.
They pay their laborers a just wage and give their own employers an honest
return in labor for the wages they receive.
They protect the rights of the poor and the helpless, the oppressed and the
persecuted, and all who are victims of injustice of any kind.
They practice Christian fortitude or courage by seeking to do God's will at
all times without fear of the difficulties and sacrifices involved, bearing
the burdens and trials of life with calm trust in God's mercy and goodness.
They practice Christian temperance or moderation by making use of the good
things of life in the way God intended them to be used for the good of
mankind.
OBLATES FOSTER A SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY.
They love the Benedictine community to which they are affiliated as Oblates.
They keep in touch with their community through their Director of Oblates.
They let others know about their spiritual community, support its apostolic
works, and encourage young men and women in their vocations to the monastic
life.
They visit a monastery or convent occasionally, become familiar with the
monastic life, and assist at the community Liturgy and community prayer
whenever this is possible. They tell others about the Oblates of St.
Benedict and encourage them to become Oblates if they seem to be in search
of such a special way of life in the world.
They foster the spirit of community in their own family circle, and within
the groups and organizations to which they belong.
OBLATES ARE MEN AND WOMEN OF PEACE.
They use all rightful means for establishing peace in the world around them,
mindful of the centuries old Benedictine watchword: PEACE!
They strive to practice the truth of God in love and join all true
peacemakers in pleading for peace and working to bring it about.
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