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What is an Oblate? An Oblate of St Benedict is a Christian man or woman who associates with a Benedictine community in order to enrich his/her Christian life. Oblates shape their lives by living the wisdom of Christ as expressed in the Rule of Saint Benedict.

A Christian person, lay or ordained, who wishes to become a Benedictine oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbey must: Be of upright character and have an earnest desire for spiritual advancement ing to the Christian ideas set forth in the Rule of St. Benedict. Not be an oblate of another monastery.

You become an oblate by taking promises, akin to the vows outlined by St. Benedict in his Rule: obedience, stability, and conversion of life. These promises–taken initially for a year as an oblate novice before taking them permanently–do not bind under pain of sin.

Those who make the commitment of Oblation formalize their intention to live the Gospel values found in the Rule, and they share in the spiritual life of the community. Oblates do not live in the monastery or make vows, but are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and to reflect and pray with Scripture daily.

You become an oblate by taking promises, akin to the vows outlined by St. Benedict in his Rule: obedience, stability, and conversion of life. These promises–taken initially for a year as an oblate novice before taking them permanently–do not bind under pain of sin.

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) are a Roman Catholic order of Priests and Brothers. They were established in Southern France in the early nineteenth century. While their initial efforts focused on the poor in rural France, in the 1840s they began undertaking international missionary work.