Guidelines for Oblates
5. 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 living God and man in thought, word, and deed.28
- 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.”29
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.31
- They pay their laborers a just wage and give their own employers an honest return in labor for the wages they receive.32
- They protect the rights of the poor and helpless, the oppressed and the persecuted, and all who are victims of injustice of any kind.33
- 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.34
- 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.35
6. Oblates Foster a Spirit of Community
- They love the Benedictine community to which they are affiliated as Oblates.36
- They keep in touch with their community through their Director of Oblates.
- They let others know about their monastic community, support its apostolic works, and encourage young men and women in their vocations to the monastic life.
- They visit the monastery or convent occasionally, become familiar with the monastic life, and assist at the community Mass 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.
Very well written. Covers most all questions Novices and Oblates might offer. Clearly states our responsibilities as Oblates to our Abbot, community, each other and the world. Thank you for adding this to our website: much needed and hopefully will give us good direction!
PAX
“Oblates of St. Benedict are Christian men and women admitted into spiritual union and affiliation with a Benedictine community of monks or nuns, so that they may share in the spiritual life, prayers, and good works of the community”
The above section of the Guidelines is the central and essential part of oblate life for me — how being an oblate must be about the “journey to dwell with God.”