Guidelines for Oblates
7. 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! .37
- 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.38
RB = Rule of St. Benedict
Vat II = by chapter, page references refer to The Documents of Vatican II, edited by Walter M. Abbot, S.J.
- Vat II, Church Today, 43, p 244.
- RB Prolog: “The Lord seeks His worker.”
- Vat II, Church Today, 43, p 243.
- RB ch 73: “this least of Rules;” Prolog: “Faith and good works,”
- RB ch 2: “Teachings of abbot a leaven of divine justice;” ch 7, 8th degree of humility: “example of seniors;” ch 60: “example of humility;” ch 61: “instructed by his example;” ch 27: “imitate loving example of Good Shepherd;” cf. also Vat II, Missions, 11, p 597.
- RB ch 57: quotation from I Pet 4:11.
- Vat II, Laity, 2, p 491.
- RB ch 27-28: the excommunicated; cf Vat II, Ecumenism, 4, pp 348-349; Laity, 31, a), p 519.
- Vat II, Missions, 11, p 597.
- Vat II, Laity, 4, p 493.
- Vat II, Laity, 16, p 507.
- RB ch 38, 42, 47, 48, 49, 73, on reading of Scripture; Vat II, Revelation, 21, p 125.
- RB ch 38; Vat II, Revelation, 25, p 127; Liturgy, 51-52, p 155.
- RB ch 49, on work; ch 4, 7, 19, 58, 0. the presence of God and seeking God; Vat II, Liturgy, 7, pp 140-141.
- RB ch 58, on hard and rugged ways; ch 55, 48, on manual labor; ch 7, 6th degree of humility; ch 4, instruments of good works; Vat II, The Church, 41, p 70.
- RB Prolog, at end; ch 25, 52, on penance and satisfaction; ch 7, 4th degree of humility; Vat II, The Church, 41, p 70.
- RB ch 4, 31, 55, 59, 59, 66, on care of needy and poor; Vat II, Laity, 31, pp 519-520.
- RB ch 4, instruments of good works; ch 55 and other parts of Rule on concern for the poor and needy; cf. preceding note 16.
- RB ch 59 and 63, the sons of nobles and of the poor, and training of boys; Vat II, Education, 1, p 639.
- RB ch 7, 6th degree of humility; ch 58, on property; Vat II, the Church Today, 72, p 282.
- RB ch 7, 1st degree of humility; ch 58, on receiving the brethren; ch 3, on discipline and observance; Vat II, Ecumenism, 6, p 350.
- RB ch 66 and 73; Vat II, Religious Life, 2, p 468.
- RB ch 3, 4, 7, the 5th degree of humility; Vat II, The Church, 37, p 64.
- RB ch 35, 38, 63, reference to Mass and Communion; ch 60 and 62, reference to the priesthood; Vat II, Liturgy, 11-14, pp 143-144.
- RB ch 8 to 20 inclusive; Vat II, Liturgy, 100, p 167.
- RB ch 8 to 20, praying of psalms; Vat II, Liturgy, 90, p 165.
- Vat II, Liturgy, 13, p 143.
- RB Prolog, good works; ch 7, 4th degree of humility; ch 4, good works; ch 55, the poor; Vat II, Laity, 4, p 493.
- Mt 6:33 and 10:16; RB ch 61.
- RB ch 2, 3, 63, 41, 9, 11, 20, 52, 6, 63, 65, 60, 4; Vat II, Church Today, 29, pp 227-228.
- RB ch 4; Vat II, Religious Freedom, 2-7, pp 678-688.
- RB ch 57; Vat II, Church Today, 67, p 275.
- Vat II, Church Today, 69, p 278.
- RB ch 64; Prolog, “weapons of obedience;” ch 1; Vat II, The Church, 41, p 70.
- RB ch 41 to 64; ch 22, 70, 41, 40.
- RB ch 55; ch 3 and 4; ch 17, 21, etc.
- Vat II, Church Today, 78, p 290.
- Vat II, Church Today, 78, p 291.
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.”