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An Oblate of St Benedict

An Oblate of Saint Benedict is a Christian affiliated with a Benedictine monastery who seeks to live according to the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict while remaining in ordinary life. Oblates do not live in a monastery or take monastic vows. Instead, they carry out their responsibilities in family life, work, and society while sharing in the spiritual heritage of the Benedictine tradition.
The word oblate comes from the Latin oblatus, meaning “one who is offered.” Through an act of oblation, an oblate offers themselves to God and commits to following the values and teachings of Saint Benedict as a guide for Christian living. Oblates become part of the wider Benedictine family and maintain a spiritual connection with a particular monastery.
To be an oblate is to seek God in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. The Rule of Saint Benedict provides a practical framework for this journey, emphasising prayer, humility, obedience, stability, hospitality, and ongoing conversion of heart. These values help oblates grow in holiness and deepen their relationship with Christ.
Prayer is central to the life of an oblate. Many practise daily prayer, read Scripture regularly, and engage in lectio divina, the prayerful reading of the Bible. They seek to cultivate an awareness of God’s presence throughout the day and to unite prayer with daily work and service.
The Benedictine motto ora et labora—“pray and work”—captures the spirit of the oblate vocation. Through faithful prayer, service to others, and a commitment to Christian discipleship, oblates bring the wisdom, peace, and stability of the Benedictine tradition into the world.