Oblates

How do I become an Oblate?

If you are looking for more in your spiritual journey, consider the Benedictine Oblate program.

This opportunity is open to:

• Men and women (18 and over)
• Christians of any denomination, state of life, and education background
• Are you called to be a Benedictine Oblate?

An Oblate…

• “offers one’s self in prayer and service within one’s dedicated family or single lifestyle”
• Seeks God daily through study, prayer and conversion of life
• Affiliates oneself formally with a particular Benedictine monastery while continuing to live in one’s own home and locale

Dedicating Yourself to God as an Oblate means:

• Growing in God’s love and awareness of the presence of God in self and others
• Seeing self as a steward and handle God’s gifts with gratitude and responsibility
• Becoming holy in your chosen way of life by integrating prayer and work, manifesting Christ’s presence in society
• Sharing in the Spiritual life of prayer and good works of the community.

As Oblates, there is a connection to our Monastic Community…..

• Receiving the prayer support of the Sisters and praying for their intentions.
• Binding oneself by a promise in sharing the Benedictine way of life and monastic values.
• Gathering with others who share the same vision.
• Carrying monastic values into the world by applying the teachings of the Rule of Benedict in daily living and service of others. “The Benedictine way of life is a journey in living the values of the Gospel each day.”

Sister Lydia Armenta, OSB is the Director of the Oblate program. She can be contacted at 602-527-4975.

Nevada Deanery

“The Benedictine way of life is a journey in living the values of the Gospel each day.”

On Wednesday, January 4th, 2017, three members of St. Gall parish in Gardnerville, Craig Fiske, Joanne Fiske, and Carmen Bowman, were accepted as new Oblates of St. Benedict and Mary Johnson transferred her affiliation to the Benedictine Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Phoenix AZ. Sister Linda Campbell OSB and Sister. Lydia Armenta OSB came to do the installation and renewal of vows for the St. Gall Benedictine community. Last year most of the Gardnerville Benedictines transferred their affiliation from the Sisters of Bristol VA Monastery to OLG Monastery in AZ. This monastery was willing to accept and mentor the Benedictine group.

To become an oblate, you must be a man or woman (18 or over) of any Christian denomination, married or single, who is looking for more in your spiritual journey. An Oblate offers one’s self in prayer and service; seeks God daily through study, prayer, and conversion of life; affiliates oneself formally with a particular Benedictine monastery while continuing to live in one’s own home and locale. Dedicating Yourself to God as an Oblate means:

• Grow in God’s love and awareness of the presence of God in self and others.
• See yourself as a steward and handle God’s gifts with gratitude and responsibility.
• Become holy in your chosen way of life by integrating prayer and work, manifesting Christ’s presence in society.
• Share in the Spiritual life of prayer and good works of the community.

As Oblates, there is a connection to the Monastic Community in Arizona … Receiving the prayer support of the Sisters and praying for their intentions. Binding oneself by a promise in sharing the Benedictine way of life and monastic values. Gathering with others who share the same vision. Carrying monastic values into the world by applying the teachings of the Rule of Benedict in daily living and the service of others.

The St. Gall Benedictine Community meets at 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, September through June, in the Corinthians classroom of St. Gall Pastoral Center, 1343 Centerville Ave, Gardnerville, NV 89410. For more information contact Sister Lydia Armenta, OSB is the Director of the Oblate program at 623-848-9608.

Oblate's Prayer

O Loving God

I ask your blessing this day

on all the Oblates of Saint Benedict

and those with whom we are affiliated.

Help us to become people of prayer and peace.

Though scattered far and wide,

help us to be together

in the spirit of your love.

Give us hearts wide enough

to embrace each other

as well as those

whose lives we touch.

Enable us to listen and to learn

from each other

and those around us each day.

May we be models

in our homes, neighborhoods,

and communities

of wise stewardship,

dignified human labor,

sacred leisure,

and reverence for all living things.

Above all, O God, may our presence

among others

be a constant witness of justice,

compassion and hope to all.

Amen

Author: Bibi Hernandez

Oblate Bibi Hernandez is a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe community. She has written two books and all profits benefit the monastery. Bibi is an Oblate of St. Benedict at Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been married for 43 years to her wonderful husband, Greg; they have one daughter, Danielle and two beautiful grandsons, Ryker and Troy. Bibi draws her inspiration from the children that grace her life, especially but not exclusively, her grandsons. She finds joy in their joy, and knows that God’s Kingdom is alive in the hearts of the children. She believes that old and young are meant to learn from each other and welcomes every opportunity to teach the young, as well as, learn from them. She is truly blessed to be part of the community of Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery and grateful for the relationships she has made there. She found true sisters and brothers in Christ, at the Monastery. She will continue to write and illustrate as long as children leave their footprints on her heart and God wills it.

Benedictine Oblate Medals Now Available for Purchase

Our new Oblate of St. Benedict Medal was designed by Sister Linda Campbell, OSB and Lorien West. Since we could not locate a medal already designed that an Oblate could wear on either a chain or waxed cord, we designed one. We also found it important that the person wearing the medal could easily be identified as a Benedictine Oblate. As far as we could research no such medal existed. We did however find a pin, but we truly wanted one that could be used with a chain or chord.

This medal is 1 inch in diameter and 3mm [0.118”] thick; is made of a zinc base and brass coated and polished; the colors are soft enamel color filled. Each medal is packaged individually. The waxed cord can be purchased at Hobby Lobby stores.

The back of the medal is blank and can be engraved with the name of the Oblate and date of Oblation. Our Monastery does not have the ability to do engraving, but the purchaser may arrange their own engraving after medals are received.

To order the medals and review pricing, please complete the attached form: Oblate Medal Order Form

We hope that all Oblates enjoy this medal as much as our Oblates do. Thank you for your interest. Blessings always,

Sister Linda Campbell, OSB & The OLGM Community

Oblates Gallery