The Oblate, at least with St. Meinrad Archabbey, makes the following promises at their oblation:
- Stability of Heart – This promise expresses the oblate’s commitment to a particular monastic community. Stability of heart reaffirms the basic promise of conversion made at baptism.
- Fidelity to the Spirit of Monastic Life – This promise expresses a commitment to live a life of spirituality, piety and balance.
- Obedience to the Will of God – This is a promise to grow in discernment of God’s will through prayer, spiritual direction and faithfulness to one’s religious traditions. Obedience is not a series of acts grudgingly done, but the response of a willing heart in service to God.
The duties which one has as an Oblate of St. Meinrad are:
- Pray daily the Liturgy of the Hours. Morning and Evening prayer especially.
- Read from the Rule of St. Benedict each day.
- Practice lectio divina each day. This meditative reading from the Scripture or other religious writings expands the oblate’s love, knowledge and appreciation of the spiritual way of life.
- Participate frequently in the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. (Oblates who are not Roman Catholic should be faithful to their denominational beliefs of church and prayer.)
- Be attentive to God’s presence in ordinary, daily life.
All this information comes from the Oblate Website of St. Meinrad Archabbey. For more information please see the wonderful site they have up.
Oblate Life 