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Listen carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.
- Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict
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Oblates

An Oblate is a person who affiliates spiritually with a Benedictine monastery by making an oblation or offering of themselves to God, and by promising to lead a more perfect Christian life in the world according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict. The Oblate is thus entitled to share in the spiritual treasures of the Benedictine order, and to enjoy the special favors and indulgences granted by the Church to Oblates. Faithful Oblates will also, as far as lies in their power, pray for and promote the good of their monastery and of the entire Benedictine Order. Any practicing Christian, not under fifteen years of age, and not a member of any Third Order, may become a Secular Oblate of St. Benedict.

"Those who live amidst the tumult of the world," but are, at the same time, earnestly seeking some special means to enrich their lives spiritually, will find much consolation and inspiration by becoming Oblates of St. Benedict; for this will bring them into intimate contact with the spirit and ideals of the Benedictine Order and its fourteen hundred years of spiritual wisdom, culture, and tradition.

To become an Oblate, the following steps should be taken:

  • Have the intention to live your daily life as a Christian, according to the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict, as described in the Manual for Oblates of St. Benedict, and in the Holy Rule of St. Benedict.
  • Apply to any Benedictine abbey, or ask any Benedictine for further information.
  • When your application has been accepted, arrange to be invested as an Oblate Novice by the abbot of any Benedictine abbey of your choice, or by any Benedictine priest, or by any other priest delegated by a Benedictine abbot. At investiture, you will receive the Rule of St. Benedict and a medal of St. Benedict. At this time, also, you should provide yourself with a Manual for Oblates, which can be obtained through the priest who invested you, or directly from the Abbey, itself.
  • A year and a day after being invested, or as soon thereafter as convenient, you may make your Profession, or Final Act of Oblation in the presence of the abbot of the monastery for which you were first invested, or in the presence of any priest delegated by him to receive your Profession.

You are then a full-fledged Oblate of St. Benedict for life, and are expected, in view of your Final Act of Oblation, to observe the Statutes and Rules of the Oblates to the best of your ability, and according as your state in life permits. These Statutes and Rules are given in the Manual for Oblates. The Oblate, in return for his or her zeal, shares in the prayers and good works of the monastery for which he or she made oblation, and is remembered by the monks in their prayers both during life and after death.

Oblate Director
Saint Martin's Abbey
5000 Abbey Way SE
Lacey WA 98503
360.491.4700
 oblates@stmartin.edu