For several weeks in the Spring of 1997 three young men attended our Morning Prayer (beginning at 5:20) several times each week. They were all recovering alcoholics enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous programs. Clearly they would agree with the remark quoted in our introductory page, "You've got what we need." The young men are not "churchnicks," each has a professional job. They are among the many who find in Benedictine life an inspiration and a workable model for living a serious Christian life as lay persons in the world of today. Recent books by Esther de Waal, Kathleen Norris and Norvene Vest have glowingly expressed how the Benedictine spirit can be helpful for lay women and men who wish to be faithful to their Christian calling. (For more information on these books see the final note below.)

What is an Oblate?
One of the men who come to Morning Prayer has become an "Oblate" of St. Anselm's Abbey. "Oblate" means "offered," and refers to those who have chosen to affiliate themselves to a particular Benedictine monastery. (Of course you don't have to be a recovering alcoholic to become an Oblate!) Oblates do not take vows, but sense a community of concerns with the life we lead, and wish to live by the spirit of St. Benedict as that is appropriate in the circumstances of their lives. There are no hard and fast rules, but Oblates commit themselves to some form of the Divine Office and individual prayer. They strive to balance their prayer, work, family life and leisure in a way that puts first things first. The monastery's strong sense of community and hospitality extends to our Oblates in a special way.

Oblate meetings
On the first Sunday of each month our Oblates attend our Conventual Mass at 9:00 a.m. They join the community afterwards for coffee and at 10:30 return to the Chapel for a spiritual conference given by Abbot Aidan Shea, director of Oblates. Oblates may also join a study group conducted by Abbot Aidan. Currently the group is discussing the Rule of St. Benedict as it applies to life today. There is an annual Day of Recollection for Oblates at our Abbey. (It should also be noted that we have groups of Oblates who meet regularly in New York City and Philadelphia. Founded years ago by Fr. Thomas Verner Moore these groups flourish today.)

Becoming an Oblate
Anyone interested in becoming an Oblate is welcome to attend the monthly meetings. If on acquaintance with the group and its practices one feels drawn to become a member the first step is to become an Oblate novice. After consultation with Fr. Abbot those wishing to become Oblate novices do so at a ceremony during the monthly meeting. The candidates express a desire to become Oblates. Medals of St. Benedict are blessed and presented to the candidates. Then each is given a copy of St. Benedict's Rule. A prayer is said expressing the meaning of the Rule; the Oblate novices are enjoined to study it faithfully. The ceremony concludes with a final prayer and blessing.

A year later one may make a "Final oblation as an Oblate of St Benedict" as an affiliate of the monastery. After formally expressing a desire to dedicate oneself to the service of God and humanity according to the Rule of St. Benedict, each novice reads his or her Act of Final Oblation, which each has prepared beforehand. This Act expresses a commitment to live by the Oblate ideal. (It is modeled on the act of profession a monk makes when taking vows, but does not have the status of a Canonical vow.) The Abbot then makes a formal expression of acceptance of the new Oblates. Again the ceremony concludes with prayers and a blessing.

A final note
Those on the internet can find a rich documentation on Oblates of St. Benedict in the pages of the Order of St. Benedict material published on the internet by St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. A subdivision on "Benedictine Books" gives full information on the books mentioned in the first paragraph above. Consult Oblates of St. Benedict.