What is an Oblate?

An oblate is a lay or clergy, single or married person formally associated with our monastery. CDL oblates seek to deepen their commitment to love and serve God through a personal and spiritual relationship with the Community, adapting to their lives the principles on which the monks base their common life. The oblate looks to the Community of Divine Love for encouragement and inspiration and seeks to live a life of prayer and service.

 

What does being an Oblate mean?

Using the CDL Oblate Rule of Life as a guide, oblates will write and follow their own individual adaptation of the Oblate Rule that best fits their life outside the monastery and expresses a commitment to faithful discipleship. The Rule helps us to keep a steady and committed focus on the Divine through prayer, service and study, striving to see God in all things. Under the direction of the CDL Oblate Guardian, oblates will stay in regular communication with the community, be invited to attend annual oblate retreats, support the community in mutual prayer, offer financial support to the monastery as able and assist the community in other ways that are reasonable and good.

 

How do I become an Oblate?

After studying the CDL Oblate Rule of Life, if it is your desire to become an oblate, you will be asked to offer a written spiritual autobiography. After review, you may then be invited to submit your personal Rule of Life.

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After your Rule has been reviewed and accepted, there will be a brief period of putting into practice the principles set forth in your personal Rule, having adapted them to your particular life circumstances. After this initial testing period you may be admitted as an Oblate during a worship service at the CDL House of Prayer and presented with the distinctive Oblate Cross, which you may wear as a sign of your commitment to God and community in the monastic spirit of an oblate.

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What does the monastery community offer the oblate?

The Community of Divine Love will include Oblates in their cycle of prayer, offer ongoing spiritual support and education, encourage a spirit of community among oblates, offer teaching on the monastic life, an annual review of your personal Rule, and periodic Oblate gatherings on Zoom (twice per year), as well as one single-day in-person gathering each year

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If you are interested in becoming a part of our community as an Oblate, feel free to contact us. We are happy to talk with you.