Mary’s Benedictine Oblates Oblates of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel’s Hope Letters #4-6 Origin and Statues of the Oblates of St. Benedict St. Benedict, whose name in Latin means “blessed,” to a monk of a neighboring monastery, who supplied was born about the year 480 in the small town of him with food. Nursia (Norcia), about one hundred miles northwest After he had been discovered by shepherds, the re- of Rome. Little is port of his holy life drew to him men who desired to known of his par- profit by his example and instruction. To accommodate ents, except that they them he built twelve monasteries around Subiaco, in were of the ancient each of which he placed twelve monks and an Abbot, Roman nobility and keeping them, however, under his care and direction. had another child, The increasing fame of his sanctity encouraged even Scholastica, who was Roman nobles to place their sons under his direction; to become a disciple but it also excited jealousy and persecution. That the of her brother and be welfare of his monks might not be endangered on his seen by him borne account, St. Benedict withdrew from Subiaco and to heaven, after her with a few chosen disciples directed his steps to Mon- death, in the form of te Cassino, a mountain about halfway between Rome a dove. and Naples. Here about 529 he wrote his Holy Rule When he was quite and founded the monastery that was destined to be- a young man, prob- come the most famous in the history of the Church. ably not more than St. Benedict died at Monte Cassino about the year twenty, Benedict was 547, after seeing his Rule established in other mon- sent to Rome for his education; but seeing his com- asteries founded by his monks. Within two hundred panions corrupted by the vices of the city, he feared years of his death the Holy Rule had been adopted in for his own salvation and retired to the mountainous Italy, Spain, France, England, and Germany, and by solitude of Subiaco, about thirty miles east of Rome. the 13th century it had superseded all other Rules. So Here he lived as a hermit for three years, known only great was the number of Benedictine monasteries and 466 S. 79th East Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74112 ~ www.motherofisraelshope.org so conspicuous their influence in the conversion and civilization of Europe that the centuries from the 6th to the 13th have often been called the “Benedictine centuries.” † † † From the life of St. Benedict, as told by St. Gregory the Great, it appears that Oblates were received by our holy Father already at Subiaco, before he founded his monastery at Monte Cassino. Apparently, however, there were only boys who were offered (Oblate means “one who is offered”) by their parents to be educated for the monastic life. This “oblation” of boys is de- scribed in Chapter 59 of the Holy Rule. Nevertheless, St. Gregory’s narrative seems to warrant the con- clusion that some adults living in the world also put themselves under St. Benedict’s direction and visited his monastery occasionally for spiritual instruction lates. The Interns or Regular Oblates lived in the mon- and guidance. astery and submitted to its discipline without, however, The term “oblate,” as applied to adults, does not ap- making formal vows. The Externs or Secular Oblates pear to have been in use before the 11th century. But lived in the world but were affiliated with the mon- as early as the 9th century we meet the term “confra- astery. They promised obedience and sometimes per- tres,” which is the name still used fect chastity, and made over a part for Oblates in the English Con- or the whole of their possessions to gregation of Benedictines, and we the monastery, either immediately have evidence that many monas- or by way of legacy. Historians tell teries had such “confratres” before us that large numbers of the faith- the 11th century. Thus we find a ful thus consecrated themselves to monk of that time writing: “There God and to the Order of St. Bene- are a great many of the faithful, dict by uniting themselves as Ob- both poor and rich, who request lates to such famous monasteries as confraternity with us. We give unto Cluny, Hirschau, St. Blasé, and oth- all of them participation to what- ers. The Holy Roman Emperor, St. ever good is done in our monastery, Henry II, showed such great love be it by prayer or almsgiving. Let and veneration for the Order that he us make special prayer for them, St. Frances of Rome has been chosen the special patron both while they live and after their (1384–1440) of the Oblates. death.” These words well describe Saint Frances of Rome, help us In the 15th century, St. Frances the relation that still exists in our to see the difference between of Rome (1384-1440) induced a own day between Oblates and the what we want to do and what number of noble Roman women to monastery to which they belong. God wants us to do. Help us renounce their worldly and extrav- A more precise status was given to discern what come from agant life for a more perfect Chris- to Oblates by St. William, Abbot of our will and what comes from tian life in their homes and the ex- Hirschau (†1091). He established God’s desire. Amen ercise of charity to the poor. They definite rules for two types of Ob- made no vows, nor did they wear a 2 special religious habit, but placed themselves under the The final canonical status of the Oblates was estab- spiritual direction of the Olivetan Benedictines. Some lished by a Brief of Pope Leo XIII, dated June 17, years later they began to live a community life but 1898. On July 23, 1904, the Sacred Congregation of merely promised obedience to the superior whom they Bishops and Regulars issued a decree officially ap- had chosen to rule over them, styling themselves Ob- proving the Statutes and Rules of the Secular Oblates lates of St. Benedict. This original Institute of Oblates, of St. Benedict, and these Statutes, with a few slight founded by St. Frances, exists in Rome to this day, and alterations and additions, were again approved by a the Oblates engage in daily common prayer and acts Rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Religious on of charity to the poor and the unfortunate. It is there- March 24, 1927. This Rescript is still in force for Ob- fore proper that St. Frances of Rome has been made lates throughout the world. the heavenly patroness of the Oblates of St. Benedict. Beloved Oblate us in this most holy and, we pray, helpful apostolate of Candidates, learning and living our Holy Catholic Faith together Hello at long last! – especially in these difficult days of confusion and It has indeed been apostasy. too long since you A number of you have written, emailed and called received Letter #3. with questions concerning the process of becoming a As we explained at Benedictine Oblate of the Daughters of Mary, Mother the very beginning of Israel’s Hope. I am happy to be able to include in of Mary’s Oblates, this is a new undertaking for us this letter the full process of becoming an Oblate. and, as anticipated, there are bound to be stretches in Let me begin by saying that becoming an Oblate is a time between what we hope to become monthly let- relatively simple process and need not take more than ters. So then, this letter, as you can see, is three letters a year, although each individual or family may take in one, at least in length! whatever time he, she, or the family together needs. Close to 200 (individuals and families) thus far have All who have applied and have received the “Com- applied to become part of this truly God-blessed be- mentary for Benedictine Oblates on the Rule of St. ginning of a wonderful Benedictine Oblate family. Benedict” by G. A. Simon are already on their way to We are thrilled to be with you, and to have you with being Oblates! Here then is what follows. Process of Becoming a Benedictine Oblate of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel’s Hope Stage 1: Candidacy Stage 2: Postulancy As soon as one completes and submits the Applica- All who have received the Commentary, which con- tion to become an Oblate, he or she is an automatic tains the entire Rule of St. Benedict, and have begun Candidate. If, with the Application, you order the to read and follow the Rule, have automatically tran- Commentary for Oblates on the Rule of St. Benedict, sitioned to the Postulancy. No formal ceremony is which we are able to offer at a substantial discount, needed here. It is up to each one or each family to you will be on your way to becoming a Postulant. (See determine the pace at which the Rule and Commen- Application and order form at the end of this letter.) tary can be read. Some have established a daily prayer 3 and reading schedule according to the dates outlined in Stage 4: Final Act of Oblation the Commentary; others will find it more helpful to not A year and a day after being invested with the small black follow the schedule in the Rule (which, if followed, would scapular of St. Benedict, Oblate Novices may make their take you through the entire Rule three times each year), final profession of Oblation.