Holy Orders For Lay People Religious Life for the Laity Following in the Footsteps of St. Benedict of Nursia —The Benedictine Oblates— By Anne Tschanz return to Benedictine mo- nasticism is frequently men- A tioned as the remedy to in- creasingly pagan times. It is appropri- ate, then, that this last article on the laity is on the Benedictine Oblates who are meant to bring Benedictine life into the heart of the world. Benedictine monasticism is cred- ited with building and preserving Western Civilization “by the cross, the book and the plow,” as Pope St. Paul VI wrote in Pacis Nuntius, wherein he declared Benedict the the Rule is radical but always hospi- selves are transformed by Christ Patron of Europe. His predecessor, table which is why, when other mo- to the point at which they can say, Pope Pius XII, said that Benedict nastic Rules disappeared, the Rule of along with St. Paul, ‘I live, no longer brought “that loving care of order Benedict triumphed and continues I, but Christ lives in me’” (Gal 2:20), and justice that forms the founda- to work its power even today.” according to St. Vincent Archabbey. tion of true society.” Oblates are an Benedictines profess the vows of The word Oblate comes from extension of this monastic vision, obedience, stability and conversatio the Latin word oblatus which means meant to bring the light of Christ morum, which beautifully applies to someone who is offered to God. In into the deepest recesses of the cul- the lay vocation. During the obla- Benedict’s time, parents sometimes ture. tion ceremony, the Oblate candi- presented their sons to a monastery Oblates make private promises dates promise to be obedient to the to be educated (St. Thomas Aquinas to live according to the Rule of St. demands of Christian discipleship by became a Benedictine Oblate at age Benedict, inasmuch as his or her dedicating themselves to the service 5) and it is believed that Benedict state in life permits it. Pope St. John of God and neighbor. While affiliated had under his care lay people who re- Paul II said that in this Rule “we find to a specific monastery, stability can ceived spiritual direction from him. an order which is strict but never also mean that they “prefer nothing Throughout the ensuing centuries, stern, a light which is clear but never to the love of Christ” (Rule 4:21). this special relationship between cold, and a fullness which is absolute Conversatio morum implies an on- lay people and individual Benedic- but never overwhelming. In a word, going conversion “until they them- tine monasteries was canonically November/December 2019 13 approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1898. never lose hope in God’s mercy. By Most of the information that we walking in His ways, says Benedict, know about the great St. Benedict of we may “deserve to see in His king- Nursia, born c. 480 in Italy, is docu- dom Him who has called us.” mented in Book II of the Dialogues Benedict placed great impor- of Pope St. Gregory the Great (540- tance on work because “idleness is 604). As a boy, Benedict studied in the enemy of the soul.” Pope Pius Rome but as he saw others falling XII said, “Activity and work, far from into sin, he recoiled lest he also fall wearying the mind, distracting it and “into that dangerous and godless applying it to useless things, rather gulf.” Desiring only to serve God, he tranquilize it, strengthen it and lift eventually fled to remote Subiaco it up to higher things.” There is no seeking to suffer and work for God, Benedictine “work” as such. Each rather than to receive praise and monastery is free to adapt to the cir- honor from men. in a form that was ideally suited to cumstances and needs of the times. God desired, however, “that the Western culture. In Benedictine mo- Over the centuries, Benedictines candle set upon a candlestick might nastic law, says Pope Pius XII, “the have engaged in contemplation, shine and give light to the whole rights, duties and works of the monks study, education, art and evangeli- Church of God.” Attracted by Ben- are tempered by the benevolence zation, amongst other things. This edict’s example, “many abandoned and charity of the Gospel.” His Rule applies perfectly to Oblates who in the vanities of the world and placed allows “the strong to have something their own unique circumstances and themselves under the gentle yoke of to strive for, and the weak nothing to with their individual talents serve the Redeemer.” Benedict established run from” (Rule 64:19). God in their own ways. many monasteries, one of which was The goal of monasticism is to Benedict died around the year Monte Cassino, where the Rule of St. lead souls to God. Monks, Benedict 547 and was buried next to his twin Benedict was written. It became, said says, should beseech God with pas- sister Scholastica. The Benedictine Pope St. John Paul II, “the cradle for sionate prayer to perfect whatever life spread from the Mediterranean the growth of Western Monasticism work they begin. Chapter Four of to the north thanks to missionaries and a center of evangelization and the Rule, “The Instruments of Good such as Saint Augustine of Can- Christian humanism.” And it was Works,” describes the qualities of terbury and Saint Boniface, and the predominant form of religious a good Christian life for all people. the Benedictine nuns St. Hilda of life in the West for many centuries. Seventy-two maxims are outlined, Whitby and Saint Walburga. The Benedict’s Rule was based on the such as: do not talk too much, visit Benedictine family of today includes patrimony of the past, Scripture and the sick, do not harbor revenge, love Cistercians, Trappists, Camaldolese, his own knowledge of human nature fasting, do not be a grumbler and Olivetans and Vallombrosans. St. Henry II (d. 1024) is the THE BENEDICTINE OBLATES co-patron of the Oblates along with Founded: St. Benedict of Nursia, 6th Century St. Frances of Rome. Born to noble parents in 1384, Frances hoped to Motto: Ora et Labora or Pax enter religious life but agreed to an (“Prayer and Work” or “Peace”) arranged marriage. With the bless- External Sign: Medal of St. Benedict ing of her husband, Frances devoted Spirituality: Dedication to the service of God and humanity her ample resources to the poor and sick of Rome. When war and plagues Mission: To conform one’s life in the work brought great suffering to her own according to the Rule of St Benedict family, including the death of two of Formation Program: Novitiate 1+ year her children, Frances turned a por- Website: OSB.org tion of the family home into a hos- pital. In 1425, she founded a society 14 November/December 2019 of women who made an oblation of Those who wish to follow in the themselves to God and to the poor. footsteps of these amazing figures, Affiliated with the Olivetan Bene- enroll in a year-long novitiate with dictines, founded by St. Bernardo a particular monastery followed by Tolomei, she entered the communi- a Final Oblation in a Rite approved ty after the death of her husband. by the Church. The promises they Believed to be accompanied by an make affiliate them with that mon- archangel for the last twenty years astery and commit them to live the of her life, she said as she was dy- spirit of the Rule, according to their ing: “The angel has finished his state in life. During the ceremony, task. He beckons me to follow him.” they are presented with the Rule Today, the Oblates of St. Frances of of St. Benedict and often a blessed Rome reside in their Monastery of Medal of St Benedict. The origins of Tor de’ Specchi (Tower of Mirrors) this powerful and ancient sacramen- in the heart of Rome, symbolizing, an entire, pleasing and perfect holo- tal are not clear but it was formally said Pope Benedict, “the need to caust.” He was the last of the one approved by Pope Benedict XIV in bring the spiritual dimension back hundred and five Catholic martyrs 1741. On the front is an image of to the center of civil coexistence.” to be gruesomely executed at Ty- St. Benedict holding a cross and Her remains, vested in the habit burn, England. He was canonized in the Rule. On the back are puzzling of the Oblates, can be seen in the 1975 in Rome. letters: C S S M L - N D S M D, Olivetan Basilica of Santa France- A famous American Oblate was which mean, “May the holy cross be sca Romana. Servant of God Dorothy Day (1897- my light! May the dragon never be St. Oliver Plunkett, Irish mar- 1980), co-founder with Peter Maurin my overlord!” The C S P B stands tyr, had a most unusual path to his of the Catholic Worker Movement. for “The Cross of (our) Holy Father oblation as a Benedictine. Born in They sought to use Scripture and Benedict.” Finally, the letters V R S 1625 in Ireland, he was ordained Church social teaching to better the N S M V - S M Q L I V B denote: in Rome where a priest told him lives of the poor and marginalized. “Get back Satan! Never tempt me that he would shed his blood for Dorothy was a Benedictine Oblate with your vanities! What you offer the Faith. Oliver replied: “I am un- of St.