Oblates
Belmont Oblates
Associates of Belmont who seek to live the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict in their daily lives.
What is an Oblate?
From the earliest days of Benedictine monasticism lay individuals were attracted to Benedictine spirituality and wanted to be close to a monastic community so that they, too, might profit spiritually by living according to the spirit of the Rule. One way of doing this was by becoming a Benedictine Oblate.
Oblates seek to follow Christ more closely by following closely the wise teaching of St Benedict in his Rule, as far as it is applicable to their daily lives. This would include prayer, liturgy and reflecting on the Sacred Scriptures.
The Oblates of Belmont Abbey are an important part of our life and mission. Their prayer and witness helps extend the reach of the Abbey outside of the four walls of the monastery. Through prayer and work they seek to make Christ present in the world, so that, as St Benedict says, "in all things God may be glorified."
The Oblates of Belmont Abbey are an important part of our life and mission. Their prayer and witness helps extend the reach of the Abbey outside of the four walls of the monastery.
The Origin and History of Oblates
The term 'Oblate' was originally used to refer to those who were offered to God by their parents to be dedicated to His service by entering a monastery. This form of oblation although provided for by Saint Benedict in Chapter 59 of the Rule, was gradually abandoned and replaced by another form approved by Pope Urban II in 1099. The term 'Oblate' then referred to persons who, without taking vows, dedicated themselves to the active service of a particular monastery and lived under obedience to its Abbot or Abbess.
At the time of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII this form of Oblate disappeared from England. However, quite large bodies of Oblates still existed in one form or another on the continent until the time of the French Revolution. When Benedictine monasticism was revived in the nineteenth century the institution of Oblate groups also revived but took a different form. Statutes for Oblate groups that had been drawn up in the seventeenth century were revised and given official approval by the Holy See in 1904. A few slight changes to the Statutes were made in 1927.
What is expected of Oblates today?
The Statutes spell out in detail the religious practices expected of an Oblate. Those emphasised today are frequent participation at Mass, daily recitation of, or attendance at, some part of the Divine Office, and spiritual reading. Oblates are under the spiritual guidance of the monastery with which they are affiliated and are expected, when possible, to attend monthly meetings of the Oblates and to make an annual renewal of their Act of Oblation.
Belmont has had Oblates for well over 50 years, and they now number some 150, in various parts of the country. They have one full Retreat every year in Lent.
Further Information
For information on the Belmont Oblates please write to the Oblate Master, or contact him in the form below:
:
Dom Andrew Berry,
Belmont Abbey
Hereford
HR2 9RZ
How do I become an Oblate?
Those seeking to become oblates do so under the guidance of the Oblate Master, currently Fr Andrew
After discernment, candidates enter upon a one year period as a Novice Oblate. If they persevere in their desires to live in accordance with the spirit of the Rule they are permitted to make their final act of Oblation. At this time the Oblates fill out a formula of profession which is retained in the Belmont archives. They also add to their baptismal name that of a Benedictine saint they wish to have as a special patron.
Contact the Oblates Master
Contact the Oblate Master, Fr Andrew, for more information.