Welcome to Oblates of St. Benedict associated with the monks of
St. Procopius Abbey of Lisle, Illinois.

A Benedictine Oblate is dedicated to living out the religious values reflected in the Rule of St. Benedict, insofar as the individual's state of life permits. A Benedictine Oblate can be a lay, clerical, single or married person who — after a period of formation — makes the "Act of Oblation," which establishes a formal association between the person and the monastic community.

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Oblates have been long regarded as "spiritual arms of the abbey," extending to various occupations in the world where one usually does not find monks. Here they spread the spiritual values contained in the Rule of St. Benedict. While St. Benedict wrote his Rule some 1500 years ago, Oblates find many elements that speak personally to the individual and have relevance to contemporary culture.

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About Us

St. Procopius Abbey welcomes the Oblates on the second Sunday of each month (except May, when the meeting is on the first Sunday). The afternoon meeting begins at 3:00 PM, with a conference given by the Oblate Director, Father James Flint, O.S.B.  Often, there will be a second presenter following a brief social period. The meeting usually ends by 4:40 PM, with Oblates welcome to stay and join the community for Solemn Vespers at 5:00 PM.

The Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey look to the Oblates to be an influence in the many areas of the working world where they monks would not find themselves as being present. Oblates truly are an extended arm of the monastery. St. Procopius Abbey has been supporting Oblates of St. Benedict since the 1920s.

Those wishing to join the Oblates should contact Fr. James. A series of readings are sent to Oblate candidates over a year’s time, after which candidates are eligible to make the Act of Oblation.  

Contact

Father James Flint, O.S.B.
Director of Oblates
St. Procopius Abbey
5601 College Road, Lisle, IL. 60532-4462
Phone: 630-969-6410
Email: jflint@procopius.org​​

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History of Oblates

The Original Oblates. From the Life of Saint Benedict as told by St. Gregory the Great, it appears that Oblates were received by St. Benedict already at Subiaco, before he founded his monastery at Monte Cassino. Apparently, however, these were only boys who were offered (the term Oblate means "one who is offered") by their parents to be educated for the monastic life. This "oblation" of boys is described in Chapter 59 of St. Benedict's Rule. St. Gregory's narrative seems to imply that some adults living in the world also put themselves under St. Benedict's direction and visited his monastery occasionally for spiritual instruction and guidance.

"Confratres." The term "oblate" as applied to adults does not appear to have been in use before the 11th century. But as early as the ninth century, we encountered the term "confratres," which is the name sometimes used for oblates in the English Congregation of Benedictines. We have evidence that many monasteries had such "confratres" before the 11th century. The writing from a monk of that that period tells us:

There are a great many of the faithful, both poor and rich, who request confraternity with us. We give unto all of them participation in whatever good is done in our monastery, be it by prayer or almsgiving. Let us make special prayer for them, both while they live and after their death. These words well described the relation that still exists in our own day between Oblates and the monastery to which they belong.

Historic Development. Blessed William, abbot of the monastery of Hirschau (+1091) established definite rules for two types of oblates: the Interns or Regular Oblates who lived in the monastery and submitted to its discipline but did not make formal vows. The Externs or Secular Oblates lived in the world but were affiliated with the monastery. They promised obedience and sometimes perfect chastity, sometimes donating a part or the whole of their possessions to the monastery either immediately or by way of legacy. Historians tell us that large numbers of the faithful consecrated themselves to God and to the order of St. Benedict by uniting themselves as Oblates. This took place in such famous monasteries as Cluny, Hirschau, Saint Blaise, and others. St. Henry the second (972–1024), the Holy Roman Emperor, showed such great love and veneration for the order that he has been chosen the special male patron of the oblates.

Saint Frances of Rome. In the 15th century, St. Frances of Rome 1384–1440) induced a number of noble Roman women to renounce their worldly and extravagant life for a more perfect Christian life in their homes in the exercise of charity to the poor. They made no vows, nor did they wear a special religious garb, but they placed themselves under the spiritual direction of the Olivetan Benedictines. Some years later they began to live in community life, but merely promised obedience to the superior whom they had chosen to rule over them, styling themselves as Oblates of St. Benedict. This original Institute of Oblates, founded by St. Francis of Rome, exists in Rome to this day, and these oblates engage in daily common prayer and acts of charity to the poor and the unfortunate. St. Frances of Rome is the female patroness of the Oblates of St. Benedict, with her feast day celebrated on March 9.

Official Church Approval. The canonical status of the Oblates was established by a "Brief" of Pope Leo XIII on July 17, 1898. On July 23, 1904, the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars issued a decree officially approving the Statutes and Rules of the Secular Oblates of St. Benedict, and these Statutes, with a few alterations and additions, were again approved by a Rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Religious on March 24, 1927. The essential elements of these documents continue to be reflected in the contemporary Constitution and Guidelines for the Oblates of St. Benedict.

The Current Picture. The Catholic News Service back in June of 2000 reported that more than 25,000 lay people associate themselves with the various religious communities that admit lay associates such as Benedictine Oblates: "Those figures indicate that the American Catholics seeking to connect with the spirituality, life, mission of religious institutes form a significant and rapidly growing new presence in the U. S. Church."

The Cloister Walk (1996) by Benedictine Oblate Kathleen Norris became a New York Times bestseller and did much to publicize the Benedictine way of spirituality and fostered the growth of Benedictine Oblates.

Please join St. Procopius Abbey in prayer for Dorothy Day’s canonization:

O God, may we learn from the example of Dorothy Day, Servant of God and Benedictine Oblate of St. Procopius Abbey, especially in her dedication to the liturgy, her desire for the justice of God’s Kingdom, and her devotion to the poor as persons in whom Christ is welcomed. Amen.