Threshold - Summer 2005

Oblation: An Offering of Lives
by Beth Denney, Oblate

The soft glow of evening light was radiating through the stained glass windows of Saint Scholastica Chapel on April 9. Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica, along with the families and friends of the 2005 oblate candidates were gathered for evening vespers and the profession of oblation by ten candidates. They came to witness, bless and support the undertaking of the oblate candidates.

During vespers, Sister Mary Collins, OSB, prioress, invited the candidates to enter the sanctuary where they would make their oblation. In offering themselves to God in the way of Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica, they promised the conversion of their lives according to the spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict. Sister Mary Collins accepted the candidates as oblates in spiritual union with the Mount community. With the support of the sisters, the oblates will seek God by walking the monastic way of life in service to God and God’s people. The new oblates received a medal of Saint Benedict which they will wear as a sign of their commitment to follow the St. Benedict’s rule as oblates of Mount Saint Scholastica.

In order to become an oblate of Mount Saint Scholastica, a candidate must become familiar with the Mount and the sisters. By visiting the monastery, the candidate experiences Benedictine spirituality in the Liturgy of the Hours and the monastic way of life as shared by individual sisters in conversation and by example.

Candidates must also study the Rule of Benedict and attend monthly oblate meetings for a period of two years before making their oblation. Oblate groups meet in Atchison under the direction of Sister Cecilia Olson, in Topeka with Sister Judith Sutera, in St. Joseph with Sister Evelyn Gregory, and in Kansas City with Sisters Therese Elias or Ann Diettrich. These oblate directors meet regularly with the oblate coordinator, Sister Mary Elizabeth Schweiger, OSB. Mount Saint Scholastica currently has 131 oblates.

Oblates have always been part of Benedictine monasteries, originally as child offerings and later as adult self-offerings. The term oblate comes from the Latin word “oblatus” which means offering. Saint Benedict speaks of oblates in chapter 59 of his rule. Through oblation Christians establish a bond of spiritual union with a particular Benedictine community.

Oblates live the Rule in their communities of family, church and work. Often under the direction of a spiritual director of the Mount, each oblate discerns a path of prayer and lifestyle that best fulfills their oblation promise.

Elizabeth Swift of Shawnee, one of the newly professed oblates, states that, “The most important Benedictine practices for me are Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharist, and the charism of hospitality. I’m aware that I’m being called to be present as a listener to many at this time.” Another new oblate, Deborah Kennedy of Overland Park, says “I came to oblation after much discernment and feel that it was undeniably the right path for me from the beginning. The liturgy and meetings reinforce this way of life for me.”

The new oblates reported that the monthly meetings were very helpful in sustaining their individual practices of prayer and works. Many oblates also practice lectio divina, the ancient Benedictine way of reading Scripture. The overall goal in prayer and the Benedictine way of life is stated in the Rule: “to prefer nothing whatever to the love of Christ.”

Pictured above are the women and man who made oblation to Mount St. Scholastica
in April 2005.
Back: Hank Healey, Beth Denney, Linda White
Middle: Kate Capps, Mary Jo Meara, Edie Snethen, Jay Williams
Front: Deborah Kennedy, Lee Stock, Elizabeth Swift