On Living Out My Oblation

When I became a Benedictine oblate in 2022, I pondered how I would live out my oblation. I knew two things: I wanted to continue my formation and I wanted to give back to the Monastery. I didn’t realize at the time how interconnected those two goals would be.

I decided to try volunteering at the front desk. Sr. Karen spent a few hours training me on the phone system and the front door, and off I went. In a basic sense, I’m greeting visitors and forwarding phone calls. But in a deeper sense, I feel like I’m being further formed as a Benedictine oblate. When I open the door to a visitor, I’m learning to greet all visitors as Christ. When I watch and listen to the sisters, I’m learning from their example of humility. Even being at that desk on quiet afternoons, I feel like I’m learning to be peaceful and open to the Spirit, with the beautiful art on the walls, the sound of holy water bubbling in the chapel font, and the sun streaming through the windows. In a world that often pummels me with constant noise, being at the front desk teaches me to be still and listen.

I’ve also volunteered to bring sisters to their medical appointments, and I love having time in the car for conversations with them. It’s a very easy way to serve the sisters.

I’ve come to find that being formed as a Benedictine oblate is more than the wonderful teaching we receive in initial formation. Being formed is also done in practice, in being here with the sisters and other oblates at the Monastery. I receive much more than I give in volunteering at the desk and bringing sisters to appointments. It forms me and allows me to practice being Benedictine.