Become an Oblate: Online Chapter
An increasing number of lay people are attracted to a life of prayer and to a more complete dedication to God. Although these lay people do not wish to abandon their families, their jobs, or their responsibilities in society, they are drawn to a deeper life of prayer and communion and they desire to form small communities with other lay people. Through this Online Oblate Chapter, many of these people find support, nourishment, and enrichment for their spiritual life by participating in a close relationship with a monastic community (Plaiss, 1999). They find monasticism, and especially monastic spirituality, appealing (Hensell, 2000).
Benedictine Spirituality: Benedictine spirituality is particularly appealing to many. Some wish to learn about and practice Benedictine Spirituality as Benedictine Oblates, affiliates with a particular monastery, but are not able to attend regular meetings in a traditional (i.e., in-person) group setting. Unfortunately, the synchronous nature of traditional oblate chapters may cause them to be unavailable to some of the laity. Time constraints, geographic distances, work and family demands, physical disabilities, and health circumstances are among the reasons traditional oblate chapters might not be available to interested laity who might otherwise be able to participate.
Oblates: There are also Oblates who participate in traditional oblate chapters but want more frequent contact and sharing with other Oblates.
Historically, Oblate chapters have been remarkably responsive to the spiritual needs of the times and have shown elasticity and creative responses to the needs of a particular circumstance interpreted through the Benedictine tradition (Buchanan, 1999). As an example of this creativity and elasticity, Sacred Heart Monastery offers a Benedictine Online Oblate Chapter (BOOC) in order to provide an alternative for laity who wish to become oblates and affiliate with a monastery, but desire or require the anytime, anywhere online alternative. This option is also available for Oblates who have already made oblation but want more….
If you are interested in becoming an oblate, please fill out this interest form HERE. By filling out this information you consent to the collection of your information by S. Bonita Gacnik of Sacred Heart Monastery. We will send you a confirmation email that we have received your submission.
BENEDICTINE ONLINE OBLATE CHAPTER
S. Bonita Gacnik, OSB
bonita.gacnik@yanktonbenedictines.org
Phone: (605) 668–6229/6003/6000
