The Oblates of the Augustinian Monks of the Primitive Observance are men and women, cleric and lay, who live in the world while uniting themselves to the Lord in a special bond as secular members of our religious family.
The Oblate vocation is rooted in baptism and in the desire to give a fuller expression to the Christian call to holiness. Inspired by Saint Augustine and by the monastic witness of the community, Oblates seek a deeper life of prayer, charity, service, and communion with God while remaining faithful to their own state in life.
They may be married, single, or ordained priests. Each is called to live an authentic spiritual life according to the vocation God has given them.
“You have made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” — Saint Augustine
The Oblate path developed from the ancient Christian tradition of men and women who desired a closer spiritual relationship with monastic life while continuing to live in the world.
The statutes describe Oblates as secular members of the religious family of the Augustinian Monks of the Primitive Observance.
Their relationship with the monastery is therefore more than an informal interest in Augustinian spirituality. Through formation, prayer, fraternity, and eventually the Act of Oblation, they seek to unite their lives more closely to God and to the spiritual life and mission of the monastery.
Saint Monica holds a special place in this tradition. She lived fully her vocation as wife, mother, and widow while remaining closely united to Saint Augustine and sharing in prayer, contemplation, and the pursuit of holiness.
Prayer is the cornerstone of the Oblate vocation.
The statutes call Oblates to set aside time each day for personal meditation and to spend regular time with Sacred Scripture and spiritual reading.
The public worship of the Church is to remain at the center of an Oblate’s Christian life.
Daily participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is expected when circumstances permit, with appropriate allowances for illness, advanced age, or other serious circumstances.
Oblates are also encouraged to grow in love for the Blessed Sacrament and, where possible, to spend time in Eucharistic adoration and Benediction.
Lay Oblates are called to pray Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer each day.
Other Hours may be prayed when circumstances permit. Priest Oblates continue the obligations of their ordained ministry and are encouraged to observe the Augustinian feasts using the appropriate supplement when possible.
Frequent celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is encouraged.
Spiritual direction may also be an important help in the Oblate’s growth in holiness. The statutes encourage Oblates to seek sound spiritual guidance in harmony with the teaching of the Church and in consultation with the monastery.
The monastery provides days of recollection for the Oblates, and participation is ordinarily expected unless excused.
Each Oblate is also required to make an annual retreat, normally in connection with the monastery unless otherwise arranged.
The Blessed Virgin Mary has a special place in Augustinian spirituality and in the life of the Oblates.
Oblates are encouraged to deepen their relationship with the Mother of God and, unless circumstances prevent it, to pray the Rosary or the Corona of the Blessed Virgin Mary daily.
The statutes also call Oblates to honor important Marian celebrations within the Augustinian tradition.
Saint Joseph is honored as Protector of the Order, Saint Augustine as father and teacher, and Saint Monica as a spiritual mother. The saints and blesseds of the Augustinian family are regarded as brothers and sisters whose friendship and intercession accompany the community.
Oblates share in the intercessory life of the monastery.
They are called to pray for:
When possible, Oblates who live near a sick brother or sister are encouraged to assist them personally and pray with them.
The Oblate vocation is a deepening of baptismal consecration.
The statutes recognize that Oblates may be married, single, or ordained priests. The Oblate does not abandon his or her primary vocation. Rather, the Oblate seeks to live it more deeply through the spiritual influence of the Augustinian monastic tradition.
Married Oblates are called to live faithfully within marriage and family life.
Single Oblates are called to chastity and holiness appropriate to their state in life.
Priest Oblates seek to deepen their priestly ministry through monastic spirituality, prayer, fraternity, and a closer relationship with the community.
All are called to live the evangelical counsels according to their own state in life through chastity, simplicity and detachment, generosity, and obedience to the Church.
After the appropriate period of formation, an Oblate may make a formal Act of Oblation.
Through this act, the person declares the desire to follow Jesus Christ more closely, deepen his or her baptismal consecration, live according to the Rule of Saint Augustine as expressed in the Oblate Statutes, and become more closely united to the monastery and its spiritual family.
The Act of Oblation expresses a desire to continue the search for God, serve the people of God, and live in unity of love with the monastery.
Those who seek to become Oblates enter a period of formation under the direction of the Abbot and the person appointed to oversee their formation.
The statutes establish a **two-year novitiate** before an Oblate may make the Act of Oblation.
During this time, candidates grow in their understanding of:
Candidates normally should be at least **twenty-one years of age**, although the Abbot may permit a younger person when appropriate. The statutes establish no upper age limit.
The statutes provide two ways in which Oblates may be connected to the monastery.
Individual men and women may become Hermit Oblates when they are called to a more solitary relationship with the monastery or when there are not enough Oblates in a geographical area to form a chapter.
Hermit Oblates remain directly under the Abbot or his delegate while joining other Oblates at appropriate times for formation, prayer, and fraternity.
A local Chapter may be established when a small group of people in a particular area desire to live the Oblate vocation together.
Chapters normally meet monthly for spiritual growth, formation in Augustinian life, fraternity, and service to the monastery.
Members are encouraged to participate in Mass and the canonical Hours at the monastery when possible, and to share their time and talents in support of the monks and the wider community.
At the beginning of formation, a novice may receive a medal of Saint Augustine or another appropriate symbol.
Each candidate also chooses a saint or blessed as a particular patron, normally from the Augustinian family.
Upon profession, Oblates receive the symbols associated with their Oblation according to the customs of the community.
The Augustinian cross serves as the ordinary sign of the Oblate’s relationship with the monastery. The statutes also provide for a fuller Oblate habit for particular occasions at the monastery.
The purpose of the Oblate vocation is not simply personal spiritual enrichment.
Oblates are called to place their gifts at the service of God, the Church, the monastery, and their neighbors.
They are encouraged to share their talents, support the needs of the monastery, practice generosity, care for those who are suffering, build Christian community, and live their daily responsibilities in a spirit of charity.
The best expression of the Oblate vocation is a life increasingly shaped by love.
“The Lord grant that you may observe all these precepts in a spirit of charity as lovers of spiritual beauty... not living under the law like slaves but living in freedom under grace.”
If you feel drawn to a deeper life of prayer, Augustinian spirituality, and a closer relationship with our monastic community, we invite you to take the next step.
Before beginning the process, we encourage prospective Oblates to read the Statutes carefully. They explain the spirituality, prayer life, formation, responsibilities, and structure of the Oblate vocation.
Submitting an inquiry does not imply admission or acceptance. It simply begins a conversation and a period of discernment with the monastery.
Questions before beginning?
Oblate & Pastoral Inquiries
Email: monks@osaprim.org
Phone: (386) 686-8862
