Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, Alabama

Sacred Heart Monastery 
916 Convent Road, Cullman, Alabama 35055 
(256) 734-4622 --- shmon@shmon.org

Our Oblate Program

Benedictine Oblates seek God in association with a monastic community. With the Rule of St. Benedict as their guide and insofar as their state in life permits, Oblates live values that are part of the very fabric of Christian spirituality, such as spending time daily reflecting on the Sacred Scriptures, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and cultivating an awareness of the presence of God. An acquaintance with these and other Christian values presented in the Rule of St. Benedict will enable Oblates to attain that special peace and joy that Christ came to bring and promised to all who follow him.

If you are interested in becoming an Oblate, the following information may be helpful:

Benedictine Oblates are Christian men and women who yearn for a spiritual life deeply rooted in God. The Rule of Benedict enables one to find balance and fulfillment in life and so the novice studies the Rule and adapts it to one's way of life, applying the teachings of Jesus, as found in the Gospels, to everyday life.

The word "oblate" is derived from the Latin word, oblatus, which means someone who is offered up or dedicated to something. The Benedictine Oblate is a person whose life becomes a generous oblation or offering of self to God, according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

Oblates are affiliated with a specific monastery and share a spiritual union with the monastic community, bonded in prayer and commitment as permitted by their state in life. Oblates promise to live according to Benedictine spirituality, offering themselves to God, Jesus Christ and St. Benedict. They truly seek God, have a reverence for prayer (both private and the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours), a love of holy reading, an experience of labor as holy, and an attitude of silence. The Oblate strives wholeheartedly to be attentive to God's presence in ordinary, daily life.

Our Oblate program has been in existence since 1980. We presently have 80 Oblates affiliated with Sacred Heart Monastery. The Oblates meet annually for a retreat weekend at the Monastery in the Fall. At this time there is a ceremony in which new members are enrolled as novices for a period of one year, the novices may make their final oblation, and existing Oblates renew their commitment.

During the retreat weekend, there is a featured speaker to provide a program relative to Benedictine life, study of the rule, women mystics, and many other interesting topics. The Oblates, novices, and inquirers join the Sisters in praying the Liturgy of the Hours, celebrating Eucharist, and sharing meals. There are also groups of Oblates in various geographic areas that meet regularly for prayer and study.

If you are interested in becoming affiliated with our monastery as a Benedictine Oblate, we invite you to tell us a little about yourself:

* your involvement in a faith community
* your prayer life
* your reasons for wanting to be an Oblate

You may arrange to visit us here at the monastery so you can get to know us and we can get to know you. At that time we will explain the steps of the program to you in greater detail and assess your readiness to enter the program. After we have met with you, then we invite you to join us at our retreat weekend in October as an inquirer. If you still desire to become an Oblate, then you may be enrolled as a novice the following year and make final oblation the next year.

We hope you will join us in our journey of seeking God, and praying and working together "that in all things God may be glorified". (from the Rule of St. Benedict). Please contact us if you have any further questions.

Lovingly in St. Benedict,

Sister Priscilla Cohen, O.S.B.
Director of Oblates

E-mail: priscillacohen@hotmail.com-- Subject: Priscilla

Oblate Director
Sacred Heart Monastery
916 Convent Rd
Cullman, AL 35055

(256) 734-4622