One of the privileges of being the new Oblate Director for our community is hearing our Oblates tell the story. I am awed by the Divine “trail of breadcrumbs” that led each of them to want to be a Benedictine Oblate. For some – like me – the attraction began after attending a retreat at our monastery.
This is my story. In the spring of 1994, I attended my first retreat at Sacred Heart Monastery. This “Contemplative Retreat for Women” was led by Sister Mary McGehee and Sister Maurus Allen. Retreatants were invited to join the sisters for morning prayer (Lauds) and evening prayer (Vespers). I remember walking with several other women from Benet Guest House to the monastery chapel, being met by Sister Mary Lourdes who showed us how to navigate through the prayer books. Despite feeling very nervous about my first time in a monastery chapel surrounded by nuns, I was captivated. The chanted Psalms were beautiful and rhythmic, the pace was slow with periods of meditative silence. Such a reverent centering way to begin and end each day! I was hooked!
Benedictine contemplative silence, the Liturgy of the Hours, and Lectio Divina were new to me. I was drawn to them like a desert dweller to a pool of water. As Benedictine monk and author, Anselm Grün, explained, “In the last analysis, silence brings about an interior exchange of thrones.” When I let go and abandon myself into God’s loving embrace, I am freed from the tyranny of my own will and worries.
After five years of attending that contemplative retreat each spring, one of the other retreatants asked me if I’d heard about Benedictine Oblates. No, I was clueless. After reading an Oblates of St. Benedict brochure, I met with Sister Maurus. She directed me to Sister Joan Chittister’s books and other authors on The Rule of St. Benedict and Benedictine spirituality. From that point on, I began attending the annual Oblate Retreat each October and made my Oblation. There were inspiring speakers each year, and I had wonderful conversations with other Oblates who lived all over Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and other states.
Benedictine Oblates are woman and men of any Christian denomination who want to seek God and live the Gospel guided by the Rule of St. Benedict as their station in life permits. Our Oblates do not live in our monastery. They do consider us their spiritual home, though, which enables them to serve their family and their church more faithfully. Many are married with families. A few are Protestant clergy. Some made their Oblation to our community many decades ago, and renew their Oblation with us each year. Some are currently in the discerning and formation process before making their final oblation. Some are Inquirers, wondering if being an Oblate is for them.
Benedictine Oblates are not a religious order, but individuals make their oblation (offering) of themselves to a particular monastery. Benedictine Sister Roberta Werner wrote in her book, Reaching for God, “Oblates are an extension of the monastery to a needy world. Their commitment to living Benedictine spirituality makes them a presence for good wherever they are.” Oblates love and support their monastic community, and the monastery is enriched in multiple ways by interaction with Oblates. Our Oblates who live in or near Cullman are able to volunteer their time more frequently to help at the monastery as needed.
If you are curious about learning more or are interested in becoming an Oblate of Sacred Heart Monastery, please look at our webpage under “Oblates.” Besides the book mentioned above by Sister Roberta Werner, OSB, I recommend The Oblate Life, edited by Gervase Holdaway, OSB, published by Liturgical Press.
By Sister Sara Aiden Burress, OSB